Laptop recommendations under $450 (maybe $500)

Hey everyone!
0. Everything's fine with the graphics.
1. 15.6" screen size.
2. Point 3 doesn't really matter to me.
4. Mostly just schoolwork, but I definitely want to grind some newer games, like Total War: Attila or some management sims...
5. Windows is a must, though if it doesn't come pre-installed, I can always just set it up myself.
6. I'm open to anything—I'd rather skip Dell, but if one is way better than the rest, I won't say no.
7. My budget is around $400-$500. I'll stick to $400 if it's a better deal than the $500 option, but honestly, I want the absolute best bang for my buck in that range. If it means it'll last me 4 or 5 years, I could probably stretch it to $550.
8. Not a requirement.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HELP!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08L5M9Z2T
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P6XGZJ5
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/dell-laptop-example https://www.newegg.com/p/example-item
https://www.walmart.com/ip/example-item
I've been scouting a few different shops and these are my top picks so far! If you guys find something better at another retailer, definitely let me know!

Check out this breakdown on NVIDIA's latest move. Honestly, it’s about time someone looked at the actual performance implications instead of just chasing benchmarks for the sake of hype. It’s a lot to digest, but there's some solid data in here if you actually care about how these chips hold up under real-world pressure.

Out of all those links you shared, only the Microsoft one is worth looking at. Stick to laptops with at least an i3 processor—don't settle for anything weaker than that. A Dell is a solid buy if you care about build quality and want that three-year warranty, but the integrated graphics are garbage if you actually plan on gaming. Honestly, the best move is the Microsoft model with the same processor but featuring the Intel Core i7 discrete graphics. Check out Notebookcheck to see what kind of performance you can actually expect from that machine. The Microsoft comes with a two-year warranty, but if you register it for that extra coverage, you get an additional year plus some extra protection during the first year.

If you want the best deals, just check Amazon.
As a student, you should be entitled to an academic email address and a free copy of Windows. Just head over to the NSF website or check in with your university's IT department to see what they offer.