Before we go into the how’s, let’s look at the why’s for a second. Is a laptop good for gaming? The short answer is yes!
Modern-day laptops come equipped with the same level of power as a desktop gaming PC but in a small portable form factor. Armed with all the latest cutting-edge hardware, you don’t need to compromise on performance. You can still enjoy fast speeds, optimised efficiency, and realistic graphics. What’s more, they are extremely versatile and easy to transport with you virtually anywhere, allowing you to game or work on the go with ease.
If you have noticed a drop in performance or simply want to push your gaming laptop to the max, there are a few simple tricks you can do.
Power management is vital for a laptop. These gaming devices have been fine-tuned to work without a consistent tether to a main source. The power plan is responsible for managing how your laptop utilises this power, deciding which applications get what and how much. You’ll typically have a few different plans to select from including:
Depending on the model and manufacturer, the names of these might differ.
Adjusting the power settings to plans that are designed for intensive workloads or gaming will optimise performance delivering faster speeds, smoother visuals, and minimal disruption to gameplay. It’s easy to configure your laptop’s power plan. Go into Start > Settings > System > Power & Battery. Select the power mode that you want.
One key difference between desktop PCs and laptops is that laptops come with different modes for the GPU. These power modes will affect both the performance of the graphics card and power consumption of your laptop.
Not having the correct power mode for your GPU can limit your FPS whilst in-game resulting in display stutter during those critical boss battles.
For gaming, we recommend you switch to the maximum setting that is available on your laptop to ensure you can reap all the performance advancements and boost to your FPS.
Laptops get hot whilst gaming even with their complex cooling systems consisting of fans and heatsinks. If this thermal solution hasn’t been configured correctly to ramp up under heavy-duty loads, the higher temperatures can have a notable impact on your gaming performance.
To get a better handle on temperatures when gaming, simply adjust your fan speeds to ensure it always runs at max speed or enable turbo boost (if your laptop is compatible). Turbo boost will allow the fans to hit their max RPM to consistently dissipate heat, keep temperatures to a minimum, and ensure whisper-quiet fast operation.
Laptops that come equipped with either Windows 10 or 11 will include a dedicated XBOX app. This integrated XBOX app features plenty of helpful tools including screen recording and Game Mode.
The Game Mode is especially handy for optimising your gaming performance. With the Game Mode enabled, Windows will automatically run your games at optimum settings, giving you that much needed boost as and when you need it.
Having lots of open applications running in the background whilst you game can affect your performance. Unless you need them during the heat of battle, any unnecessary programs should be closed as they’ll still be drawing precious resources from your CPU.
You can easily see which applications you currently have running by opening the ‘Task Manager’. Here you’ll get a drop-down list of every program you have open. With a simple click, you can close anything you don’t need.
At the centre of your gaming performance is your GPU. It’s responsible for rendering what you see on screen and delivering the silky-smooth gameplay you desire. If your GPU drivers aren’t up to date, you won’t receive the standard of performance you expect.
It’s a lot easier than it might sound to upgrade your graphics card drivers. Primarily because there are dedicated software designed for this very purpose – NVIDIA GeForce Experience and AMD Gaming Evolved.
In addition to GPU drivers, you also need to consider your OS. Has it been updated to the latest version possible? If not, you’ll be putting your laptop at risk and struggling with a drop in performance.
A laptop cluttered with dust and grime won’t perform the same way as one that is factory fresh. Dust that has infiltrated the fans will limit how fast they can spin, affecting temperatures, and ultimately causing a drop in performance.
Optimizing your laptop for peak performance doesn’t have to be complicated. By applying these hacks—upgrading hardware where possible, managing background processes, fine-tuning graphics settings, and maintaining your system regularly—you can significantly boost speed, reduce lag, and enjoy smoother gaming or heavy multitasking.
Remember, consistent maintenance and smart usage habits often make the biggest difference. Whether you’re a power user running demanding software or a gamer chasing higher FPS, these tips will help you get the most out of your laptop. With the right approach, your device can stay fast, efficient, and ready to tackle any task or game you throw at it.
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