Are Gaming Laptops with 8GB VRAM Still Enough in 2025?

How We Tested This

There are no laptop GPUs this year that ship with both 8GB and 16GB VRAM variants, so to isolate VRAM performance, we used the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 with AMD’s powerful Strix Halo processor. This chip delivers graphics performance similar to a 100W RTX 4060 and—crucially—lets us manually allocate how much VRAM the integrated GPU can use. Perfect for testing.

We set the resolution to 2560x1600, as many modern laptops now come with high-resolution displays. We also enabled FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) upscaling, and ran games at Medium to High settings—settings where an RTX 4060 typically delivers around 60 FPS.

What We Found

The biggest takeaway? The problem with 8GB of VRAM isn’t average frame rates—it’s frame consistency. Specifically, 1% lows, the minimum frame rate during heavy in-game moments. These take a noticeable hit in more demanding titles.

1% Lows in Different Games

Games That Struggle

Titles like Monster Hunter Wilds simply require more than 8GB of VRAM, especially during intense combat or large open-world segments. In those moments, laptops with only 8GB VRAM showed:

• Noticeable frame time spikes
• Stuttering in visually complex scenes
• Lower 1% lows even when average FPS seemed acceptable

If you’re gaming casually or playing older or less graphically intensive titles, you likely won’t notice any issue. But for modern AAA games, the 8GB ceiling becomes a bottleneck in more than a few titles.

It Gets Worse on Higher-End Laptops

Interestingly, the problem could be even more pronounced on high-end laptops like those with an RTX 5070. Why? Because more powerful GPUs tempt users to crank settings even higher—and that pushes VRAM limits quickly. A GPU as powerful as a 5070 can run higher settings and resolutions, but if it's stuck with just 8GB of VRAM, it will still hit the same wall.

So, What Should You Buy?

Here’s our take:

• If you play lighter games or mostly rely on Medium settings at 1080p or 1200p: 8GB is fine.
• If you play recent AAA games at high resolutions or Ultra settings: go for more VRAM.

Specifically, look for laptops with GPUs like the RTX 5070 Ti, which comes with 12GB of VRAM—enough to avoid these bottlenecks in modern titles.

Budget Alternatives If You Can’t Afford More VRAM

If you’re on a budget, here are your options:

• Go with a 1920x1200 display.
  Lower resolution means lower VRAM demand, and the image quality drop is often acceptable in exchange for smoother gameplay.
• Buy a cheaper GPU now, and upgrade sooner.
  Instead of spending extra on a GPU that’s still limited by 8GB VRAM, consider a well-priced 4060 or even a 5060 and plan to upgrade your entire system in a couple of years.
• Pick the RTX 5060 over the 5070
  If both laptops have 8GB of VRAM, the extra GPU horsepower on the 5070 won’t help much if you’re still hitting the same VRAM ceiling. Unless the 5070 version comes with more VRAM or other major upgrades, we’d choose the 5060 and put the savings toward a better display, cooling, or storage.

Final Thoughts

8GB of VRAM isn’t obsolete in 2025—but it is becoming increasingly situational. For casual gamers or eSports players, you’re likely fine. But if you play games like Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Wilds, or anything with big open worlds and rich visuals, you’ll want more headroom.

Follow us on YouTube for deeper dives and quick buyer tips, or check out the full breakdown in our latest video. And as always, search here on BestLaptop.Deals to make sure you’re getting the best value possible.