If you are a fan of PC gaming you may already know that it’s not possible to reach the performance of a gaming desktop with a premium gaming laptop that is similarly-priced. A desktop has more space, power, and higher-end components. However, you can still play the latest games on your laptop.
You can easily upgrade the hardware on a desktop computer. But when it comes to laptops, you can only replace the memory. However, there are ways to ensure a better gaming optimization for your laptop. Check out our tips below on how to improve your laptop gaming performance.
One of the simplest ways to ensure you laptop works at its maximum performance is to keep it clean and dust-free. A proactive maintenance attitude will bring improved gaming performance as dirt and dust can reduce airflow, which makes your laptop too hot. The GPU, the CPU and other components will slow down once the heat builds up and your laptop won’t be as effective when gaming.
Another maintenance task that can help improve your laptop’s gaming performance is updating its drivers. Keeping device drivers up to date is crucial for your laptop’s speed. Check online for the latest versions of your laptop hardware configuration. Pay special attention to the graphics drivers. Set the GPU management software to automatically update.
It is also recommended to install the latest DirectX version, a collection of software tools vital to gaming on Windows. The latest version today is DirectX 12, launched in 2015.
In order to check your current DirectX version, open the Run menu by pressing WIN + R and enter "dxdiag". This command will load the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDiag). Open the Render tab to find information about the graphics card. Look for Direct3D DDI in the Drivers pane. The number you find shows the DirectX version.
Other tasks for optimized gaming include overclocking the laptop graphics card. You can find available tools for both Nvidia and AMD GPUs. Pay special attention to overheating in case of an overclocked GPU. Regularly clean the fans and heatsinks to keep the built-in cooling system in good shape.
Effective power management can also improve your laptop gaming performance. Adjust the power settings to the High performance option. Also, for the best gaming experience, if it’s possible it is recommended to play games on your laptop connected to a power outlet.
Activate Game Mode to optimize your laptop for gaming. In Windows 10 display the Xbox panel by pressing WIN + G. Click to enable the Game Mode on the button placed on the right of the game bar. For increased laptop FPS, ensure you close any unnecessary background apps. Check the System Tray, then right-click each icon and choose to close it.
