Can an i5 Gaming Laptop Handle 4K Rendering for Architecture Projects?

[leoarthur]

Hi all,

I’m considering buying an i5 gaming laptop for my architecture projects, particularly for 3D modeling and 4K rendering in software like 3ds Max, Blender, and V-Ray. While I know gaming laptops are optimized for GPU tasks, I’m concerned about whether the i5 CPU will handle the workload, especially for large models and 4K resolution.

Here are my key questions:

1. Will an i5 processor be enough for 4K rendering, or should I opt for an i7?
2. Most i5 gaming laptops come with a GTX 1660 or RTX 3060 and 16GB of RAM. Is this setup sufficient for architectural rendering at 4K?
3. How does thermal management hold up during long rendering sessions? Should I expect throttling?

I’d appreciate any insights from those who use an i5 for architecture work. How does it handle rendering times, and is an i7 worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance!