10 Ways to Upgrade & Optimize Your Laptop for Gaming

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

When you are trying to play a game, nothing is more frustrating than lag and poor performance. Luckily, there is hardware you can upgrade, software you can update, and settings you can change for better gaming on your laptop. This wikiHow article will give you the best ways to maximize your laptop’s gaming performance.

Section 1 of 10:

Upgrade Your RAM

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-1.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your laptop's RAM is upgradeable, adding more RAM can give you a speed boost. [1] But before you go out and buy RAM, check your laptop's specs on the manufacturer's website to find out whether its RAM is upgradeable, and if so, what type of RAM can be installed.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 10:

Switch to a Solid State Drive (SSD)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/53\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your laptop's boot drive is a standard hard disk drive (HDD), gameplay will be slower due to the time it takes to find and retrieve data. If your laptop model is upgradeable, replacing your HDD with an SSD will really improve gaming speeds. [2]
    • Newer laptops tend to use soldered-down hardware, making it impossible to swap out parts for better gear. Check with your laptop manufacturer to find out if you can upgrade to an SSD .
Section 3 of 10:

Boost Your Internet Speeds

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Run a quick speed test at https://www.speedtest.net and do some research on the connection speeds you need for your game. If your speeds are too slow, consider upgrading your internet or hardwiring your connection with ethernet.
    2. Advertisement
Section 4 of 10:

Get an External Graphics Card (eGPU)

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4c\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-4.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your laptop wasn't made for gaming or video production, your graphics card is probably integrated with your computer's CPU. Having an integrated GPU means that your graphics processor is sharing RAM with your CPU instead of having its own dedicated RAM, which can seriously impact high-performance gaming. [3] If your laptop has a Thunderbolt 3 port, adding an external GPU can make it possible to play the latest graphics-intensive games through a monitor.
    • In most cases, it will actually be cheaper to purchase a whole new gaming laptop that already has a dedicated GPU than add an external GPU to your setup.
Section 5 of 10:

Update Your Software

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c3\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Operating system updates not only bring you the latest features, they also resolve bugs and patch security issues that can leave you vulnerable while gaming. [4] If you're using Windows, installing updates also ensures you're using the latest version of DirectX, a set of libraries required by many games. [5]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Game developers also release updates that address bugs and performance issues in gameplay. Install any updates for your games as necessary, including updates to game launchers.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bc\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Out of date Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA drivers can lead to lag, choppy gameplay, and even crashes. Be sure your graphics card drivers stay up to date.
    4. Advertisement
Section 6 of 10:

Optimize Your Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bb\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Play with both your in-game settings and your graphics card settings to find the best settings for you. A little bit of research will also help you achieve the right balance between performance and graphics.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/13\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To do this, click the battery icon at the bottom right of the screen, then move the slider accordingly. [6]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-10.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can do this by searching for Game Mode in the taskbar, then select Game Mode Settings . Set the toggle to On . [7]
    4. Advertisement
Section 7 of 10:

Clean Your Laptop

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/12\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-11.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A can of compressed air is one of the safest ways of removing dust from your machine , helping your fans cool more efficiently. [8]
Section 8 of 10:

Close Background Apps While Gaming

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-12.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The more your computer has to manage, the slower it will be. While you're gaming, close any apps you're not using so your computer can dedicate as much processing power to your game as possible.
    2. Advertisement
Section 9 of 10:

Overclock Your Graphics Card

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-13.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Overclocking can be very powerful, but also very dangerous if done improperly. In particular, overclocking an integrated GPU can be risky. However, by running several stress tests and using software that sets careful limits on your hardware, you may be able to boost the performance of your graphics card.
Section 10 of 10:

Defragment Your Hard Drive

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Upgrade-a-Laptop-for-Gaming-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    To defrag a drive on Windows 10, search defrag from the taskbar, then select Defragment and Optimize Drives . From there, choose the drive you want to optimize, then click the Optimize button in the bottom right. [9]
    • If you have a solid state drive (SSD), defragmenting isn't necessary.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      11 Tips & Tricks to Fix a Missing Windows Laptop Mouse Cursor
      How to
      Display HDMI on a Laptop: Quickstart Guide
      2 Easy Ways to Reset an HP Laptop without the Password
      How to
      Connect a Laptop to a Monitor
      How to
      Activate the Touch Screen on an HP Laptop
      Using The Webcam in Your Laptop to Take Photos
      How to
      Turn on the Keyboard Light on a Dell
      How to
      Connect a Desktop to a Laptop (Windows and Mac)
      How to
      Transfer Files Between Laptops
      How to
      Enter BIOS Advanced Debug Mode on Your Acer Laptop
      How to
      Take a Screenshot on a Lenovo Laptop: 4 Easy Methods
      3 Fast Ways to Find the Model Number on Your HP Laptop
      How to
      Control Fan Speed on a Windows 10 Laptop
      How to
      Connect Speakers to Your Laptop
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-your-laptop-a-part-by-part-guide
      2. ↑ https://www.techradar.com/news/ssd-vs-hdd-which-is-best-for-your-needs
      3. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-your-laptop-a-part-by-part-guide
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-windows-3c5ae7fc-9fb6-9af1-1984-b5e0412c556a
      5. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/which-version-of-directx-is-on-your-pc-3c688307-6c44-2ff5-9df7-d90d92bf5239
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/tips-to-improve-pc-performance-in-windows-b3b3ef5b-5953-fb6a-2528-4bbed82fba96
      7. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/2044215/game-mode-optimise-windows-10-11-correctly-for-games-on-the-pc.html
      8. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-clean-your-laptop-the-right-way
      9. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/defragment-your-windows-10-pc-048aefac-7f1f-4632-d48a-9700c4ec702a

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 54,026 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement