We have entered a golden
age of video games . Esports events have packed
stadiums on a scale that is hard to believe, and prize funds have run into the
millions. This means that we are seeing a completely different type of
athlete competing in a world that is not influenced by race or body genetics.
As more people become interested in gaming, more money is coming
into the space. This means that the technology becomes cheaper. You
no longer need a big, bulky desktop to play the latest AAA+ games. Now you
can play them on mid-range laptops.
For those looking to get into gaming, this article is here to
teach you the tips and tricks of the trade to optimize your laptop's
performance when using Windows 11.
Gaming
Laptops vs. Gaming Desktops
The main problem with innovation in computer performance is the
size factor. The technology originally starts out big before shrinking in
cost and size. This means that the only people who had access to
affordable parts in the past were those who had desktop computers that could
house inexpensive components.
Today, we have technology that is powerful enough to play
high-end games yet small enough to fit into a laptop case.
Desktop computers are usually cheaper for the same level of performance,
but they are big and bulky. Many of us need our laptop to be portable, so
you opt for a laptop that can be carried around.
Gaming laptops are the industry's answer
to the problem. These laptops are usually a bit bulkier, but they come
with much improved power and gaming capabilities.
Considerations
when initially choosing a gaming laptop
GPU / Graphics Card
We'll start with the part that defines a gaming laptop. GPUs
or graphics cards are the processing unit responsible for your graphics, images
and model loading. This means that everything you see in your games has
been processed by the GPU. The stronger the card, the better it will
do. This results in better graphics, slower load times, and higher FPS.
FPS can mean two things in the gaming world, First Person
Shooter or Frames Per Second . When used to
describe performance, it generally means frames per second. This is the
number of still images your computer can display per second.
Humans see in the 30-60 FPS range, and 60 is the sweet spot to
avoid any jarring eye movements or slow gameplay. To get this kind of FPS,
you need a dedicated GPU, which means the GPU is designed to be played on by a
3rd party manufacturer, like
Nvidia. These cards are far superior to the integrated GPU that Intel
usually installs in its laptops.
A gaming laptop should have a dedicated GPU unless you're just
looking to play very low-tech games like Minecraft or Roblox.
screen display
The display quality of your screen will depend on your budget
and the power of your other components. If you have a good graphics card,
you may be able to use a 4K monitor ,
which is much higher quality than the typical 1080p display that has become the
norm.
One thing to consider with screen display is the effect it has
on battery life. The better the quality and the brighter the screen, the
faster the battery will drain. This may or may not be necessary for you,
but it's worth considering if you plan to use your laptop on the go or away
from a power outlet for an extended period of time.
CPU
Your CPU is the MVP of any laptop or computer. Your CPU or
central processing unit is the brain, the control room and the captain of the
ship. He makes thousands and thousands of important decisions every second
without rest. This is what allows your components to work; without
the CPU, they can't do anything.
The better your CPU, the better your computer will perform in
all aspects. This means that this is the most important part to prioritize
along with your GPU. A poor CPU will actually act as a bottleneck if the
GPU is stronger. This means that you have to make sure that your CPU can
handle the demand of your GPU.
Look for the latest generation of processors for the best
possible performance.
RAM
Your RAM is the unsung hero of your machine: the humble healer,
the one who keeps the whole party alive during the toughest boss
fights. Essentially, your RAM is a lightning-fast
data transfer and storage system .
Every time your CPU makes a decision, it stores a cheat sheet in
RAM. The next time you need to make the same decision, it will use that
cheat sheet to accomplish the task more efficiently. This means that the
stronger your RAM, the stronger your machine will run and the smoother your
experience will be.
For modern gaming, you should look for a minimum of 8GB of DDR4
RAM for a smooth experience, and if you can shell out more than 16, you
definitely won't regret it.
Storage
There are two types of storage used for computing, HDD and SSD.
HDD stands for hard drive. This is the storage device we've
been using for the last decade or so. It works with a laser and a disk and
is capable of storing large amounts of data for minimal cost. The only
problem with hard drives is their speed. They just can't keep up with
modern downstream computing tasks.
SSD stands for Solid State Drive. This is the same type of
memory that your RAM uses. SSD has the advantage of being incredibly
fast. They load games, programs, launch and transfer files at a speed that
leaves the hard drive in the dust. With all-nine technology, the main
issue is always cost, and an SSD storage system costs
much more than an HDD storage system.
To play, you must have at least some SSD
functionality. Pairing a smaller SSD, say around 256-512GB, with a 1TB HDD
is a common way for gamers to make use of both storage devices and their
strengths.
Keyboard
As a gamer, your keyboard will need to be more advanced than
average. You will need keys that have better tactile resistance and
anti-ghosting. When you use a laptop keyboard, you already have to
sacrifice a lot of the space you have with an add-on keyboard. This means
that it is imperative that the keyboard is well designed.
Look for mechanical switches whenever possible. Ideally,
the keyboard will be designed by a peripheral company like SteelSeries or Razer
How to
improve gaming performance in Windows 11
Tips for Windows 11
One of the most important tips we will give you is to keep your
laptop up to date. This means you should always listen when the annoying
“Your computer needs to update” warning pops up. Many of us reschedule it
for another time, pushing it over and over again. This causes your
computer to run on old technology and software, leading to a drastic decrease
in computing and gaming power.
It's not just updates that you need to stay current. You
should always make sure your drivers are up to date. Sometimes things go
wrong and driver updates don't install
automatically. When this happens, you can run into major issues,
especially while gaming.
Updating your drivers is a simple process. Simply head over
to the box at the bottom left of your screen and type in “drivers”. A list
of all the drivers your computer uses will appear, allowing you to click on
each one individually and manually check for any new updates.
automatic updates
Always the best way to go, so if you have software like Nvidia
GeForce make sure you check the auto-update button in settings.
Occasionally laptops will have smart power technology on
board. This allows the laptop to reduce computing power to save battery
power. To change this, go to settings > power & sleep > Extra
power settings and then click the “High performance” button.
The last tip you can use if you are on Windows 11 is to turn on
Windows “Game Mode”. To do this, simply press WIN + G. This will make your
computer suspend some unnecessary background tasks to divert power to your
games.
Configuration, updates and cleaning
The first thing to do if you intend to play games on
an older laptop
is to seriously clean it. When running games, your laptop
will run much hotter than usual. If your fans and pipes are clogged with
dust, then your temperatures can reach a level that damages internal
components.
The best way to clean the vents is to use a spray air
cleaner. These only cost a couple of bucks. You can also take your
laptop to a laptop repair shop, and they should be able to offer you a health
check and clean the inside of your laptop for a relatively low price.
Next, you need to consider whether you want to upgrade your
basic technology. If your laptop has the capacity for extra RAM or an SSD,
these are very worthwhile upgrades to improve
gaming performance . You can also use an eGPU, and
an eGPU is a graphics card that you plug into your system instead of installing
it.
This is a great way to seriously increase your gaming potential,
as you can install any card, regardless of size. Be sure to do your
research to make sure the component you want to install is compatible with the
rest of your parts.
Next, you should look for a simple overclock . Overclocking
is the name given to the process of removing the factory settings from the
factory and using the optimized ones. If you plan to do this, make sure
you follow a good online guide, as poor overclocking can lead to serious
problems if not done correctly.
