Your high-end gaming laptop can never match the performance of a comparable gaming desktop. However, this does not preclude you from playing the latest games.
Rather than that, it increases the pressure on you to ensure that your laptop is gaming-optimized.
You may update the hardware on desktop PCs. Upgrade choices for laptop users are restricted. Therefore, what can you do to optimize your laptop’s performance?
How can you increase the performance of your laptop for gaming?
Here are 10 Ways to Improve Gaming Performance on Your Laptop for 2024 on Windows 10.
01. Maintain a Clean and Dust-Free Laptop to Optimize Gaming Performance
Want to know how to optimize your laptop’s gaming performance but lack technical knowledge? Simply clean it.
Performance improvement on your laptop is only possible if you take a proactive approach to physical maintenance.
Dust and filth are the devil’s adversaries when it comes to performance. This debris will obstruct ventilation, resulting in an overheated PC.
Once the temperature rises above a certain point, the CPU, GPU, and the majority of other components will slow down. This is ineffective as a gaming machine.
The most effective technique to address this is to eliminate the dust. This is not a simple task. Your laptop is almost definitely sealed, and opening it will very surely void the warranty. The solution is to employ a variety of very specialized cleaning procedures.
However, it is not only the vents on your laptop that must be kept free. If you often use the keyboard (which is a need for PC gaming), it’s critical to keep it free of dust, food, or other debris that might create sticky keys.
Similarly, for optimal gaming performance, you do not want a mucky screen.
02. How to Increase the Performance of Your Laptop for Gaming
Installing the new hardware is the most effective approach to increase the performance of your laptop for gaming. However, what can be upgraded?
Laptops are notorious for being non-upgradable. You can improve the following items:
- RAM – increasing the amount and speed of memory may have a significant impact.
- Upgrading to a solid-state drive (SSD) or fast M.2 storage significantly improves gaming performance.
- Battery – Batteries are notorious for their inability to run games for an extended period with all settings activated.
Additionally, if you’re looking for a low-cost update, why not boost your gaming performance with an external keyboard and mouse developed just for gaming?
03. Update Laptop Drivers for Improved Gaming Performance
Laptops running Windows, macOS, and Linux are essentially identical in terms of hardware and architecture.
This means that regardless of the operating system, it is critical to keep device drivers up to date.
Fortunately, it’s typically simple, as the procedure has been mostly absorbed by routine OS upgrades.
Therefore, when it comes to graphic drivers, a more hands-on approach may be necessary.
While Intel graphics cards, which are typically unsuited for heavy gaming, will receive new drivers as part of a Windows update, your third-party graphics supplier will not.
Rather than that, verify that the GPU management software (for example, Nvidia GeForce or AMD Gaming Evolved) is set to update automatically.
Maintain an up-to-date version of your controller and audio drivers as well.
04. Optimize Your Laptop’s Gaming Performance by Updating DirectX
DirectX is a set of software tools that aid in the rendering of visuals in video games. It is critical for gaming on Windows.
DirectX has been released in several variations throughout the years.
DirectX 12 Ultimate was released in 2020 and comes pre-installed on your Windows 10 laptop. It establishes a shared library for Windows 10 and Xbox Series X|S devices.
To determine your current DirectX version, follow these steps:
- To launch the Run dialog, press WIN + R.
- Input dxdiag
- Allow for the loading of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDiag).
- On the System tab, scroll to the bottom of the list to find the DirectX Version.
To do a DirectX update:
- To begin, navigate to Start > Settings (or press WIN + I).
- Select Update & Security > Windows Update from the menu bar.
- Check for updates by clicking
Along with keeping your visual drivers up to date, it’s a good idea to keep your audio drivers up to and current as well.
In DxDiag, the Sound tab allows you to check the condition of your audio driver. Additionally, note that the drivers for input devices are summarized here.
05. Overclock the graphics card on your laptop for optimal gaming performance
Do you want to learn how to optimize the graphics on your laptop? Overclocking is the optimal method.
Perhaps a bit dangerous for the novice, overclocking the graphics card can extract some more performance.
Given that tools are accessible for both AMD and Nvidia GPUs, you should have little difficulty doing this.
The primary issues are with electricity and heat. Overclocking consumes more electricity, so you’ll need to modify the power settings on your computer correctly (see below).
However, overclocking raises the GPU’s temperature.
Typically, this is taken care of by the laptop’s integrated cooling system. As mentioned in #1, you should clean the heatsinks and fans regularly. Otherwise, your laptop will shut down immediately as a safety measure if it becomes too hot.
Are you looking for a GPU overclocking tool? At the moment, the most popular is MSI Afterburner, which supports both Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
Overclocking can produce excellent benefits, but it must be done carefully. Our guide on securely overclocking your GPU should assist you here.
06. Modify the Power Settings on Your Computer
Without appropriate power management, few gadgets can operate more efficiently.
When it comes to laptops—devices designed to be used in the absence of a stable power source—power management is critical.
While Windows provides thorough power management choices, for a more robust gaming experience, you should connect your laptop to a power outlet.
After you’ve completed this, it’s time to examine your computer’s power settings.
In Microsoft Windows 10:
- Navigate to Start > Settings (or press WIN + I).
- To access other power options, navigate to System > Power and Sleep> Additional power settings.
- Select Exceptional performance
- Select Modify plan settings > Modification of advanced power settings
- Ascertain that the power settings are optimal.
Take note that certain gaming laptops (for example, the Dell G5 15 series) adjust battery settings automatically.
Whatever your system, avoid using less-than-optimal power settings when maximizing your laptop’s gaming performance.
07. Enable Windows 10’s Game Mode.
This is a useful tip for anybody. Windows 10 comes pre-installed with Xbox software that incorporates screen recording, streaming, and Game Mode.
It’s as simple as activating the Game Bar and Game Mode on your laptop to optimize it for gaming.
- Navigate to Start > Settings (or press WIN+I).
- Navigate to Gaming > Xbox Game Bar.
- Change to On
- In the left-hand pane, click Game Mode.
- Change to On
- Nearing completion
You may now press WIN + G to bring up the Xbox panel at any time. If asked, choose Yes, this is a game in the Yes, this is a game box.
Windows 10 will run games at their optimal settings when Game Mode is activated. Windows may achieve this by terminating or suspending some background activities.
08. Disable Background Apps to Boost Laptop FPS
For the majority of this advice, we’re presuming you’re using Windows 10. If not, there is a setting on your laptop that you may alter manually before starting a game.
Before you begin a game, ensure that all other applications are closed.
After that, have a look at the System Tray. This section of the Windows taskbar displays a list of applications that are currently running in the background.
Close each icon with a right-click, unless it is necessary for your gaming experience. Maintain, for instance, your graphics card control application open.
09. Online Gamers: Perform a Network Speed Test
Your laptop’s gaming performance is mostly affected by its hardware, drivers, and configuration.
However, if you’re playing online games, there is one more factor to consider: the speed of your internet connection.
Lag is a common source of frustration when it comes to online gaming. While this is frequently the result of issues with your internet connection, a sluggish connection between your laptop and router might also be at fault.
In most circumstances, your wireless network card will have the most recent drivers available, courtesy of Windows Update or whatever system upgrades your operating system has obtained.
If no change occurs after applying updates, attempt connecting to the router through a connected Ethernet connection.
Additionally, you should determine whether a gaming router can optimize gaming performance.
Are you utilizing a gaming laptop? If your machine includes a Killer network device, you may install the Killer Control Center to optimize online gaming.
10. Optimize Gaming Performance by Managing Automatic Updates and Downloads
Automatic updates may be somewhat inconvenient. For instance, Windows Update can download updates in the background before regularly reminding you to install them.
Not only the removed update but also the reminders might affect performance.
Unfortunately, there is no way to permanently deactivate Windows Updates; thus, you have the following options:
- Maintain an offline state for your PC.
- Install updates immediately upon prompting.
- You may now disable updates for 35 days starting with the May 2019 update (version 1903).
Because it’s doubtful that you’ll be able to disengage from the internet if you’re using a gaming laptop, the best course of action is to apply those updates as soon as possible.
Additionally, digital distribution networks like Steam distribute updates. Additionally, while you’re playing another game, a second game may download updates in the background.
To circumvent this:
- Activate Steam
- Navigate to Steam > Preferences
- Clear the Allow downloads during gameplay check box on the Downloads tab.
- To confirm, click OK.
Additionally, you may manage the rules for specific games.
- Select the game from your Steam library by right-clicking it.
- Select Updates > Properties
- Adjust the parameters for Automatic updates and background downloads to your liking.
You may pick between Always keep this game updated, Only update this game when I launch it, and High Priority for automatic updates.
You may choose between three different download settings for the background:
While I’m playing, pause background downloads; Always allow background downloads; Never allow background downloads.
Additional advice on controlling Steam downloads may also help enhance the performance of your laptop’s gaming system.
11. Adjust Texture Settings to Optimize the Performance of Your Laptop Graphics Card
Finally, it’s worthwhile to examine your graphics card settings, particularly if you’re attempting to run a certain game.
This section contains master controls for texture and shader details, which may affect the appearance of your games.
Because the RAM available to your laptop’s GPU is limited, it’s typically best to choose a setup that prioritizes performance above appearances. In summary, high-resolution textures use RAM, resulting in a decrease in frame rate.
Are you looking for a way to boost gaming performance on older or lower-spec laptops? It’s simple: simply reduce textures and frame rates.
Nota bene, you can also specify texture and shader options for specific games here. This is advantageous if an older game is capable of running at high settings.
Meanwhile, you’ll be able to alter the video settings for specific games while they’re playing via the video/display settings panel.
Finding the optimal visual settings for games might take some time. However, after you’ve established that performance-quality trade-off, you’ll recognize that the work was worthwhile.
Laptop Gaming Performance Has Been Increased!
Who would have guessed that you could enhance gaming performance on a laptop computer so significantly?
While the majority of these recommendations are exclusive to Windows 10 laptops, some may be applied to analogous settings on macOS and Linux.
Let’s go through the top ten techniques to speed up your laptop for gaming:
- Clean your laptop regularly.
- Maintain your drivers (especially for the GPU).
- Install the most recent DirectX version.
- Increase the GPU’s clock speed.
- Optimize the power settings optimally.
- Activate the Game Mode on Windows 10.
- Close all background applications.
- Conduct a network speed test before engaging in online gaming.
- Disable automatic game and operating system upgrades.
- Make adjustments to the texture and shader parameters.
If you’re using a desktop computer, updating your hardware can have a significant influence on gaming; if you’re using a laptop, your options are restricted.
In the majority of laptop computers, you cannot update the graphics card or processor. That is why these ten suggestions are critical for optimizing gaming performance.
If this is insufficient, you may find further information on our dedicated Windows 10 gaming performance tips page.
And if that isn’t enough, consider broadcasting games over a cloud-based gaming server.
Conclusion on Ways to Improve Gaming Performance on Your Laptop
I hope that you have found this article useful and are now able to optimize your laptop for gaming easily.
Whilst discussing laptops and graphics here are reviews of the top gaming laptops under $1200 that you may find useful if you are considering a new gaming device.
Related: How many watts does a laptop consume
