Best Gaming Laptops for Civilization 6: 6 CPU and RAM Picks

Civilization 6 is a different kind of game from a shooter, and that changes what to look for in a laptop. You spend your time reading maps, tooltips and city screens, then waiting for the AI to finish its turns. If you are searching for the best gaming laptops for Civilization 6, or for strategy games in general, the spec fields that matter most are the processor, the amount of RAM and the screen. This guide compares six gaming laptops on exactly those fields.

Method note: we did not hands-on test any of these laptops, and we did not run Civilization 6 on them. Picks come from published specifications, retailer listings and reviewer feedback. We give no fps, benchmark or turn-time numbers. Prices are approximate, were not live-checked, and laptop prices change quickly, so confirm the exact configuration and price before you buy.

How We Picked: What a Strategy Game Laptop Needs

• CPU first: late-game turn times depend on map size, the number of civilizations and your processor, so we favoured laptops with high-end multi-core CPUs. We cannot tell you how many seconds any chip saves per turn.
• RAM: big maps and long sessions are easier on 32GB than on 16GB, and upgradable slots are a plus. We list RAM exactly as the data states it.
• Display: strategy games are full of small text and icons. A 16-inch 2560×1600 panel gives more room than 1920×1080. High refresh rate is a bonus, not a requirement, for a turn-based game.
• Check the requirements: look up the official Civilization 6 system requirements, and those of any expansion or mods you plan to use, and compare them with the spec line of the exact configuration.
• Deal age: several listings we found were stale, so we use ranges and flag any pick whose price is unreliable.

Best for Upgradable RAM and Ports: Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 16 (16IAX10)

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 16 (16IAX10) pairs a 24-core Core Ultra 9 275HX with an RTX 5070 Ti (12GB) and 32GB of RAM. The 16-inch screen is 2560×1600 OLED; the refresh rate is listed as 240Hz by some sources and 165Hz by another. RAM and the dual M.2 slots are reported as upgradable, and ports include Thunderbolt 4. A deal report put one configuration near $2,150, undated.

Pros: a top-tier CPU, 32GB RAM and a sharp OLED screen. Cons: no SD reader, an 80Wh battery, and the deal price may be gone. Best for: players who want maximum headroom for large maps and plan to upgrade memory later.

Best for Large Maps on a Big Screen: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI (PHN16-73)

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI lists a Core Ultra 9 275HX (24 cores), an RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. The 16-inch display is 2560×1600 IPS at 240Hz with 100% DCI-P3 coverage. It is reported as upgradable to 64GB and 2TB, with a 90Wh battery. Prices in our data range from about $1,500 to $1,900 and are mostly undated.

Pros: a large high-resolution panel and a RAM ceiling of 64GB. Cons: about 5.95 lb, and third-party listings were inflated well above retail. Best for: strategy players who like a roomy map view and expect to keep the laptop for years.

Best for Thunderbolt 5 and Memory Headroom: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 (G635LR)

The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 16 G635LR uses a Core Ultra 9 275HX with an RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. The 2560×1600 Mini LED panel runs at 240Hz. Two SO-DIMM slots allow up to 64GB, and the ports include two Thunderbolt 5 connections. Weight is about 6.28 lb with a 90Wh battery.

Pros: 64GB capacity, strong ports. Cons: heavy, and we could not confirm a current price. Panel type and webcam differ between regional SKUs. Best for: a desk-bound setup where the laptop stays plugged in.

Best Modular Option: Framework Laptop 16 (2nd Gen)

The Framework Laptop 16 (2nd Gen) reviewed by PC Gamer used a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores, 24 threads), an RTX 5070 graphics module, 32GB RAM and 2TB storage on a 2560×1600, 165Hz screen. That configuration cost about $3,022. The DIY edition ships without RAM, storage or an operating system, so you supply your own memory.

Pros: repairable and modular, with a swappable graphics module. Cons: expensive once the GPU module is added, and module pricing has changed over time. Best for: buyers who value repairability. Framework is sold direct, so confirm availability on its own site.

Near-Fit Value Pick: HP Omen 16 (Ryzen 9 8940HX, RTX 5060)

The HP Omen 16 with a Ryzen 9 8940HX offers 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD for about $1,150 to $1,280 on sale, against a list price of $1,579 to $1,750. Retailer sources conflict on the screen: one says 1920×1200 and another says “2K”, at 144Hz. We treat the resolution as unconfirmed. Weight is about 5.42 lb.

Pros: 32GB and a 16-core class CPU at a lower price. Cons: deal-dependent pricing and the unclear panel. Best for: shoppers who want CPU and RAM headroom without paying flagship prices.

Near-Fit, Stale Price: Lenovo Legion 5i 16 (Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5060)

The Lenovo Legion 5i 16 (2025) is listed with a Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB RAM, 1TB storage and a 16-inch 2560×1600 IPS screen at 240Hz. The only price we found, about $1,300, came from a Costco page marked out of stock and very old, so treat it as unavailable. Look for a similar configuration on current listings.

Pros: the same CPU class as the pricier picks with 32GB RAM. Cons: price and stock are unverified. Best for: shoppers willing to hunt for a current listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a powerful laptop for Civilization 6?

The game does not demand the newest hardware, but large maps, many civilizations and late-game turns reward a strong CPU and enough RAM. Compare any laptop with the official system requirements instead of relying on a general rule.

Why do late-game turns slow down?

Turn length depends on map size, the number of AI players and your CPU. We have no measured turn times for these laptops, so we do not claim any.

Is 16GB of RAM enough for strategy games?

For many setups it can be. For large maps, mods and multitasking, 32GB gives more room, and several picks above are listed with it or with upgradable slots.

Does a high refresh rate matter for turn-based games?

Much less than for action games. Screen size and resolution matter more for reading maps and menus.