[Tested] Gaming on an Intel Core i3 laptop? Here’s what to expect

I’ve been using the Realme Book Slim (review) for a hot minute and the laptop seldom gives me any performance woes. In fact, the unit can comfortably crunch through my workload that involves using Adobe XD for some editing, along with running your basic set of apps like Google Chrome, Microsoft Word, Slack, and the works. Now, truth be told, I wasn’t planning to hold onto the machine for so long, especially given how my unit ships with Intel’s Core i3-1115G4 dual-core processor.

That said, having spent some time with the laptop, I’ve come to appreciate Intel’s latest entry-level chipset offering quite a bit. Moreover, seeing how there are a handful of laptops that employ Intel’s newest silicone, I decided to run some games on the machine to get a number on its gaming performance. So, if you’ve been eyeing a laptop backed by Intel’s Core i3-1115G4 processor (and there are quite a few to choose from the likes of Acer, Dell, etc) read on.

It goes without saying that you’ll want a laptop with a beefy GPU to run most current-gen titles. However, if you are looking for a Core-i3 1115G4 machine, chances are you will have to contend with Intel’s UHD integrated graphics. Consequently, you’ll want to keep your expectations in check before you start installing the latest games on your device. Furthermore, opting for a laptop with an SSD should cut your game boot times drastically too.

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With the core specs out of the way, let’s take a look at how well some popular games run on a Core i3-backed machine. Let’s kick things off with Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which even on laptops backed by integrated graphics, runs quite well. In fact, I was able to get anywhere between 60-80fps when playing the game on the Realme Book Slim. Furthermore, I had the game locked at 2K resolution and consequently, you should be able to squeeze even more performance out of your machines by lowering the in-game resolution. That said, I did have to turn down all other graphics presets to achieve playable frame rates. Regardless, Counter-Strike Global Offensive should run on most, if not all entry-level Core i3 11th Gen laptops.

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Moving on, let’s take a look at yet another online multiplayer game, Fall Guys. For the uninitiated, the game allows players to compete against one another in a series of challenges and obstacle courses. Quite surprisingly, the game is a tad taxing and despite turning down all the graphics settings, I was only able to net around 50-60fps. Regardless, the game is more than playable at the aforementioned presets.

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While there are a plethora of older titles that can run well on a Core-i3 machine, buyers looking for a quirky FPS title will find plenty to like about SuperHot and SuperHot: Mind, Control, Delete. Both the games can achieve passable fps (around 60fps) with the graphics setting set to low and the resolution locked at 1080p. That said, I did notice the fps dip below the 45fps at times, especially when fighting a swarm of enemies. On the bright side, I could comfortably run Among Us on the Realme Book Slim. In fact, despite opting to run the game at 2K resolution, I was netting around 60fps, which is great.

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Lastly, let’s take a look at Rocket League, which quite surprisingly, runs really well on machines like the Realme Book Slim that employ Intel’s Core i3-1115G4 chipset. In fact, I was able to net over 60fps with all the graphics settings maxed out and the resolution set to 1080p. Consequently, you can squeeze even more fps by lowering select visual effects like ambient occlusion, etc.

Clearly, laptops backed by Intel’s Core i3-1115G4 are no slouch and the dual-core processor can run quite a handful of casual, e-sports games at respectable FPS settings. Do let us know in the comments below as to which game would you like to play on your laptop and for more tech coverage, stay glued to our blog.