Top 8 Best Laptops with RTX 3080 GPU in 2023 – Asus / Razer / MSI / Alienware

The RTX 3080 series of gpus from nvidia are amongst the most powerful ones based on the new Ampere architecture and with advanced features like Ray Tracing, DLSS.

With the RTX 3080 gpu on a laptop you are sure to get high fps in games, and be able to run heavy tasks like 3d modelling and rendering, 4k video editing etc.

The NVIDIA RTX 3080 graphics card first came out in late 2020. The very first mobile version for laptops was launched in early 2021. Technical specs such as clock speed, and tdp are expected to be much lower for the mobile version, which means it is slower.

The mobile version of the RTX 3080 may never keep up with a desktop's performance, but it definitely performs better than previous mobile RTX generations.

The major difference is the much smaller frame. The mobile version still offers the features that the desktop version has like the NVIDIA Dynamic Boost 2.0 and DLSS.

The same gpu on laptop will perform much less compared to a desktop due to limited cooling and limited power supply (80-150 watts) on a laptop which lowers the clock speed of the gpu.

Some laptop manufacturers like MSI mention the maximum amount of power supplied to the gpu along with the maximum clock speed in the specifications. This gives a rough idea about the performance of the gpu on that particular laptop.

For instance, the MSI GP66 Leopard 10UH-244 laptop provides upto 130W power to the gpu, which pushes the clock speed upto 1635 MHz which is very close to the actual clock speed of 3080 gpu as per nvidia specs. This implies that the gpu would perform well close to its actual potential. However the real performance will very likely vary.

Whereas the Razer Blade 15 RZ09-0367CED3-R3U1 laptop provides only about 95W power to the gpu, and max boost clock upto 1365Mhz. So less supplied power leads to less clock speed and less fps for your games.

So if you are planning to buy a RTX 3080 laptop it would be a good idea to do some research on how much power is made available to the gpu to get an idea of its performance.

For competitive gamers, system performance metrics like fps and response time may decide a win or a loss. A gpu like 3080 ensures that you get the highest fps with no lags or stutters. RTX 3080 with its advanced encoding/decoding capabilities is also great for live streamers.

With the power of RTX 3080 you can also run games and videos in higher resolutions like 1440p or even 4K if your laptop has it or if you connect an external display supporting higher resolutions. However, at present most laptops come with only the standard FHD 1920x1080 resolution, so you would need an external monitor.

For content creators, video editors and 3d designers a laptop with rtx 3080 ensures that you can render frames and generate graphics in the fastest possible time.

RTX 3080 laptops are also great for students and researchers, who need to run computation intensive tasks like neural network simulation, machine learning programs or other deep learning or data science applications.

These laptops are clearly not the cheapest ones with prices starting from $2400 and going all the way upto $4000. Besides powerful cpus, lots of RAM and SSD space, these laptops also offer premium hardware components like high quality audio speakers, wifi 6, bluetooth 5.1 and high refresh rate displays.

Our Top Picks for Best Laptops with RTX 3080 GPU

Below are some of the best laptops with rtx 3080 gpu. Most have 16gb ram and nvme ssd. Laptops with these kinds of high-end hardware is not going to be cheap, so be prepared to spend heartily.

1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo SE 15 Gaming Laptop (GX551QS-XS98)

The ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE is an award-winning gaming laptop by Asus. This model is one of Asus' most powerful laptops for gamers and creators as it features the latest NVIDIA GPU and AMD CPU of 2021 and the ROG ScreenPad Plus secondary display.

Features

• 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) Pantone Validated Display, IPS Type, 300Hz
• 14" ROG ScreenPad Plus
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 16GB DDR6 with ROG Boost
• 5th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor 3.3 GHz (16M Cache, up to 4.6GHz)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth® 5.1 (Dual-band)
• Audio by Dolby Atmos - Two 4 watt speakers with Smart Amp Technology
• Upgradeable RAM, Additional SSD Slot
• AAS Aura Sync Lighting
• Ergonomic 13° Screen Tilt
• 90WH, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion Battery
• Weight: 2.48 kg (5.47 lbs.)

Review

With an arsenal of high-end features, the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE already stands out with its magnesium-aluminide chassis, Per-Key RGB keyboard, and sleek black finish. ROG-exclusive software like the ROG Aura Sync allows customization of the RGB keyboard and other features.

This model's primary display spans at 15.6" and supports rapid refresh rates up to 300Hz. The display is Pantone Validated, which is a standard that guarantees color accuracy. On the other hand, the 14" ROG ScreenPad Plus has a 60Hz refresh rate. The innovative secondary display provides extra screen space for multitasking, gaming, and creative projects.

The latest RTX 3080 GPU has the ROG Boost that powers up to 1645MHz at 130W. It is paired up with the latest Ryzen™ 9 5900HX CPU on this model. The CPU can also be overclocked up to 4.6GHz to deliver more speed for demanding tasks like 3D rendering and video editing.

It has 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, which are conveniently designed for easy upgradeability in future expansions.

2. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 15 Gaming Laptop (G533QS-DS76)

For gamers who dig a flashy and colorful RGB vibe, the Asus ROG Strix SCAR 15 is the gaming laptop to consider. This 2021 model gained multiple awards internationally for its design, innovativeness, and powerful gaming performance.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), IPS-Type Display, 300Hz, 3ms GTG Response Time
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 8GB DDR6 with ROG Boost
• AMD Ryzen™ 7 5800H Processor (16M Cache, up to 4.4GHz)
• 16GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth® 5.1 (Dual-band)
• ROG Optimal Mechanical Keyboard Per-Key RGB, Support NumberPad
• Audio by Dolby Atmos - 2x4W Speaker with Smart Amp Technology
• USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (support Display Port and PD Charger)
• 90WH, 4S1P, 4-cell Li-ion Battery
• Weight: 2.30 kg (5.07 lbs.)

Review

This ROG Strix SCAR model features a 15.6" FHD display. It supports up to 300Hz refresh rates and a fast 3ms response time that can be activated through ROG's exclusive Armoury Crate Software. The software can also be used to control technicalities such as fan speed and CPU power limits to optimize performance.

It comes with a unique yet efficient design with fully customizable RGB lighting on its mechanical keyboard, logo, and bezel through the Aura Sync. ROG added a detachable red keystone on the right-hand side of the laptop that can also be used to customize lighting and performance settings.

The RTX 3080 GPU and the Ryzen 7 CPU is a great combo for competitive gaming as it delivers consistent fps at 1080p. It also performs well in content creation among various apps with the CPU having an overclocking option of up to 4.4GHz for a boost in speed.

3. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Gaming Laptop

The Razer Blade 15 Advanced model is a complete upgrade from the Razer Blade 15 base model. This gaming laptop is a delight for gamers and creators as it is packed with the latest hardware and exclusive Razer™ features.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080), 360Hz, 100% sRGB, 4.9mm Bezel
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 8GB DDR6 VRAM
• 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10875H 8 Cores (2.3GHz/5.1GHz)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 2933MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• Per-Key RGB, N-Key Rollover Keyboard
• Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210, 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.2
• Built-in 80 W-Hr Battery
• THX Spatial Audio
• IR 720p Web Camera
• CNC Aluminum Frame, Anodized Black Finish
• Thunderbolt 3 / USB-Charging
• Weight: 2.01 kg (4.40 lbs.)

Review

This Razer Blade 15 Advanced model features one of the best displays in this list with a 15.6" display that supports rapid refresh rates of up to 360Hz. It is incredibly color accurate for a gaming laptop with a 100% sRGB color gamut display, which is a deal-breaker for content creators.

To preserve battery life for longer use, NVIDIA's Optimus tech automatically adjusts this model's refresh rates from 360Hz to 60Hz when not plugged in. It can be manually changed to run at 360Hz full time through the settings.

For gaming and content creation, this laptop performs really well with the 8-core Intel i7 CPU and the latest RTX™ 3080 GPU. The CPU can be overclocked up to 5.1GHz. It has 32GB RAM which may be overkill for some but necessary for rendering large files or other memory-intensive tasks.

Design-wise, it features a simple yet sleek look with sharp edges, aluminum chassis, and the illuminated green Razer logo. It has a touch of RGB that is fully customizable from its mechanical Razer Chroma™ keyboard.

4. Dell Alienware m15 R4 Gaming Laptop

Alienware is a brand dedicated to gaming, owned by Dell, a multinational computer company. Their m15 R4 series is a T3 and a Tom's Guide awardee for the best gaming laptop in 2021. This Alienware m15 R4 model is the latest in the series that mainly has an upgraded GPU and CPU.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, 300Hz, 3ms Response Time, 100% sRGB Color Gamut
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 8GB GDDR6
• 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 2933MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• 720p at 30fps HD RGB Camera with Digital-Array Microphones in Camera Assembly
• Killer Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 802.11ax, 2x2 and Bluetooth 5.1
• 4-way (8W) Stereo Speakers
• Windows 10 Home
• Weight: 5.5 lbs.

Review

With a 15.6" thin-bezel screen, the Alienware m15 R4 delivers rapid refresh rates of up to 300Hz, a fast 3ms response time, and a 100% sRGB color gamut display. Both gamers and creators can take advantage of the color accuracy and smooth motions that this laptop is capable of.

The main upgrades include the RTX™ 3080 GPU and the 8-core Intel® i7 CPU. It is significantly faster in terms of rendering and more immersive for gaming, but it may reach high temperatures when used for long periods.

To optimize performance and maintain cool temperatures, Alienware's exclusive Command Center enables specific settings for managing thermals, lighting, etc. It comes in a Lunar Light (white) color-way with a per-key RGB mechanical keyboard that looks clean and attractive, especially for RGB enthusiasts.

5. MSI GE66210 GE66 Raider Gaming Laptop

A PCMAG.COM 2021 Reader's Choice award winner and a T3 platinum awardee, the MSI GE66 Raider boasts top-tier style and performance. This model is the latest in MSI's GE66 Raider Series, and it is the first of the few gaming laptops in this list that supports the new Wi-Fi 6E technology.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, 92% sRGB, 300Hz, IPS-Level
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 16GB GDDR6
• 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• 1080p at 30fps FHD Type Webcam
• Killer Gb LAN (up to 2.5G), 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Per-Key RGB Gaming Keyboard by SteelSeries
• Duo Wave Speaker Design by Dynaudio System
• Windows 10 Home
• 99.9Whr Battery Capacity
• Weight: 2.38 kg

Review

All of MSI's GE66 Raider gaming laptops have 15.6" screen displays, and this model is the FHD variant that supports rapid refresh rates of up to 300Hz. It is specifically built for gaming, but may be used for content creation as well since it has a 92% sRGB color gamut display and a powerful Intel® i7 CPU.

With the 16GB RTX™ 3080 and the 8-Core Intel® i7 CPU, it powers through popular games and apps at high-to-ultra settings with ease. Like most gaming laptops, it tends to build up heat and create loud fan noises when pushed to its full capacity. With MSI's exclusive Dragon Center software, users can change profiles that control the laptop's thermals and CPU frequencies.

It has a 1080p HD webcam which is better than most webcams in a gaming laptop. One of the deal-breaking features this model offers is the Wi-Fi 6E support which will be the next standard Wi-Fi technology in the coming days. As for the looks, it looks clean and stylish with its chiseled edges and titanium blue finish.

6. MSI GS66 Stealth Gaming Laptop (10UH-091)

The MSI GS66 Stealth Series won multiple awards internationally for its low-profile design, efficient cooling, and powerful gaming performance. This model features the latest GPU available in 2021 paired up with an Intel® CPU.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, 300Hz, IPS-Level, 3ms Response Time
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3080 Max-Q 16GB GDDR6
• 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 2TB PCI-e NVME M.2 SSD
• 720p at 30fps IR HD Type Webcam
• Per-Key RGB Gaming Keyboard by SteelSeries
• Sound by Dynaudio and Duo Wave Speaker
• Killer Gb LAN (up to 2.5G), 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6E
• Bluetooth 5.2
• 99.9Whr Battery Capacity
• Windows 10 Pro
• Cooler Boost Trinity+ with 0.1mm Thin Blades
• USB 3.2 Gen2/DP/Thunderbolt™ 3 with PD Charging
• Weight: 2.1 kg

Review

This MSI GS66 Stealth model has a 15.6" FHD Display with a 300Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time that all add up to smooth motions for both e-sports and content creation. This model supports the latest Wi-Fi 6E technology and has expandable SSD and RAM slots, making this laptop ready for future upgrades.

A notable feature of this model is their duo wave speaker, which exceptionally sounds well for a gaming laptop. The SteelSeries per-key RGB keyboard on this laptop is not as bright as other MSI gaming laptops to stick to its sleek and stealthy look.

Expectedly, with its powerful specs, this laptop generates a lot of heat when the Intel® i7 CPU is overclocked and the RTX™ 3080 GPU uses features like DLSS and Ray Tracing. MSI came up with a convenient way to help control temperatures manually with the Dragon Center software and the fan speed button on the keyboard.

7. MSI GP66 Leopard Gaming Laptop (10UH-244)

Just like its name, the MSI GP66 Leopard adapts a covert feel and design for a gaming laptop. The GP66 Leopard Series not only gained international awards and recognition for its looks, but also for its overall performance in gaming and creative tasks.

Features

• 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) FHD Display, 240Hz, 3.5ms Response Time, IPS-Level
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6
• 10th Gen Intel® Core i7-10870H (8-Core, 16MB Cache, up to 5.0GHz Max Turbo Frequency)
• 32GB (16x2) DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 1TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD
• 720p at 30fps HD Type Webcam
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth® 5.1
• 65Whr Battery Capacity
• Per-Key RGB Gaming Keyboard by SteelSeries
• Windows 10 Home
• Weight: 2.38 kg

Review

This particular GP66 Leopard model by MSI has a 15.6" FHD that supports up to 240Hz refresh rates. The display is very responsive with a 3.5ms response time, making FPS gaming on the laptop more competent.

This model doesn't have the longest battery life at 65Whr, but considering its high-end RTX™ 3080 GPU and Intel® i7 CPU, it is fairly decent for a portable machine. Gaming at high-ultra settings on AAA titles can ramp up temperatures and fan noises. With MSI's Cooler Boost Tech and Dragon Center software, CPU and fan speed can be set to optimize performance.

It has 32GB RAM that speeds up to 3200MHz, which allows the laptop to support workloads or tasks that eat a lot of memory. Like most gaming laptops, this model's webcam is only 720p. Its keyboard is also powered by SteelSeries, which adds a slice of RGB for this sleek and discreet MSI gaming laptop.

8. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 Gaming Laptop (G733QSA-XS99)

The Asus ROG Strix SCAR Series is a multi-award-winning roster of gaming laptops that have been well recognized for their product design and powerful gaming performance. This particular model has the largest display in the series, and it is loaded with high-end specs and features.

Features

• 17.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) Display, 360Hz, IPS-Level, 3ms Response Time, 100% sRGB
• NVIDIA® GeForce RTX 3080 16GB GDDR6 with ROG Boost
• 5th Gen AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX Processor 3.3 GHz (16M Cache, up to 4.6 GHz)
• 32GB DDR4 3200MHz RAM
• 2TB PCI-e NVMe M.2 SSD in Raid 0 (1TB + 1TB)
• ROG Optical Mechanical Per-Key RGB Keyboard
• FHD 1080p at 60fps External Camera
• 2x 4W Speaker with Smart Amp Technology
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth® 5.1 (Dual Band)
• Windows 10 Professional
• USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C (support Display Port and PD Charger), Multiple Type-A USB 3.2 Gen1 Ports
• Weight: 2.70 kg (5.95 lbs.)

Review

This ROG Strix SCAR gaming laptop features a 17.3" FHD with a 360Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time. It is incredibly color accurate with 100% sRGB and 75.35% Adobe color spectrum features. These screen specs give the best performance for e-sports and content creation on the go.

It has a very unique design and is a haven for RGB enthusiasts. It has an RGB light bar, logo, bezel glow, and opti-mechanical keyboard that are all fully customizable through Asus' improved Aura Creator software. The featured Keystone is also improved on this model, and it is mainly used for securely storing data and personalized laptop profiles.

This model has a Ryzen 9 CPU. Its base clock is 3.3GHz at 59.3W and it can be overclocked up to 4.6GHz at 79.8W peak for highly demanding tasks. The 16GB RTX 3080 GPU gives the ultimate gaming performance for a laptop, but temperatures may get higher than average, especially with the ROG Boost activated.

Conclusion

Laptops with RTX 3080 are mostly gaming laptops and they are pricey. People purchase gaming laptops mostly for portability and convenience. As a result the demand for gaming laptops has been rising in recent years. Such powerful laptops are also used for many other tasks like video editing, 3d modeling and rendering, engineering cad works etc.

However the price to performance ratio might not be that great with high end gaming laptops. For reasons mentioned earlier laptops even with the most superior hardware usually have inferior performance to desktops with similar hardware. In other words you might end up paying more for less performance.

So you might want to carefully consider your needs first. If you just looking for regular casual gaming then a budget gaming laptop with a gtx 1650 would not be a bad idea, provided that you have a separate desktop for more serious competitive gaming. Now a days even integrated gpus like Intel Iris Xe can give decent gaming performance for low demanding games.

And if you are going for a super expensive $2000+ gaming laptop with RTX 3080 or above, then you should be aware of the limitations of the system at the same time.