Choosing the right gaming laptop today involves a lot more research than just glancing over the specifications. There was a time when a high-end configuration meant a powerful CPU and GPU combo paired with a high-refresh rate screen. Not anymore. Nvidia and AMD have given laptop manufacturers the flexibility of choosing the amount of power it can direct towards the GPU within a specified range. This actually makes sense as it allows companies like ASUS, Dell, MSI, Lenovo and others to deliver optimum performance via their offerings, thus allowing them to experiment with different form factors and offer a variety of products to consumers.
This is where TGP comes in. But, before I explain what it is and why it is important to consider while buying your next gaming laptop, let’s understand TDP or Thermal Design Power.
What is TGP?
TDP represents the maximum power that a hardware component, such as your GPU, can draw under real-world operating conditions. This is measured in Watts and typically indicates the highest amount of heat generated by the component that its cooling system can effectively dissipate in practical usage.
It is usually determined by the power demand of the particular component being cooled. As a result, TDP serves as a common specification found across various PC peripherals, including processors, which also assess their power consumption using TDP measurements.
On the other hand, TGP or Total Graphics Power, is a GPU-specific term that defines the power requirements of a graphics card. Specifically associated with GPUs, it represents the power supplied to the graphics card. It’s worth noting that TGP is a broader metric compared to TDP, as it takes into account the overall power consumed by the GPU and other components, offering a more comprehensive view of the power requirements of the entire graphics solution.
TGP is an important consideration, especially in the realm of gaming laptops where power efficiency is crucial due to thermal and power constraints of laptops. The TGP specification helps users and manufacturers understand the overall power requirements of the graphics solution, aiding in the design and selection of suitable thermal solutions and power delivery systems to ensure optimal performance without overheating or power-related issues.
Let’s take two gaming laptops, the latest 2023 models of the MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V and the ASUS ROG Flow X13. Both are really good machines in their respective categories and can be configured with Nvidia’s RTX 4060 mobile graphics. While you get 8GB of video memory on both laptops, they have different power configurations or TGP. The RTX 4060 on the Stealth 14 Studio comes with a 90W rating while the ROG Flow X13 only has 60W, meaning that the former will offer better performance out of that GPU. Essentially, a GPU with the same name might perform differently depending on the brand and form factor.
We can even compare the GPU-based benchmark scores that we performed during the testing of the two laptops.
| 3DMark Firestrike | 3DMark Timespy | 3DMark Port Royal | |
| MSI Stealth 14 Studio A13V | 21,599 | 9,425 | 5,276 |
| ASUS ROG Flow X13 | 15,799 | 6,656 | 3,586 |
What impact does TGP have on a gaming laptop?
It is important to understand TGP due to the specific challenges posed by the compact and portable nature of laptops.
Performance Impact: TGP directly affects the performance of the laptop’s GPU. Higher TGP generally means better performance as it allows the GPU to operate at higher clock speeds and handle more demanding tasks, such as gaming, content creation, or professional applications. However, the TGP needs to align with the laptop’s overall design and thermal capacity to ensure optimal performance without causing overheating or thermal throttling.
Thermal Management: Laptops have limited space for cooling solutions compared to desktops. Higher TGP implies greater power consumption and heat output, making efficient thermal management crucial. To prevent overheating, manufacturers need to design effective cooling systems—using heat sinks, fans, and heat pipes—to dissipate the heat generated by the GPU and associated components. If the TGP exceeds the laptop’s cooling capacity, it may result in thermal throttling, reducing performance to keep temperatures within safe limits.
Power Consumption and Battery Life: TGP directly impacts power consumption. A higher TGP can drain the laptop’s battery faster, reducing its overall battery life. Balancing TGP ensures a good trade-off between performance and battery longevity. Manufacturers aim to optimize power efficiency while maintaining satisfactory performance levels.
Form Factor Constraints: Laptops have physical limitations in terms of space and weight. The compact form factor restricts the size and design of cooling solutions and power delivery mechanisms. Designing efficient cooling solutions while keeping the laptop slim and portable is a complex challenge. TGP serves as a guideline for manufacturers to create systems that fit within these constraints without sacrificing performance or reliability.
User Considerations: For consumers, understanding TGP is important when choosing a laptop. It helps assess the performance potential of the device and allows users to gauge if the laptop will meet their specific usage needs. Whether it’s for casual use, gaming, content creation, or professional work, the TGP influences the GPU’s performance, which directly impacts the user experience.
Ultimately, the TGP of a laptop GPU is a critical specification that ensures a balance between performance, power efficiency, and thermal management. It guides manufacturers in creating systems that deliver optimal performance without compromising reliability, overheating, or excessive power consumption. Understanding TGP also assists consumers in selecting laptops that align with their performance expectations and usage requirements.
How to find the TGP of a laptop GPU?
