Learn how to improve your laptop’s VR gaming performance.
Every gamer’s biggest fear is dealing with low frames per second (FPS). In VR gaming, regardless of whether you’re using Valve Index, Oculus Rift S, or Windows Mixed Reality, the consequences of a low FPS might be amplified.
If this is a difficulty you’re experiencing, there’s no better time to give your laptop some gentle, loving care and keep it running at its optimum by resolving your laptop’s VR problems.
Your budget may not enable you to purchase a better laptop or gaming computer, which might have a negative impact on the enjoyment of your favorite virtual reality (VR) games.
Fortunately, we’re here to provide you with some simple advice on how to enhance your laptop’s performance and provide you with the VR experience you deserve!
3 Easy Ways to Optimize Your Laptop for Virtual Reality Gaming
01. Update Your OS
Using an old version of your operating system, whether it is Windows, Mac, or even Linux or Ubuntu, will drastically decrease your laptop’s performance.
Malware will find it simpler to infiltrate an OS that hasn’t been patched with the most recent security updates, and apps meant for a certain OS version won’t operate correctly.
If you’re running Windows 10 and you’re a Windows user, you’re well on your way to owning a VR-optimized laptop.
However, we recommend looking for updates just in case.
To search for updates on Windows 10, click Search Windows from the taskbar and enter ‘Update’. Select “Check for updates” and click the associated button in the Settings box
Your operating system will automatically download any available updates. If you have a different operating system, several online instructions explain how to upgrade your system for optimal VR gaming.
02. Refresh Your Graphics Drivers
The graphics card in your laptop will likely be compatible with the most recent version of Windows. If you upgrade your operating system, you will also need to update the graphics card drivers.
Drivers are the software components that allow your device to connect with your operating system. If your graphics card and operating system are, so to speak, speaking different languages, you may have confusion and failures.
The correct driver functions as a translator to guarantee that everything operates properly, which is vital for gaming.
The two main GPU manufacturers in the world, AMD and Nvidia, constantly update the drivers for their graphics cards, especially when new games are released.
Check either AMD’s Gaming Evolved program or Nvidia’s GeForce Experience app, depending on the GPU manufacturer, if your VR gaming visuals are subpar.
To update your drivers in GeForce Experience, pick the Search Windows area on your computer’s taskbar.
Select GeForce Experience from the drop-down menu, and then select the Drivers tab at the top of the window. Depending on your degree of skill and personal preferences, you’ll be able to pick between “Express installation” and “Custom installation.”
If you pick “Express installation,” Nvidia will automate the whole installation procedure.
Choose the Custom option if you would rather determine your parameters. In a similar manner, AMD’s Gaming Evolved software functions.
03. Purge and Defragment Your Hard Drive
Depending on the age of your laptop, it might feature either a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD) (SSD).
An older hard disk drive will need a physical platter and a needle to read any data stored on it. It will also need specialized ways of maintenance to guarantee optimal performance, particularly during gaming.
HDDs Advice
If your gaming laptop is cluttered with obsolete, unneeded apps, temporary files, cached pictures, and cookies, this can significantly hinder your virtual reality experience. Almost certainly, you will experience frustrating latency as a result.
You may utilize the Windows 10 Programs and Features interface to uninstall unused applications and accelerate your device.
Right-click the Start button and choose ‘Apps and Features’ Uninstall any apps that are no longer required or used.
If you wish to delete other garbage, such as Internet files and caches, utilize Disk Cleanup by searching for it in the taskbar’s Search Windows area.
Once you select the disk you desire to clear, the operating system will erase any unnecessary data permanently once you give it your final approval.
If you have an HDD instead of an SSD, you can also use Windows 10’s defragmentation tool to recollect data and make them operate more quickly and effectively.
Search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives” in the Search Windows field. Select the drive that you wish to optimize, then click ‘Defrag’.
SSDs Advice
If you have a brand-new laptop with a solid-state drive, you should enable TRIM on the hard drive immediately. You may also do this at any time if you have an older laptop with an SSD.
TRIM gathers garbage data on an SSD and serves as a contemporary alternative to a hard drive defragmentation procedure.
Enter “cmd” in the Search Windows area to enable TRIM. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and choose “Run as Administrator.” Enter ‘fsutil behavior query DisableDeleteNotify’ followed by the Enter key.
If the result is ‘DisableDeleteNotify = 0’, TRIM has already been activated. If you receive ‘DisableDeleteNotify = 1’, run ‘fsutil behavior set DisableDeleteNotify 0’ and click Enter to enable it.
Certain SSD manufacturers, such as Samsung, utilize specialized software to automatically optimize your SSD performance.
Check the official website of your drive’s manufacturer for any particular gaming-enhancing software.
A Few Extra Pieces of Advice for Optimize Your Laptop for VR Gaming
We’re not done yet. Here are some additional ideas for customizing your laptop for virtual reality gaming.
Utilize Nvidia and AMD tools to improve your visuals. Both GPUs come with specialized applications that allow you to optimize your gaming settings.
Modify your energy scheme. Windows 10 includes built-in power management settings that allow you to balance your laptop’s performance and energy consumption. In the Power Options options, you can select a high-performance power plan for gaming.
Modify your computer’s page file for virtual memory. If your device’s RAM is running low, it can utilize a specialized file known as a page file, which functions as virtual RAM.
Do not configure your laptop’s page files to be greater than 1.5 times the quantity of RAM currently installed.
Modify the registry in a few ways. A word of caution: altering your registry might result in severe computer problems; thus, you should only do it if you are familiar with computers and have created a complete backup.
You might prioritize your VR games above other PC processes to boost their efficiency, eliminate Windows animations, reduce VR resolution and refresh rates, and disable hibernation mode on your SSD, among other modifications.
Windows support forums include further details on how to accomplish this.
Conclusion on Optimize Your Laptop for VR Gaming
As you can see, there are several ways to optimize your VR gaming experience.
Ensure that you adhere to the instructions that are suitable to your laptop’s operating system and hardware, and if you get stuck, seek assistance from an expert.
If your laptop is capable of much more, there is no need to settle for subpar virtual reality (VR) gaming.
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