Our Laptop Performance Tests

Game Benchmarks

The average frame rate test is pretty self-explanatory. The goal is to show the average frames per second that the laptop can achieve in each game. While every game is different in terms of optimization, the average frame per second result can give you a rough idea of how a laptop will perform in other games that run on the same graphical engine or have similar hardware requirements. We consider 60fps as 'good' and the minimum for a smooth gaming experience, though some games, like Civilization VI, are playable at lower frame rates because they don't require fast reaction times. The limitation of the average FPS result is that it doesn't show whether there are noticeable stutters or frame rate dips.

The 1% Low test shows the average of the worst 1% frame rate (converted from frame time data) in a particular game. In other words, it gives an idea of how much the game stutters. This testing method has been widely adopted in recent years to replace the conventional way of showing the minimum fps because the minimum fps can be misleading. For example, if a large frame drop only happens once in a game, it isn't representative of the game's overall experience because it only happened once. Averaging out the slowest 1% frame times removes the outlier, giving us a better indication of the gaming experience as a whole. For the 1% Low, you want a number as close to the average fps as possible, as a larger disparity means that the stutter is more noticeable.

The 1% Low test mentioned above is represented in frames per second because it's easy to understand. However, this presents a problem with our scoring because there isn't a 'good' number; the number only matters when we consider the average FPS. This is where the 1% Delta test comes in. It shows the difference in frame time (time between each frame in milliseconds) between the average FPS and the 1% Low, giving us a better idea of how smooth the game feels. For motion to appear fluid, the time between each frame needs to be relatively consistent and free of large spikes. For example, a laptop that can consistently push out 30fps (with the same amount of time between each frame) will feel smoother than one that can push out 60fps on average but with dips into the 20fps range. These dips mean one or several frames need to be held longer, which the user perceives as stutter.

It's normal for the frame time to vary from one frame to the next, but that variability should be minimal, so the lower the number (in milliseconds), the better. A frame time variation of more than 10ms is visually noticeable to most people. We include the frame time graph to make it easier to see frame time spikes. Again, we're looking for consistency, so the line representing the frame time should be as smooth as possible and free of large jumps. Note that the three big frame time spikes in Shadow of the Tomb Raider are scene changes and aren't representative of the laptop's performance.

The 0.1% Low and the 0.1% Low Delta are similar to the 1% Low and 1% Low Delta, but we're only counting the 0.1% slowest frame times. The 0.1% Low fps is roughly the lowest frame rate you'll likely see in the game. These frame rate dips are more noticeable than the 1% Lows and correspond to instances when the game might hang or freeze, rather than just stutter. The idea is the same: you want to look for a higher 0.1% fps and a lower 0.1% delta.

The average FPS on Very Low/Minimum test is the same as the Average FPS test but performed with the lowest graphical settings allowed in each game at 1080p. It's sometimes the only way we can get a game to run on lower-end hardware. The result can be helpful for those looking for a laptop with just enough processing power to run the game smoothly, regardless of the graphical settings. This test doesn't count toward the final score for each game benchmark.

The Average Turn Time is a CPU test and part of Civilization VI's built-in benchmark tool. It measures the time it takes for the computer to work out all the possible moves, so a lower number is better because you spend less time waiting for the AI to make its move. The turn time is generally better on CPUs with more cores and threads, but it's unclear whether there's a limit to the number of cores the game can utilize.