Top 10 Things to Test When Buying a 2nd Hand Gaming Laptop
Here's a comprehensive checklist of the top 10 things you must test before buying a second-hand gaming laptop—whether you're shopping locally or online.
Check the outer body first. Look for cracks near the hinges, dents on the corners, missing screws, or worn-out rubber pads. These signs can reveal how the laptop has been treated. Make sure all ports (USB, HDMI, Ethernet) work by plugging in actual devices.
If you're unsure about specific models, browsing a PC product reviews section can help you compare real user feedback and durability reports before deciding.
Visual performance is crucial in gaming. Boot up the laptop and look closely at the screen. Dead pixels, backlight bleed, or odd color tints are red flags. Try switching through different brightness levels and open a dark image to reveal any screen issues.
Gaming requires precision, especially with keys like WASD, spacebar, and shift. Test all the keys to ensure none are sticky or unresponsive. The touchpad should be smooth, with no jitter or lag.
Older batteries degrade over time. Use tools like HWMonitor or Windows Battery Report (powercfg /batteryreport) to see its health, cycle count, and wear level. A poor battery won't ruin gameplay if you're plugged in, but it limits portability.
Use free tools like Speccy or CPU-Z to verify: CPU model and speed
Installed RAM
Graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD)
Storage type (preferably SSD)
Make sure the 2nd hand gaming laptop matches the specs advertised. Sellers sometimes misrepresent configurations, especially with older GPUs.
Install a benchmarking tool like Cinebench, 3DMark, or even a popular game to stress test the system. Listen for any weird noises, and watch out for overheating or sudden frame drops.
Gaming laptops can run hot, especially under load. Make sure the fans spin up properly and aren't excessively loud or grinding. A noisy fan could mean dust buildup or wear and tear on the bearings. You can also feel around the vents to see how well it's dissipating heat.
Play a video or game trailer to check the speaker quality—make sure there's no buzzing or crackling. Use the built-in webcam and mic to confirm they work properly, even if you typically use an external headset or cam.
A fresh OS install is always best. Ask the seller if they've wiped the system clean and reinstalled Windows. Check for: Genuine activation
No unnecessary startup apps
No malware or suspicious software
A cluttered or unlicensed OS can lead to instability and performance drops.
Some refurbished laptops still come with manufacturer warranties. If not, make sure the seller offers at least a short return window. This gives you time to test it thoroughly at home.
Before finalizing any deal, it helps to read a trusted gaming laptops review on models you're considering. Real-world feedback can reveal common issues, performance quirks, and long-term durability.
Before finalizing any deal, it helps to read a trusted gaming laptops review on models you're considering. Real-world feedback can reveal common issues, performance quirks, and long-term durability.
A 2nd hand gaming laptop can be a great investment—if you know what to look for. From checking internal specs to testing real-time gaming performance, this guide covers everything you need to make a smart purchase.
Spend a little time testing now, and you'll enjoy worry-free gaming later.
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CNET
28 minutes ago
- CNET
I Tested MSI's $999 Gaming Laptop and Liked Its 1080p Performance but Little Else
CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. 7.2 / 10 SCORE MSI Katana 15 HX B14W $999 at Walmart Pros Strong performance for the price Roomy keyboard with four-zone RGB lighting Cons Dim display Thick and heavy chassis 512GB SSD fills up fast Grainy 720p webcam No biometrics or Thunderbolt 4 MSI Katana 15 HX B14W 7.2/10 CNET Score $999 at Walmart If you're bound and determined to spend less than $1,000 on a gaming laptop, and you want one with a GPU from Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 50 series, then among your limited options is the MSI Katana 15 HX. This 15.6-inch laptop features RTX 5050 graphics and is regularly discounted to $999 at Walmart. It proved to be a strong overall performer, especially for its price, including solid 1080p frame rates. While I was impressed with its performance, I found it hard to overlook some of its shortcomings. As soon as I pulled it out of the box, I was surprised by the bulk and heft of the laptop. It's nearly a pound heavier than the Acer Nitro V 16S AI, which has a larger (and more modern) 16-inch, 16:10 display. The Katana 15 HX's display is an old-school 15.6-inch, 16:9 panel, and as soon as I powered it on, I was greeted with a dim image -- and that was with brightness already turned all the way up. Other budget touches include a 512GB SSD that I quickly filled to capacity after installing only a handful of games and a fuzzy 720p webcam that's sorely outdated. The Katana 15 HX delivers on the top priority of any gaming laptop, providing good 3D performance for the price. But you don't have to look very far for very long to find its limitations. None are deal breakers, however, and if you have only $1,000 to spend on a gaming laptop and don't want one with previous-gen graphics, then the Katana 15 HX certainly fits the bill. For about $300 more, however, the Acer Nitro V 16S AI or Lenovo Legion 5i each offers a more well-rounded package. MSI Katana 15 HX B14W Price as reviewed $1,200 (on sale for $999) Display size/resolution 15.6-inch 1,920x1,080 144Hz IPS LCD CPU Intel Core i7-14650HX Memory 16GB LPDDR5-5600 Graphics 8GB Nvidia GeForce RTX 5050 @ 115W Storage 512GB SSD Ports USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, combo audio Networking Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 Operating system Windows 11 Home Weight 5.6 pounds (2.5 kilogram) MSI sells a few fixed configurations of the Katana 15 HX B14W. I tested the entry-level model, which is sold at Walmart for $1,200 but is regularly on sale for $999. It features an Intel Core i7-14650HX and RTX 5050 graphics, along with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. The display is a 15.6-inch IPS LCD with a 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Also at Walmart is a $1,499 model that bumps you up to an RTX 5070 GPU, 1TB SSD and a higher-resolution (2,560x1,440 pixels) and faster (165Hz) display. The MSI Katana 15 HX B14W starts at £1,399 in the UK and AU$2,199 in Australia. Matt Elliott/CNET MSI Katana 15 HX B14W performance With its 14th-gen Core i7 CPU that has 16 cores and 24 threads and RTX 5050 GPU with 8GB of dedicated video memory and set at its max TDP of 155 watts, the Katana 15 HX B14W provides excellent bang for your buck. It handled our application benchmarks without breaking a sweat, and on the tests that really matter -- our 3D gaming benchmarks -- it managed to keep pace with a pair of pricier budget gaming models, the Acer Nitro V 16S AI and Lenovo Legion 5i, that feature RTX 5060 graphics. The Katana 15 HX B14W produced excellent 1080p frame rates on our Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Guardians of the Galaxy benchmarks and actually outpaced the Acer Nitro V 16S AI, whose RTX 5060 is more capable than the Katana's RTX 5060 but set at a lower TDP of 85 watts, which limits its performance. Matt Elliott/CNET The Katana 15 HX B14W excelled on our F1 24 benchmark, hitting an average of 104 frames per second at 1080p with the Ultra High quality setting. That was better than the Lenovo Legion 5i 15IRX10 (82fps) and Acer Nitro V 16S AI (74fps). The Katana 15 HX B14W fell behind these two competitors on our Assassin's Creed: Shadows benchmark, each of which managed to exceed 60fps at 1080p with High settings. The Katana averaged only 53fps with the same settings. But, you've got a couple of options to get smooth 1080p gameplay with Shadows on the Katana 15 HX. When I dropped the quality setting to Medium, I averaged 65fps. The other move is to use AI upscaling, and with DLSS enabled, I was able to average 66fps at the highest Ultra High setting. Matt Elliott/CNET Keeping thermals in check is a challenge for any gaming laptop, and the Katana 15 HX B14W with its full-wattage RTX 5050 GPU certainly relies on its two cooling fans. Under normal load, the fans kicked in only occasionally, but they were a near-constant presence during games. They get pretty loud, but a good pair of headphones will allow you to largely ignore them. Battery life is rarely impressive on a gaming laptop, with the focus on power over efficiency. The Katana 15 HX B14W lasted a little over 6 hours on our YouTube streaming battery drain test, which isn't great but about an hour longer than we got with last year's MSI Cyborg 15. Budget touches abound The Katana 15 HX's strength is the performance it provides for the price. Where it falls short is in the design and features departments. I wasn't surprised to find an all-plastic design, given the low price, but I was taken aback by the heft of the system. It's thick at over an inch (more when you include the chunky rubber feet on which it rests) and tips the scales at more than 5.5 pounds, which is heavy for a laptop of this size. The Lenovo Legion 5i has a slightly smaller 15.1-inch display and is more than a pound lighter at 4.3 pounds. And even with a larger 16-inch display, the Acer Nitro V 16S AI is almost a pound lighter than the Katana 15 HX. Matt Elliott/CNET Another area where the Katana 15 HX shows its budget status is the display. MSI outfitted it with a 15.6-inch, 16:9 display that feels behind the times, as most laptops have moved to a taller 16:10 panel. It suffices for 1080p gaming, and the 144Hz refresh keeps things looking smooth. The overall picture looks a bit muted, however, because of the display's limited brightness. I measured peak brightness with a Spyder X Elite colorimeter at only 280 nits. Though not uncommon on cheaper laptops, I look for a minimum of 300 nits and really like to be closer to 400 nits. The Acer Nitro V 16S AI and Lenovo Legion 5i were each considerably brighter. The Nitro V hit 443 nits, and the Legion 5i's OLED panel achieved a peak of 518 nits. Basically, if you need a better display, you'll need to attach the Katana's HDMI output to an external one or buy a different laptop. The webcam is another decidedly budget touch on the Katana 15 HX. While most laptops in 2025 offer at least a 1080p camera, you're stuck with a fuzzy 720p cam here. It produces a grainy image and lacks an IR sensor that would let you use facial recognition to use with Windows Hello. And without a fingerprint reader, the Katana 15 HX is completely devoid of biometrics for easy, secure logins. 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A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found on our How We Test Computers page. 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