A top of the line gaming laptop is never going to reach the performance of a similarly-priced gaming desktop. But that doesn't mean that you can't play the latest games. Rather, it just puts a bit of extra pressure on you to ensure that your laptop is optimised for games.
With desktop computers, you can upgrade the hardware. Laptop users will probably know that they can only replace the memory (and perhaps the hard drive) with an upgrade. So, what can you do to ensure your favourite games will play well on your laptop?
These 10 tips (mostly intended for Windows 10) will definitely make a difference.
#. Keep Your Laptop Clean and Dust-Free
First things first. You'll only enjoy improved performance on your laptop with a proactive attitude to physical maintenance. Dust and dirt are the enemies of performance. This detritus will reduce airflow, resulting in a computer that gets too hot.
Once the heat builds, the processor, GPU, and most other components will slow down. This doesn't make for an effective gaming machine.
The best way to deal with this is to remove the dust. Obviously, this isn't the simplest of tasks. Your laptop is probably sealed, and if it isn't, opening it will almost certainly invalidate the warranty. The solution is to use some very specific cleaning techniques. Although intended for a MacBook, our cleaning tips will help for most laptops.
But it isn't just the vents on your laptop that you need to keep clear. If you're using the keyboard regularly (a staple of PC gaming) it's important to ensure there is no dust, food, or other matter able to cause sticky keys. For that matter, you don't want a mucky screen, either.
Our guide to cleaning your laptop computer will help here.
#. Update Your Drivers
There was a time when having the right drivers installed on a Windows PC was considered something of a joke. It was usually initiated by the hardcore Apple Mac users, and worked simply because those computers had such a limited range of hardware available. Any devices that would work already had the drivers installed.
Of course, the situation has moved on somewhat. These days, computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems are almost all based around the same hardware, with the same architecture. This means that whatever the operating system, keeping device drivers up to date is vital. Fortunately, it's no longer a hassle, either. Instead, it's a slight inconvenience that has been largely swallowed up into the standard OS updates.
However, when it comes to graphic drivers, you might need a more hands-on approach. While Intel graphics — largely unsuitable for hardcore gaming — will enjoy updated drivers via a Windows update, your third-party graphics provider doesn't offer that option. Instead, it's vital that you ensure the management software (such as Nvidia GeForce or AMD Gaming Evolved) is set to automatically update.
#. Install the Latest DirectX Version
A collection of software tools that facilitate the graphics in a video game, DirectX is vital to gaming on Windows (and even on the Xbox consoles). Various iterations of DirectX have seen release over the years. For instance, the last version of DirectX to run on Windows XP was DirectX 9.0. If you're looking for ways to improve performance on your laptop, you shouldn't be running this...
Launched in 2015, DirectX 12 is the latest version, and you should have it installed on your computer. Manual installation of this is rare, however. In most cases, a new version of DirectX gets automatically installed when a new game requires it. At other times, installation of DirectX occurs as part of Windows Update.
To check your current DirectX version, press WIN + R to open the Run menu and enter dxdiag. Wait for the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DXDiag) to load, then open the Render tab. Here, you'll find information about your dedicated graphics card. In the Drivers pane, look for Direct3D DDI — this should be numbered according to the latest version of DirectX.
As well as having your graphic drivers up to date, it is worth ensuring that your audio drivers are fit for gaming. You can check your audio driver status in the Sound tab of DXDiag, where the date of the installed driver can be found. Note also that Input device drivers are summarized here too.
DXDiag is a good way of checking if your gaming-related hardware is missing any drivers. But if in doubt, run a Windows Update, or manually update the device drivers.
#. Overclock the GPU
Perhaps a bit risky for the beginner, overclocking can force some additional performance out of the graphics card. Tools are available for both AMD and Nvidia GPUs, so you shouldn't have too much trouble with this.
The main problems are with power and heat. Overclocking uses more electricity, so you'll need to adjust your computer's power settings appropriately (see below). But overclocking also increases the heat of the GPU. Usually, this is handled by the laptop's built-in cooling system. This network of heatsinks and fans must be regularly cleaned, as outlined in #1. If not, your laptop will automatically shut down — as a safety precaution — as soon as it gets too hot.
Looking for an overclocking tool for your GPU? The most popular at present is MSI Afterburner, which is suitable for Nvidia and AMD graphics cards.
You can enjoy good results with overclocking, but it is something you must do with care. Our guide to overlocking your GPU safely should help here.
#. Adjust Your Computer's Power Settings
We're focusing on improving performance, and few devices can enjoy improved operation without effective power management. When it comes to laptops — devices that are intended for use away from a permanent power source — power management is a big deal.
Windows gives you some detailed power management options, but using a laptop often means that these are overlooked in favor of maintaining the battery. This makes sense, but for a strong gaming experience, you should have your laptop connected to a power outlet.
Once this is done, it's time to look at your computer's power settings. In Windows 10, you can open Settings > System > Power and sleep > Additional power settings and select the High performance option. It's also worth clicking Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings to check you haven't previously adjusted anything here. You don't want less-than-optimum power settings when squeezing gaming performance from your laptop.
#. Employ Game Mode in Windows 10
This is a tip that anyone can use. Windows 10 is equipped with an Xbox app (if you've removed it, you can re-download it from the Windows Store) which includes several features. Along with screen recording and streaming, the Xbox app also features a Game Mode setting.
To activate this, call up the Xbox panel by pressing WIN + G after the game has launched (preferably with the game menu on screen) and click Settings. In the General tab, click the check in the Use Game Mode for this game box.
Once enabled, this Windows 10 Game Mode will ensure that the OS runs the game with optimum settings, which may
involve closing or suspending some background tasks.
#. Close Background Apps
We're assuming you're running Windows 10 for many of these tips. But if not, you don't have Game Mode. Fortunately, there is a manual change you can make to your laptop before you launch a game. Before you click Play in Steam, or double-click the icon on your desktop, ensure all other apps (and even games) are closed.
Once you've done that, take a look at the System Tray. This part of the Windows taskbar lists apps that are running in the background. Right-click each icon and close it. You may like to keep your graphics card management app or a voice chat tool like Discord open, of course!
All that should be running in the taskbar before you launch the game is your digital download service... or nothing at all.
#. Online Gamers: Check Your Network Speed
Gaming performance for your laptop is mostly determined by your hardware, drivers, and how your computer is configured. But if you're playing online games, there is one other element to take into account: your internet connection speed.
Trouble with online gaming is usually centered around lag. This can be due to problems with your internet connection, but often a slow connection between your laptop and the router is to blame. In most cases, your wireless network card will have the most up-to-date drivers, thanks to Windows Update, or whatever system updates your OS has downloaded.
If there's no change after applying updates, consider a wired Ethernet connection to the router. You should also check our tips on reducing lag in online gaming.
#. Manage Automatic Updates
Automatic updates can be a big pain. Take Windows Update, for instance, which can download updates in the background, before reminding you periodically that the update needs installing. Not only can the downloaded update impact performance (peer-to-peer