Best Pro Gaming Laptops based on 13th Gen Intel Core i9 Processors
At the time of writing there were only a handful of gaming laptops using the latest 13th generation Intel Core i9 processors. Here are the top five gaming laptops based on the HX series and four more entries based on the H-series processors you don’t want to miss when shopping for a pro-gaming laptop.
Pro Gaming Laptops based on Intel Core i9 HX Series Processors
The top three gaming laptops on our list is from ASUS, MSI and LENOVO. This is followed by two more using Intel Core i9 from the same HX-series from ACER and ASUS. We then look at four other pro gaming laptops using Intel Core i9 H-series processors. The 13th Gen Intel Core i9 processors are the fastest from Intel. You can learn about the differences between HX and H-series, in particular, their performances here.
1. ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18
BIGGEST DISPLAY, FASTEST CPU & GPU COMBINATION
With the fastest mobile processor, the 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX and the fastest mobile GPU currently in the market right now, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB Graphics memory, the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 takes the number one spot on our list. Two other gaming laptops share the same CPU and GPU configuration and we had a tough time picking between them but the huge 18-inch Quad HD+ resolution with smooth 240Hz refresh rate and fast 3ms response time puts everything in perspective for us. It can even muster up to 10 hours battery life, which for a gaming laptop is pretty much unheard of.
Together with the quad speakers capable of Dolby Atmos and you have yourself a banging laptop. Not to mention the dual SSD storage with RAID O configuration even faster game loading. If you must know, the laptop achieved 259 FPS in game with COD: Modern Warfare 2, 366FPS playing Fortnite, 414FPS playing Valiant and 285FPS playing COD: Black Ops Cold War at 1080p resolution. When playing Rocket League at the same resolution, it achieved a whooping 517FPS and 600FPS playing Overwatch 2. This is a Pro-level gaming laptop with a 3DMARK Timespy score of 20810.
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- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13980HX Processor
- RAM: 32 GB / Storage: 1 TB SSD x 2
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16 GB
- 260 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- 18-inch Quad HD+ 2560 x 1600p screen / 240 Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio, 3ms response time, NVIDIA G-Sync, Pantone validated, MUX Switch and Optimus
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
-
30.8 x 399 x 294 mm (H x W x D), 3.1kg
2. MSI Raider GE78 HX 17
FASTEST CPU & GPU COMBINATION
Dropping a size to a more conventional 17.3-inch but not in calibre. The MSI Raider GE78 HX is also powered by the 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB graphics memory. The 17.3-inch panel carries a sharp Quad HD+ 2560 x 1600p resolution at a fast 240Hz refresh rate. It does however have only half the memory at 16GB and half the battery life on a full charge with up to 5 hours only.
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- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13980HX Processor
- RAM: 16 GB DDR5 / Storage: 2 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16 GB
- 17.3-inch Quad HD screen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 5 hours
- 28.8 x 380.3 x 298 mm (H x W x D), 3.1kg
Also available
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX Processor
- RAM: 32 GB / Storage: 2 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB
- 17.3-inch Quad HD screen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 5 hours
- 28.8 x 380.3 x 298 mm (H x W x D), 3.1kg
3. LENOVO Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 16
FASTEST GPU
Now in its 8th generation, the LENOVO Legion Pro has made a name for itself and has done it again with Legion Pro 7i Gen 8. The pro gaming laptop has a slightly more portable and modern 16-inch display with Quad HD resolution and 240Hz refresh rate. That and the fact that it is also powered by Intel Core i9-13900HX, second only to Core i9-13980HX and the flagship NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16GB GPU makes this a laptop to take on AAA titles without breaking a sweat. Compared to the top two on our list, the Lenovo only comes with half the storage at 1TB but has 32GB of DDR5 memory for quick app switching and working with big files. A cheaper model is available with the GPU swapped out for NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB.
Search LENOVO Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 16 on Amazon
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX Processor
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16 GB
- 203 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- 16-inch Quad HD screen / 240 Hz refresh rate, 3ms response time, Dolby Vision, NVIDIA G-SYNC, 100% RGB, Pantone certified display
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- 21.95 – 25.9 x 363.4 x 262.15 mm (H x W x D), 2.8kg
Also available:
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX Processor
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB
- 188 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- Quad HD screen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 8 hours
- 21.95 – 25.9 x 363.4 x 262.15 mm (H x W x D), 2.8kg
4. ACER Predator Helios 16
MINI LED DISPLAY
Talking about NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB, the GPU is found in this next entry, the ACER Predator Helios 16. Also a 16-inch gaming laptop, it has a big advantage of the LENOVO Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 16 above. While a standard IPS LCD display option like the one on Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 is available, our pick is the more expensive model with a 16-inch QuadHD mini LED screen with 250Hz refresh rate. You get brighter images with a peak of up to 1000nits, amazing contrast and beautiful colours. This is the only gaming laptop here to featured a MiniLED display. The model with Mini LED also has double the storage at 2TB and double the memory at 32GB. Together with Intel Core i9-13900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB, it is a beast of a gaming laptop.
Search ACER Predator Helios 16 on Amazon
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX Processor
- RAM: 32 GB / Storage: 2 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB
- Quad HD Mini LED screen / 250 Hz refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut
- Battery life: Up to 4 hours
-
27.85 x 357.78 x 277.55 mm (H x W x D), 2.7kg
Also available:
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX Processor
- RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB
- 209 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- Quad HD screen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 4 hours
- 27.85 x 357.78 x 277.55 mm (H x W x D), 2.7kg
5. ASUS ROG Strix G16
WILDCARD: FASTEST CPU
The ROG Strix SCAR 18 tops our list but for a more portable version, pick up the ROG Strix G16. It is our wildcard option with a chart topping Intel Core i9-13980HX but paired with a slower NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8GB. If you want pure power from the CPU but not too fussed about bleeding edge graphics, this is the machine for you. Together it will push 167 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at Full HD. The 16-inch display is QuadHD and is capable of 240 Hz refresh rate. The 10 hours battery life makes this a powerful productivity machine for software developers and content creators. This combination is more affordable but you will have to make do with 16GB memory and 1TB SSD storage.
Search ASUS ROG Strix G16 on Amazon
- Unlocked Intel® Core™ i9-13980HX Processor
- RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB
- 167 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- Quad HD+ screen 2560 x 1600p/ 240 Hz, 3ms, NVIDIA G-Sync, 100% DCI-P3, MUX Switch & Advanced Optimus, Pantone validated
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
- 22.6 x 354 x 264 mm (H x W x D), 2.7kg
Gaming Laptops based on Intel Core i9 H Series Processor
6. MSI Stealth 17 Studio
TOUCHSCREEN
There is a 16-inch version with Intel Core i7 but this MSI Stealth 17 Studio powered by Intel Core i9-13900H is the one to go for. First in our list from the H-series, the Stealth 17 Studio comes with the power of the chart topping NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 with 16GB graphics memory. It even comes equipped with 32GB DDR5 memory so no compromises there. On top of that, the 17.3-inch Quad HD display is a touchscreen, the only gaming laptop on our list to feature a touch interface. Do you really need one, maybe not, but it is there!
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17.3-inch QHD 240Hz Gaming Laptop RTX4080 32GB DD5 / Storage 1TB SSD
- Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16GB
- 17.3-inch Quad HD touchscreen / 240 Hz
7. ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16
Moving one notch down in the graphics department is the ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16. Still powered by Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor with roomy 32GB DDR5 memory, this entry comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 with 12GB Graphics Memory. The 16-inch Quad HD display is capable of 240 Hz and you will appreciate the long battery life of up to 10 hours. How true is that, it comes down to what you actually do on the machine. But you won’t be disappointed with the bigh frame rates when gaming and with 2 tweeters and 2 woofers built in, set your ears free and put yourself in the game. 189FPS on COD: Modern Warfare 2 isn’t too shabby.
Search ASUS ROG Zephyrus M16 on Amazon
- Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor
- RAM: 32 GB / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB
- 189 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- Quad HD screen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
- 19.9 x 355 x 246 mm (H x W x D), 2.1kg
8. ASUS ROG Flow X16
VERSATILE 2-in-1 GAMING LAPTOP, TOUCHSCREEN
ASUS is breaking the notion that gaming laptops have to be bulky, heavy and not very versatile. The ROG Flow X16 is a 2-in-1 with 360 degree hinge making it the most versatile of gaming machines. Weighing just a little over 2kg, almost like the Zephyrus M16, it’s portable too. The compromise here is a slightly slower NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 with 8GB graphics memory but who is checking when you can have up to 165 FPS on COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p. Just like the ROG Zephyrus M16, it is powered by Intel Core i9-13900H and 32GB DDR5 Ram. Plus, as a 2-in-1 it comes with a touch sensor for its display.
Search ASUS ROG Flow X16 on Amazon
- Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor
- RAM: 32 GB DDR5 / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB
- 165 FPS when playing COD: Modern Warfare 2 at 1080p
- Quad HD touchscreen / 240 Hz
- Battery life: Up to 10 hours
- 21.9 x 355 x 243 mm (H x W x D), 2.2kg
9. SAMSUNG Galaxy Book3 Ultra 16
PREMIUM, AMOLED, MOST PORTABLE, BEST BATTERY LIFE
Our last entry is not your typical gaming machine but a premium laptop no doubt. With Intel Core i9-13900H processor and GeForce RTX 4070 graphics with 8GB memory, the Galaxy Book3 Ultra 16 will pass as a Pro Gaming Laptop. It’s sleek and lightweight making it great as a portable workhorse. Without the flashy RGB lighting and gaming exterior, it will pass for business machine too. The one feature that lets stands out from the rest is its big 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that packs 3K resolution (WQXGA+ 2880 x 1800p) and is capable of 120Hz refresh rates with a 16:10 aspect ratio.
Dolby Atmos capable Quad AKG speakers system makes it ideal for entertainment and gaming without a headset. It is not short on connectivity ports too with one USB3.2 Type-A, two Thunderbolt 4 Type-C, one HDMI 2.1 and 3.5mm jack. Finally, the 2MP web cam has a Studio Mode that supports Full HD web calls with AI noise cancelling and Auto Framing. You get all that in a laptop that only weighs 1.79kg, the lightest and slimmest in the group test.
Search Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra 16 on Amazon
- Intel® Core™ i9-13900H Processor
- RAM: 16 GB / Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8 GB
- 16-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3K screen / 120 Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio, Full HD Webcam.
- Battery life: Up to 17.5 hours
- 16.5 x 355.4 x 250.45 mm (H x W x D), 1.79kg
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