How to Make Games Run Better on Laptop

Do you want to enjoy a better experience on your gaming laptop?

New laptop models continue to push the boundaries of modern technology. The laptop industry offers a variety of machines to cater to almost any lifestyle. Whether you’re a video editor, CEO, or gamer, you’re sure to find the right laptop for you.

However, even the latest laptop models come with their limitations. Want to know how to make games run better on laptop devices? If you’re looking to boost your gaming without buying a new laptop, you’re in the right place.

In this article, we cover how to make your laptop faster while running games.

Use Windows Game Mode

The new Windows 10 update released a feature called Game Mode. This allows your device to prevent Windows from sending notifications. It also prevents it from installing new drivers.

This new feature allows your device to prioritize gaming. Windows’ Game Mode offers a better gaming experience by providing stable frame rates. This will adjust to the type of games you play.

Windows 10 turns on Game Mode by default. However, if yours isn’t on, you can turn it on with the following steps. Open your Windows Search panel and type “game mode” in the input field.

Switch on the slider inside Game Mode settings to enable Game Mode. However, some laptop gamers report having a better experience without Game Mode. Depending on the types of games you play, Game Mode can offer a better gaming experience.

Adjust Your in-Game Settings

If you’re looking to improve gaming performance, try adjusting your in-game settings. This is one of the most straightforward ways to make games run faster on your device. Most games allow you to access their settings by pressing the ESC button while in-game.

You may also find a separate settings launcher when you first open your game. If you don’t mind reducing texture quality, adjusting your display settings can give you a smoother game. Lower the Detail Level to its lowest setting.

This can improve your frame rate and give you a better gaming experience. You may also turn off options like ambient occlusion and motion blur. Lens flares, dynamic shadows, and other settings can slow down your gameplay.

You may also set the resolution to its lowest setting to get the best results. If you don’t mind a slight decline in quality, this is the best way to get smoother plays.

Use a Third-Party Game Booster

If adjusting your in-game settings doesn’t work, consider getting a third-party app. This is also beneficial for gamers who don’t want to tweak their settings on their own. Some third-party apps can disable processes and tweak graphic settings to give you better gameplay.

One great third-party option is IObit’sRazer Game Booster. This single-click app makes it ideal for users without extensive technical knowledge. This app disables processes and services on your laptop that you may not need.

You can select these processes one by one or all at once. However, to get the best results, you may still need to tweak some settings in-game. Some paid options can enhance your gaming experience further.

Some apps can even overclock your CPU and defrag your system to get rid of lag. However, be mindful when choosing a third-party game booster. Some apps can improve FPS settings but can also affect your registry.

Adjust 3D Graphics Settings

You can access your device’s graphics control panel to adjust its 3D settings. If your laptop gets support from Nvidia or AMD, right-click on your Windows desktop. Select Graphic Properties to adjust your 3D graphics settings.

Select 3D, then click on Global Settings. Your device will give you a slider that sits between Performance and Quality. If you want to improve your graphics, drag this slider towards Quality.

However, prioritizing your graphics may result in slower frame rates. You may even notice choppiness and lag while gaming. If you want to know how to make games run better on laptop devices, drag the slider towards Performance.

Choosing Performance will grant you stutter-free gameplay. If you want to improve this further, you can access your Custom Settings. You can find the Custom Settings panel in almost any graphic panel.

This will include settings like vertical sync and texture quality. You may even find anisotropic filtering under your Custom Settings. This graphics setting affects the clarity and sharpness of objects in a game.

You may be more prone to stuttering and tearing if you’re playing a graphics-intensive shooting game. This happens when your laptop’s refresh rate is lower than the FPS rate in a video game. You can turn off Vertical Sync to lessen the game’s FPS rate.

Update Your Graphics Card Driver

To ensure the best gaming performance on a laptop, remember to update your graphics card. Your provider may release updates to fix bugs and improve gaming performance. Try these methods to update your graphics card driver.

Windows Update

The Windows Update is the easiest way to keep your graphics card driver updated. This also offers bug fixes and new features to your operating system. If you want to check for updates in your Windows system, check for updates in the search panel.

To install updates, select Download. Windows may auto-download these updates. 

Use the Official Website

Determine your GPU product type. If you’re unsure what type of GPU you have, you can find this information through your device manager. Select Display Adaptors to find what kind of GPU you have on your laptop.

You can access their official website to update your drivers. Nvidia offers an easy-to-use platform to search for your driver. All you need to do is input your system information and select search.

The Nvidia website will give you a list of downloadable drivers. Choose the latest game-ready driver by selecting “Get Download.” You may also do this for AMD and Intel drivers.

Use the Graphics Card Software

Your GPU provider may offer a special app for you to update your graphics card drivers. It’s the most convenient way to keep your drivers updated. This also ensures that you’re downloading the correct files.

Clean Your Laptop

Choosing the right settings is essential to good gaming performance. However, you must also not neglect your laptop’s physical condition. Part of good laptop maintenance is cleaning your laptop of dust and debris.

Over time, your laptop is likely to gather dust. This can block your fans and vents and disrupt airflow. This can lead to your laptop overheating and thermal throttling.

Keeping your laptop clean can not only help you optimize your gaming experience. This will also ensure the longevity of your laptop’s lifespan. Don’t limit your cleaning session to wiping the screen and keyboard.

Don’t neglect to clean your laptop’s internal components. This includes the graphics card, memory card, and fan blades. This is where dust is more likely to accumulate. Deep-cleaning your laptop at least once a month will ensure a good gaming experience.

In your cleaning toolbox, keep a flat-tip screwdriver and compressed air. Use the screwdriver to open up your laptop while it’s turned upside down.

While your laptop is open, try not to touch any of its sensitive components. Use compressed air to get rid of dust. You can use cotton swabs to get rid of larger dust bunnies or debris.

Upgrade to SSD

Most laptops come with the traditional mechanical hard drive. This stores general files like photos, videos, and documents. However, if you only use your laptop for gaming, consider upgrading to SSD.

Some laptops on the market, like the Lenovo Legion, already come with SSD. This is a high-tier gaming laptop that can support hardcore and professional gaming. SSD can improve your gaming experience because it is faster than a mechanical hard drive.

It may not improve your game’s FPS rate, but it can optimize loading time. An SSD is ideal for games that consistently read and write data as you keep playing.

Disable Unnecessary Apps

If your laptop doesn’t have much RAM, the best thing you can do is close background apps. Many newer games require at least 8GB of RAM to launch. These games can fill up your system memory and cause it to slow down.

Go to your laptop’s task manager to check for memory usage. You may also press the combination Alt + Ctrl + Del to open up the Task Manager tool. Disable the app by selecting it then clicking on End Task.

You may also find apps that you no longer need on your device. Deleting these apps can free up space and allow your games to run faster.

Now You Know How to Make Games Run Better on Laptop Devices

Wondering how to make games run better on laptop computers? Here are some great ways to improve your gaming experience.

Looking for updates on the latest games and technology? Check out our other blog posts to find newsletters related to technology!