7 Best Laptops That Can Run GTA 5 with Mods in 2023

We know how frustrating it can get to play GTA 5 on your old laptop with neverending lags and stutters. No matter how low you set the graphics and turn off all the background apps, the game simply seems to be stuck on a neverending lag-loop.

If you find yourself in this situation, you’re probably thinking about finally buying a new gaming machine. But how do you pick the best gaming laptop for GTA 5 with so many options on the market? Don’t despair, that is exactly what we are here for. 

To help you out, we’ve listed some of the best options available today that can run GTA 5 smoothly, even with mods. Moreover, we’ll also discuss the most important things you need to keep in mind before finally making your pick.

Excited? We know we are. 

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

For a PC or laptop to be able to run GTA 5 without any lag, it needs to have the minimum specifications listed in the table below. However, if you want to play GTA 5 online or use mods, then aim for a laptop with at least the Rockstar Games’ system requirements. Our recommended specs are good enough if you’re also looking for a laptop to play Skyrim and other similar games.

Important note: You’ll probably notice that the minimum and recommended specs are not identical to those from the official page. That’s because our specs table is updated according to today’s standards to ensure you get the best value for money from a new gaming laptop.

Top 7 Gaming Laptops for GTA 5

We don’t want to keep you guessing any longer. Let’s unveil the best laptops for GTA 5.

1. Great Option from MSI: MSI Thin

MSI Thin

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$845.00

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If you want an amazing GTA 5 laptop, but aren’t in the mood for a real-life Union Depository heist, you should check out MSI Thin. The laptop’s got some serious bling for the price.

Under the hood, Thin’s packing a 12th Gen. i7 and the latest RTX 4050 GPU. If I had to translate the speed in GTA 5 terms, I’d say it’s a pretty neat Pfister 811.

Not only do you get to play GTA 5 and AAA titles at high settings and revved-up fps, you’ll also enjoy gorgeous visuals on a 15.6” crispy and contrasty panel with high refresh rate. 

The portability of this machine excels among the gaming machines. With 7 hours of juice and only 4 lbs of weight, it’s a breeze to carry to the office or campus and sneak in a round or two of gaming.

MSI is a legit daredevil, even if the design looks a bit outdated. To me, it’s not an issue because of all the specs you get, but to each its own.

Overall, if you want a powerful ride on a super-portable machine, MSI Thin GF63 is your jam. At this price, it’s one of the top picks for GTA 5.

2. Strong Contender from ASUS: ASUS TUF Gaming F15

ASUS TUF Gaming F15

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 7 Hours

$849.99

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Maybe you want a little more pimped-up laptop for GTA 5. If that’s the case, ASUS TUF Gaming is a modern, sleek and powerful beast to check out.

ASUS’ mid-range gaming ninja looks fierce in a polished chassis with yellow-lit keyboard. In terms of looks, this is a clear and modern gamer, but elegant enough to take to more formal environments.

Under the hood, TUF’s packing a 12th Gen. i5 and RTX 3050, capable of producing great fps at high settings while you cruise the streets of Los Santos.

Add to that a fast, 15.6” elevated display with a 144Hz refresh rate, and the fun can begin!

Similarly to MSI Thin, this machine’s also pretty portable: I got around 7 hours of unplugged battery life, which is awesome for any gaming laptop. With 4.8 lbs of weight, TUF Gaming is one of the rare laptops you can easily carry around.

The heat of San Andreas will transfer onto this laptop as well, as the beast can get hot under duress. So I’d get a cooling pad, just to be on the safe side.

But if you’d enjoy a sleek, gorgeous and capable laptop for GTA 5, the very affordable ASUS TUF Gaming definitely fits the bill.

3. Best for Students: Acer Nitro 5

Acer Nitro 5

• CPU: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 6 Hours

$693.00

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Acer Nitro 5 has been a popular choice for years now, and for a good reason. For a very reasonable price, this GTA 5 laptop delivers great performance in a sleek, sturdy body.

The machine runs on a 12th Gen. i5 and a capable RTX 3050. In other words, this is more than enough power for GTA 5, but also most of college software.

Similarly to ASUS TUF, Nitro 5 sports an elevated, 15.6” display that’s awesome for focusing on gameplay or schoolwork. It’s also a very fast panel, for all those fast maneuvers and crazy car chases.

Nitro 5 is a sturdy laptop with a sleek chassis, enhanced by Acer’s signature red keyboard. I find the keys quite comfy and tactile — which comes in handy for long typing sessions.

The main concern with Nitro 5 is the RAM: 8GB is the minimum for GTA 5 and most school-related tasks. Luckily, you can upgrade it, and I’d add a few bucks and get additional 8GB right away.

Nitro doesn’t escape the fate of many gaming laptops in terms of portability. 6 hours of battery is quite acceptable for campus life, but 5.5 lbs of weight might be a little too much for some.

Still, I believe many students will find Acer Nitro 5 a great laptop for GTA 5 and studying. Powerful specs, fast display and sturdy body make it an option well-worth considering.

Watch our Acer Nitro 5 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

4. Play GTA 5 with Mods at Max Settings: ASUS ROG Strix G16

ASUS ROG Strix G16

• CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-13650HX
• RAM: 16GB DDR5
• Storage: 512GB SDD
• Display: 16-inch FHD (1920 x 1200)
• GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
• Battery: Up to 8 Hours

$1,247.64

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So here’s a real treat — the one laptop for GTA 5 that ticks so many boxes you just have to consider it. ROG Strix G16 is powerful, gorgeous, and portable.

If you want to play all the mods and max out settings in GTA 5, Strix’s latest-and-greatest 13th Gen. i7 and an RTX 4060 are up to the task. ROG laptops consistently land on the top of performance lists, so expect a lag-free gameplay with high fps.

Add to that 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and you can use this laptop for other AAA titles, photo and video editing, or 3D modeling.

I am a fan of Strix’s 16” hi-res panel that also happens to be one of the most color-accurate displays on gaming laptops. Needless to say, the visuals look stunning.

If you’re a gamer at heart, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the RGB fiesta on Strix’s fancy, sleek chassis.

8 hours of juice are impressive for any gaming laptop and awesome for long gaming sessions (because, why bother with a charger?).

The potential downsides include the overheating — the temp is lower than, say, on ROG Zephyrus, but it’s there, so I’d get a cooling pad.

And, of course, a 16” laptop is bound to be heavier, though I consider 5.5 lbs of weight to be quite reasonable for a laptop this powerful.

If you’re a GTA 5 pro, or stream your gameplay — and you have the budget — ROG Strix G16 is the one laptop to check out.

5. Best 17″ Gaming Laptop: Sager NP7881D

Sager NP7881D

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i9-13900HX
• RAM: 32GB DDR5
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$1,579.00

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If you want fast & furious performance with awesome visuals, Sager is the GTA 5 laptop for you. This Clevo laptop, though not widely known, brings immense value for money.

The ultimate beast of this list sports a super-powerful 13th Gen. i9 HX processor and an RTX 4060. Combined with whopping 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this is a legit performance monster. In terms of GTA 5, you’ll be getting smooth, crazy-good gameplay with high fps.

The fun doesn’t stop there: Sager also has a 17.3”, vivid, color-accurate panel. Just imagine all the cars, streets and action on this sort of panel — let me tell you, it looks amazing.

I also like Sager’s design. The matte chassis looks like Razer Blade, with distinctly green-lit keyboard. In my opinion, the machine is what you’d call sophisticated gamer.

Sure enough, this sort of power comes at a cost. Sager is the heaviest laptop on the list, weighing 6.3 lbs. I don’t know about you, but to me this is not that easy to carry around — even if it is a 17” laptop.

The battery lasts around 5 hours. It’s not the worst out there — Alienware is known to last only 1-2 hours — but make sure you have a charger.

Overall, though, if you want the unparalleled performance, Sager is the laptop for GTA 5 – and so much more — that will last you a good number of years and provide amazing gaming experience.

6. Best Value: HP Victus

HP Victus

• CPU: 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$1,049.99

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If you find yourself torn between MSI Thin and ASUS TUF, then HP Victus might just be the thing you need. This laptop for GTA 5 has great specs, compact design, and solid portability.

Victus runs on a newer Ryzen 7 processor and a very capable RTX 3050 Ti, which outranks 3050 in ASUS TUF. This combo provides strong fps in GTA 5 at medium-to-high settings, and ensures a lag-free gameplay.

What I really like about Victus is its design. This is not your typical gaming laptop — it’s very compact, elegant, polished and works great in any environment.

Plus, the machine comes with a full-size keyboard and an enlarged, precise trackpad, so it’s awesome for typing and navigation (though you’ll probably use a mouse).

Above the lower dock, you’ll see an elevated, slim display on one-hinge mechanism. The panel is hi-res with a high refresh rate, and looks very crisp and vivid.

To be fair, there is some screen wobble if you occasionally bump on a desk, though it’s not alarming.

As for portability, 5 lbs is still a reasonable weight for a laptop this big. On the other hand, the battery life could have been better — I got around 5 hours of gaming.

For the price, HP Victus is one polished, powerful laptop for GTA 5 that will efficiently change gears and endure whatever you throw at it.

7. Cheapest Gaming Laptop for GTA 5: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

• CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600H
• RAM: 8GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$658.00

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A good GTA 5 laptop doesn’t have to be expensive. Take Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 — it’s a powerful machine with sleek design and great display that costs significantly less than other laptops on this list.

Packing a newer Ryzen 5 and an RTX 3050, this machine goes head-to-head with the likes of Acer Nitro 5 and ASUS TUF in terms of performance. You’ll get strong fps and beautiful gameplay even with more demanding titles than GTA 5.

You’ll be enjoying the scenic landscapes and mob upheavals on a 15.6” screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. I love the contrast and saturation on this panel — especially for this price — and frankly, you don’t see much of a difference compared to 144Hz displays.

I’m a sucker for Lenovo designs. It’s one of the rare laptops that looks both elegant and edgy, while remaining inconspicuous.

Plus, Lenovo’s got some of the best keyboards on the market, and IdeaPad Gaming 3 is no different. The keys are tactile and just at the right height.

My Lenovo goes for around 5 hours on a single charge, which isn’t too bad for a budget gaming laptop. However, if you’re out and about, definitely bring a charger.

Though IdeaPad comes with a DDR5 RAM, I’d upgrade the existing 8GB to at least 16GB to future-proof the machine and boost performance.

For the price, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a sweet deal for a GTA 5 laptop. It’s a capable, elegant machine that can do a lot.

Buying Guide for Gaming Laptops that can Run GTA 5 in 2023

To ensure smooth gameplay during your criminal endeavors in GTA 5, we’ve listed some key factors you should consider before making a purchase:

1. Get a High-Performance CPU 

You don’t necessarily need the mightiest gaming machine to run GTA 5. That’s because the game has been around for nearly a decade now, and any modern gaming laptop with decent specs should be able to handle it just fine. But since you’re spending money on a new laptop, it’s worth investing in something more capable, especially if you want to run the game with mods. 

That being said, even the most affordable options from our list are packed with at least a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor or an AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent. We believe these are the best value-for-money CPUs you can get, not just for gaming but for other moderately demanding applications too. 

But if you want to be ready for the upcoming GTA 6, going for the latest generation of Intel Core i7 is a good idea. 

2. Pick a Good Dedicated GPU 

Don’t skimp on a good dedicated GPU if you want your computer to handle GTA 5 and other AAA titles. The best gaming laptops these days are usually packed with the latest generation of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series graphics cards. These machines kill with most video games at the highest presets, but they also cost more.  

The good news is that for GTA 5, your laptop will perform great even with the more affordable RTX 30-series graphics cards. 

3. Don’t Forget About RAM and Storage 

When it comes to gaming and running multiple apps in the background, having more RAM can massively improve the computer’s performance. On that note, it seems like 16GB RAM is slowly becoming the gold standard for modern gaming laptops, not just for gaming but for other moderately demanding software too. 

GTA 5 is a chunky game, and installing the base version requires around 65GB of storage. When you add mods into the mix, the storage space can stack up pretty quickly. That’s why going for at least 512GB SSD is recommended. 

4. Choose a High-Quality Display 

For an immersive gaming experience, a powerful hardware combo should go along with a high-quality display. Picking the size (14–18 inches) and resolution (FHD/QHD/UHD and more) depends on your personal preference and budget, and most modern gaming laptops have a good display. 

For the best balance between price, portability, and visual quality, we recommend picking something with a 15.6-inch FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) display. While a higher refresh rate (120Hz or more) is not necessary for GTA 5, it’s still nice to have if you also want to play first-person shooters and other fast-paced video games.  

5. Get an Efficient Cooling System 

Cooling systems play a crucial role in the optimal performance of laptops, especially while gaming or running other resource-intensive apps. So to avoid overheating issues or performance throttling, make sure to pick a laptop with an efficient cooling mechanism. 

If you’re having doubts about a specific model, the best you can do is check the reviews and user’s comments about the laptop’s heat management.  

6. Set Your Budget 

Setting a budget before diving into the recommendations is necessary because pricing on the best gaming machines can get a bit crazy. Once you know how much you can spend on a new gaming device, choosing the right option should be easier. 

Luckily, GTA 5 is not as hardware intensive as it used to be when it was released. And yes, there are great mid-range gaming laptops under $1500 that can run the game smoothly. 

FAQs about Gaming Laptops for GTA 5

Verdict

As you probably realized by now, there is no such thing as the single best gaming laptop for GTA 5. The ultimate decision should accommodate your budget, needs, and preferences. Luckily, the game is not as hardware-intensive as it was when it was released nearly a decade ago. 

That being said, most modern gaming laptops packed with decent specs should run GTA 5 smoothly. However, if you want to be ready when they finally release the next series of the franchise (GTA 6), investing in something more powerful is worth considering. 

Still unable to make your pick? Here is a short overview: 

• If you’re looking for blazing performance and a stutter-free experience while playing GTA 5 at max settings, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 is our favorite pick. 
• As a more affordable option with awesome specs, we recommend the MSI Thin.
• But if you’re looking for the cheapest gaming laptop that can still run GTA 5 smoothly, we couldn’t think of anything better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. 

Finally, if our recommendations are above your budget, we’ve listed some affordable options for just under $800 that should run GTA 5 and other older titles at satisfactory FPS. But if you feel like you need more information before finally making your pick, perhaps our comprehensive laptop buying guide could help. 

And now over to you, which laptop are you getting and why? Let us know in the comment section below.