If you’re diving into motion graphics, VFX, or YouTube content creation, Adobe After Effects becomes your daily companion. But not everyone can afford a workstation laptop. That’s where the Gigabyte Gaming A16 (CVHI3US894SH) comes in — and after hands-on testing, I can confidently say this is the best budget laptop for Adobe After Effects in 2025. Here’s why.
Why This Budget Laptop is the Best for After Effects
With After Effects, it’s not just about CPU power — you need a machine with strong multi-threaded performance, fast GPU acceleration, and RAM bandwidth. The Gigabyte A16 checks every box:
Intel Core i7-13620H (10-Core, up to 4.9 GHz) – handles multi-layer timelines with effects, 3D layers, and expressions with zero lag.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 (8GB GDDR7) – gives access to GPU acceleration for fast previews, 3D rendering, and third-party plugins like Element 3D or Red Giant.
16GB DDR5 RAM at 5200MHz – gives a massive bandwidth boost, especially useful for dynamic RAM previews.
1TB Gen4 NVMe SSD – fast read/write speeds reduce project loading and cache lag.
You’re getting a creator-level system at a price closer to mid-range gaming laptops. And that’s what makes it a budget powerhouse.
📊 Real-World Performance Stats
| Task | Result |
|---|---|
| AE Startup Time | 5.3 seconds |
| 1080p Comp RAM Preview | Real-time (instant) |
| 4K Comp RAM Preview | ~2.1 seconds delay |
| Export (1-min 4K H.264) | 58 seconds |
| Multi-Layer Comp Timeline | Smooth playback, no stutters |
| Third-party Plugins (Element 3D) | Runs smoothly at 1080p & 1440p |
Why These Specs Work So Well with After Effects
CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H
With 10 cores (6 performance + 4 efficient), After Effects uses the multi-threading to offload background rendering and expression parsing. You can preview, edit, and export simultaneously without freezing.
GPU: RTX 5060 (8GB GDDR7)
This is the sleeper hit. Built on Ada Lovelace architecture, the RTX 5060 supports CUDA acceleration and is well-optimized for After Effects 2023 and above. Perfect for GPU-accelerated effects like blur, lumetri color, or 3D text animation.
RAM: 16GB DDR5 @ 5200MHz
After Effects LOVES RAM. The 5200MHz bandwidth makes preview caching extremely fast. Bonus: this machine supports up to 64GB if you ever want to upgrade.
SSD: 1TB PCIe Gen4
The Gen4 NVMe SSD gives superfast cache handling, meaning faster rendering previews and less waiting time between comp edits.
Display & Color Accuracy
The 16″ WUXGA (1920×1200) 165Hz display isn’t color-accurate enough for high-end color grading (only 45% NTSC), but for motion graphics, animation previews, and VFX layering — it’s more than sufficient.
The 16:10 aspect ratio is a game-changer — more vertical space for timelines and keyframes!
if your workflow eventually leans toward precision color grading or client-based visual work, you might consider adding an external monitor like the KOORUI 27-Inch 4K UHD IPS. It covers 99% sRGB and 95% DCI-P3, supports 1.07 billion colors, and includes Freesync/G-Sync, DisplayPort, and dual HDMI — making it a solid choice for creative professionals without breaking the bank. at $272.
🔄 Upgrade Potential
You can easily make this laptop even more AE-ready:
RAM: 2 slots, upgradable to 64GB
SSD: Additional slot supports another 2TB (total 4TB)
That’s pro-level headroom for future-proofing your After Effects workstation.
🔋 Thermals & Battery Life
Running After Effects at full tilt draws power fast. Expect around 2–3 hours of usage on battery during light editing. Under load, plug it in — but thermals are well managed:
Fan noise is noticeable but not extreme
No thermal throttling during long renders
Aluminum shell helps dissipate heat quickly
🎯 Who Should Buy This Laptop?
🎓 Students learning After Effects
🎥 YouTube content creators and editors
🧑🎨 Freelancers working with 2D/3D motion graphics
🔧 Budget professionals needing reliable AE performance
If you want something that balances price and power without sacrificing Adobe performance — this is it.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Excellent AE performance for the price
✅ Powerful RTX 5060 GPU with 8GB VRAM
✅ Fast DDR5 RAM and Gen4 SSD
✅ Expandable RAM & storage
✅ Premium display size & 165Hz refresh rate
Cons
❌ Display color coverage isn’t pro-grade
❌ Battery life not ideal for long unplugged sessions
❌ No SD card reader (you’ll need an adapter)
🏁 Final Verdict
I’ve tested dozens of laptops under $1300, but the Gigabyte Gaming A16 with RTX 5060 and i7-13620H delivers an After Effects experience that feels like a $1600 machine. Whether you’re rendering a 2-minute motion intro, animating lower thirds, or building VFX for YouTube — this laptop won’t let you down.
If you want a budget laptop that handles After Effects like a pro — this is the one.