Gaming laptops can be expensive, with high-end models costing over ₦1 million. However, some cheap laptops in Nigeria are best for gaming.
A cheap gaming laptop under ₦200,000 can still perform well for the latest games if you manage your expectations and are willing to play at lower settings.
When looking for an affordable gaming laptop, you’ll want to pay attention to the graphics card, processor, RAM, display, heat management, and storage.
Entry-level dedicated GPUs like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti are a good fit for cheaper laptops. You’ll also want an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1080p display.
Good cooling is important to avoid throttling. And having at least a 256GB SSD for the boot drive will help with loading times.
You may need to sacrifice some screen size, RGB lighting, or build quality to get the performance you want at a lower price.
But you can still get a capable 1080p gaming machine to handle esports titles and AAA games at low to medium settings.
This guide will explore the 10 best cheap gaming laptops available in Nigeria for under ₦200,000.
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10 Best Cheap Gaming Laptops in Nigeria 2023
Here are the best cheap gaming laptops in Nigeria:
1. Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 line has long provided excellent budget gaming performance, and the latest models are no exception.
For around ₦150,000, you can get a configuration with an 11th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, and a GTX 1650 GPU.
This combination is great for 1080p gaming at medium settings. Games like Valorant, CS:GO, Fortnite, and GTA V will run smoothly.
The 15.6-inch IPS display has decent color accuracy and response times. With the matte finish, glare won’t be too distracting.
The keyboard is punchy and responsive, ideal for games that require quick reflexes. The fans get noticeably loud when gaming, which is expected for a laptop focused on performance.
Build quality is a step down from more premium brands, but it is still acceptable. The silver/black chassis has a nice aesthetic.
Port selection is good with HDMI, USB-A, and USB-C. The battery life is also impressive for a gaming laptop at around 8 hours of light use.
Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 hits the value sweet spot if you’re shopping on a tight budget.
2. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
HP’s Pavilion gaming line is another reliable budget option, competing closely with Acer’s offerings.
One recommended configuration includes a 10th gen Core i5, GTX 1650 Ti, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, and a 15.6 inch 1080p screen.
This hits all the right notes for entry-level gaming with good performance and some storage flexibility.
The keyboard and trackpad are satisfactory. The speakers produce decent sound for gaming and media consumption.
Design-wise, the green and black model has an aggressive gamer aesthetic if you like that styling. It’s also reasonably portable at just over 2kg.
A drawback is that the display only has a 60Hz refresh rate, which is low by gaming standards. But you can always connect to an external monitor.
Cooling is also not the best, so the fans get loud when pushed. Still, at around ₦145,000, the HP Pavilion delivers solid 1080p performance for popular esports and AAA titles. It’s easy to upgrade later as well.
3. Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Moving up a tier in price, the Dell G15 offers a more premium build and performance. It’s configurable with up to an 11th gen Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and RTX 3050 Ti GPU within a ₦180,000 budget.
This hardware combination can comfortably run any game at 60fps+ on high settings at 1080p.
The keyboard has deep travel and satisfying feedback. The 15.6 inch 120Hz screen has good color coverage and minimal bezels.
Dell’s new thermal design keeps the laptop cool and quiet even under heavy loads. The chassis is made of plastic but feels very sturdy.
Battery life is impressive at over 5 hours of regular use. There are many ports, including USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet.
While the RAM and storage are upgradeable, the GPU isn’t easily replaceable. But the RTX 3050 Ti will handle the latest AAA games for at least a couple years.
If you want better performance than entry-level gaming laptops, the Dell G15 is an excellent choice.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Gaming 3 15ACH6 model packs AMD power into an affordable package.
It’s configurable up to a Ryzen 5 5600H CPU, GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD. This hardware provides smooth 60fps gameplay in most titles at medium settings.
Thanks to Lenovo’s cooling system using dual fans and heat pipes, thermal is decent. The chassis offers a clean, minimalist look. Battery life is about 5 hours for general use. The 15.6 inch 120Hz display is FreeSync enabled to prevent screen tearing.
Downsides include a dim 250 nit screen and mediocre speakers. The keyboard is also not very comfortable with shallow key travel.
But for around ₦170,000, you get reliable 1080p gaming from the AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia graphics. It’s a great value option and worth considering over Intel-based laptops.
5. MSI GF63 Thin
For those wanting to stick with Intel and Nvidia components, the MSI GF63 Thin is a leading contender.
It packs up to an 11th gen Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and RTX 3050 for under ₦200,000. This hardware can run the most demanding games at 60+ fps on high settings at 1080p.
A standout feature is the 144Hz refresh rate display, which makes gameplay feel extremely smooth and responsive.
The MSI Cooler Boost 5 thermal system prevents throttling. Build quality is excellent, with a sleek, lightweight aluminum design at just 1.86kg.
The 720p webcam and speakers are very mediocre. And the keyboard has shallow travel, even for a gaming laptop.
But these are acceptable tradeoffs, considering the powerful specs you’re getting for the price.
If you want great performance now and high refresh rate gaming for future titles, the MSI GF63 Thin is highly recommended as one of Nigeria’s best cheap gaming laptops.
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6. ASUS TUF Gaming F15
The ASUS TUF Gaming series is purpose-built for affordability and reliability. The F15 model includes up to an Intel Core i5 CPU, GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for around ₦165,000. This hardware is perfect for e-sports and AAA gaming at 60fps on medium settings.
The military-grade aluminum chassis is very durable, living up to the TUF name. The battery lasts over 8 hours for productivity.
There are plenty of useful ports, including USB-C. The keyboard is comfortable with decent key travel and RGB backlighting.
Thermals are also excellent thanks to the auto-cleaning cooling system and anti-dust technology.
While the bezels are thick, the 15.6-inch 1080p screen is bright enough for gaming. The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 delivers solid specs and performance at this price.
If you need a tough, reliable gaming laptop, it’s easily one of the best options under ₦200,000.
7. Gigabyte G5 KD
Gigabyte is lesser known for gaming laptops but makes some compelling budget models like the G5 KD. It packs an 11th gen Core i5, RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for around ₦185,000.
This hardware offers better 1080p gaming performance than budget 1650 and 1660 Ti rigs.
The upgradeability is excellent, with accessible SSD and RAM slots. Thermals are decent but get noisy under load.
Battery life lasts over 5 hours for general use thanks to the 94Wh battery. The keyboard has satisfying travel and RGB backlighting.
While the screen only has a 60Hz refresh rate, the 1080p IPS panel is vibrant and colorful. The webcam and speakers are predictably low quality.
But for the price, the performance you’re getting with the RTX 3050 Ti and 16GB RAM is superb.
The Gigabyte G5 KD delivers excellent 1080p gaming power if you can stretch your budget.
8. Lenovo Legion 5
If you can spend around ₦195,000, the Lenovo Legion 5 is one of the best gaming values available. The AMD configuration has a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, RTX 3050 Ti GPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD.
This hardware crushes 1080p gaming and can comfortably run the most demanding titles on high settings over 60fps.
The 240Hz refresh rate display is blazingly fast with incredible response times. The minimalist chassis is made of sturdy plastic.
Thermals are good thanks to Lenovo’s Coldfront cooling system. The large 80Wh battery lasts nearly 6 hours. And you get a solid port selection with USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet.
With the powerful 8-core Ryzen CPU and RTX 3050 Ti graphics, the Lenovo Legion 5 easily handles gaming and multitasking.
If you can find it under ₦200k, it’s one of the fastest cheap gaming laptops.
9. Razer Blade 15 Base Model
The only way to get Razer gaming performance for under ₦200k is with the base model Blade 15. But it still packs a punch with a 10th gen Core i7 processor, GTX 1660 Ti GPU, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and 144Hz 1080p display for around ₦195,000.
The design and build quality are excellent because Razer makes it. The lightweight unibody aluminum chassis looks slick at just 0.78 inches thick.
The RGB keyboard is very comfortable and satisfying. Battery life is about 6 hours for web browsing and office work. There are even a few rare ports like Thunderbolt 3.
The GTX 1660 Ti can handle any modern AAA game at 60+ fps on high settings at 1080p. And the 144Hz screen makes gameplay incredibly fluid.
If you want Razer’s premium quality and performance without breaking the bank, the base model Blade 15 is an amazing value for under ₦200k.
10. Dell Alienware x15 R1
At the very top of a ₦200k budget sits Dell’s thin and powerful Alienware x15 gaming laptop. It squeezes in an 11th gen Core i7 processor, RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and 165Hz 1080p screen.
This is an excellent combination for high frame rate 1080p gaming on high to ultra settings.
Understated aesthetics give the x15 a lean, professional look compared to traditional gaming laptops.
Yet the performance is uncompromising thanks to Alienware’s Cryo-tech cooling technology. Battery life is also decent at over 5 hours of light usage. And the keyboard offers deep travel with per-key RGB lighting.
For a thin 15-inch laptop, the x15 R1 delivers desktop-like gaming performance. If you want a powerful rig for fast-paced shooters and racing games, it’s one of the best options for under ₦200k.
Just be prepared for loud fans when gaming. But that comes with the territory for such powerful specs in a thin chassis.
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To Sum Up
Even with a budget under ₦200,000, there are many great cheap gaming laptops in Nigeria. Models from Acer, HP, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, ASUS, Gigabyte, and Razer can deliver good 1080p gaming performance.
Focus on getting at least a GTX 1650 GPU, 8GB of RAM, Core i5 processor, and 1080p display.
Prioritize the graphics card above all else, as this will determine gaming performance more than any other component.
But also ensure you get at least 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a good battery life of around 5 hours.
Avoid compromising too much on the display, keyboard, or thermal design, as those impact the gaming experience.
Aim for a 120Hz refresh rate screen for smooth, high FPS gaming. And select a model from a trusted brand with decent reviews.
With the best cheap gaming laptops now more capable than ever, you have many affordable options for immersive PC gaming in Nigeria.
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