For this workload I would look at the actual bottleneck before the “gaming” label. Modern action-camera footage can be difficult because of HEVC decoding, high resolution and high frame rates. A GPU with the right hardware decoder can matter a lot even if you are not doing heavy 3D effects.

CPU, GPU decode support, RAM and storage all contribute. A very fast GPU does not fix a slow external drive or a codec profile the hardware cannot decode efficiently.

And proxies change the buying decision. If the editor can generate reliable proxies and reconnect to the originals automatically, you do not have to size the laptop around the worst native clip you might ever record.

I would rather have a balanced machine with enough RAM, a good NVMe SSD and a proven proxy workflow than spend the whole budget on GPU performance while editing from a slow drive.

For VSDC specifically, test the combination of hardware decoding and proxies before assuming the computer is inadequate. A lightweight proxy can make 4K or 5K timeline work comfortable while final export still references the source media.

If you are shopping, bring one of your real files to the decision process. A benchmark score is less useful than knowing whether the machine can decode your camera's actual codec, bit depth and frame rate.

I would also reserve budget for storage. Travel projects grow fast because I keep originals, proxies, project files and exports until the trip is finished. A laptop that is powerful but constantly full is not pleasant to use.

For me, a second SSD improved the workflow more than the last small CPU upgrade did.

That is more useful than “buy a gaming laptop.” I will compare decode support, cooling, RAM and SSD layout, then assume proxies are part of the workflow for the heaviest clips.

It also means I can spend less on a top-tier GPU if the rest of the machine is better balanced.