HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX for Gaming: Realistic Expectations and Alternatives

Introduction

When it comes to gaming laptops, the HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX is a budget-friendly option that can handle medium to heavy games, but what about its performance with demanding titles like WWE 2K17 and Grand Theft Auto V on high settings?

Performance and Limitations of the HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX

The HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX features a Nvidia GeForce GTX 940M GPU, which is part of the older GTX 900 series. This GPU, while capable, is not designed for the most demanding game scenarios. It can certainly handle a wide range of games at decent settings, but achieving 60 FPS at full resolution is unlikely with heavy games demanding high graphical settings.

For running games like WWE 2K17 and Grand Theft Auto V, you might need to sacrifice some resolution and graphics settings to reach 60 FPS. This is especially true for games that require high graphical fidelity and realistic graphics mods. If you are looking for a laptop that can smoothly play these games at native resolution and maximum settings, you might need to consider a more powerful option.

RAM and Other Specifications

The 8GB of RAM paired with the GTX 940Mx is sufficient for a budget gaming laptop. However, if you also plan to work with design software or multitask, adding an additional 8GB of RAM (such as the RivetJaw series) can significantly enhance your gaming and productivity experience. Despite its limitations, the HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX offers good value for its price range, especially for those on a tight budget.

Alternatives and Recommendations

For those seeking a more dedicated gaming experience within a budget of 70k, consider the MSI GL62M 7RDX. This model is equipped with a Nvidia GTX 1050Ti, which offers better performance and is capable of handling a wider range of games at higher settings. Additionally, its more modern hardware ensures a more consistent and enjoyable gaming experience.

If you are specifically interested in the long-term gaming potential of the HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX and its suitability for hardcore gaming over the next 2-3 years, it is important to understand that while it can serve as a solid budget gaming machine, it may not be future-proof for the most demanding title requirements.

Closing Thoughts

In summary, the HP Pavilion 15 AU628TX is a capable laptop for medium games and light design work, but it may not be the best choice for handling heavy games at high settings. For a balance between performance and value, the MSI GL62M 7RDX is a more suitable alternative, offering better performance and a more reliable future-proof solution.