Building a laptop into a gaming rig is a task that can be achieved with some technical know-how and the right parts. A laptop is a great way to get into gaming without having to break the bank, but it’s wise to make sure that you take the right steps in upgrading your laptop to ensure it can handle the intensive games you’ll be playing. Here’s how to make a laptop a gaming PC.
First, research the laptop’s components and determine how it’s currently set up. Check how much RAM is currently installed, if the laptop has an internal HDD or SSD, and the type and size of its graphics card. A laptop can typically be upgraded to include more RAM, a larger hard drive, and potentially a better graphics card.
Next, find out what type of graphics card is compatible with the laptop. Not all laptops are able to accommodate a graphics card, so make sure to check this before investing in a new one. If a laptop can accommodate a graphics card, upgrade to one that’s more powerful and better suited to gaming.
Third, invest in a cooling pad or a laptop cooling stand. Gaming laptops must stay cool to avoid overheating and potential damage, so investing in a cooling pad or laptop cooling stand can help keep the laptop running at optimal temperature.
Fourth, upgrade the laptop’s power supply. A laptop needs to have enough power to run all of its components without overworking the battery or slowing down the laptop’s performance. Make sure to invest in a power supply that will adequately provide power to the laptop.
Fifth, invest in extra peripherals. External gaming keyboards, mice, and even joysticks can be connected to a laptop to enhance its gaming performance. Many of these peripherals can now be connected wirelessly, making them an easy addition to any laptop.
Finally, install gaming software onto the laptop. Many popular gaming titles require software such as Steam, Origin, or GOG to run. Installing the appropriate software is essential for playing these titles.
Monitor
Considering that gaming laptops require more powerful components in order to handle intensive gaming titles, one of the best upgrades to give it a gaming PC vibe is to invest in a larger, higher resolution monitor. A larger monitor usually comes with a higher resolution which can make the gaming experience much more immersive and exciting. Higher resolution also lets you see enemies or objects up close without having to strain your eyes.
External monitors have a variety of inputs, such as HDMI, VGA, and DisplayPort, and so you need to check which ones are compatible with your laptop. You also need to make sure that the laptop has the right and enough ports to connect to an external monitor, otherwise you’ll need to purchase a USB display adapter in order to get the monitor connected to the laptop.
In addition, since gaming requires a fast response from your laptop, consider investing in a monitor with a high refresh rate and response time, as these two features can greatly reduce motion blur and input lag when gaming.
Last but not least, consider investing in a monitor that offers multiple display modes, such as a gaming mode or a home theater mode, as these modes can give you an extra boost in gaming performance.
Keyboard
A gaming keyboard is essential when it comes to making your laptop into a gaming rig, as it allows you to take advantage of the performance benefits that come with gaming keyboards. Gaming keyboards offer features such as programmable macro keys, which allow you to quickly perform specific tasks while in-game, as well as media keys, which let you control the volume, music, and other aspects of your laptop.
Gaming keyboards come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, so you need to make sure that you select the one that best suits your laptop’s size and style. Mechanical keyboards are popular amongst gamers, as they offer increased durability and faster key response, but they can be a bit more pricey than membrane keyboards, which are more affordable.
In order to get the most out of your gaming keyboard, you’ll need to make sure that it’s compatible with your laptop, as well as any games that you’ll be playing. Some gaming keyboards come with an integrated software suite that allows you to customize the layout and features of the keyboard, as well as assign macros to certain keys or actions.
Finally, make sure to invest in a keyboard with anti-ghosting capabilities in order to get the best gaming experience possible. Anti-ghosting ensures that all of your key presses are registered and prevents any accidental keystrokes from occurring.
Mouse
If you’re looking to make your laptop a gaming rig, then a gaming mouse is essential. Gaming mice come with numerous features that make them more suited for gaming than regular mice, such as increased DPI (dots per inch) sensitivity, customizable buttons, and adjustable weights. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your hand perfectly.
In order to ensure compatibility, make sure to check the mouse’s specifications and see if it’s compatible with your laptop. Additionally, check to make sure that the mouse supports the same operating system as your laptop. You’ll also want to make sure that the mouse is comfortable to use, as you’ll be using it for extended periods of time when gaming.
When selecting a gaming mouse, make sure to give priority to features such as adjustable weights, customizable buttons, and adjustable DPI sensitivity. These features will allow you to fine-tune the mouse to suit your gaming needs, as well as allow you to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse to fit your gaming style.
Finally, make sure to check for extra features such as on-board memory, which allows you to save your gaming settings and macros, as well as lighting effects, which will allow you to customize your mouse to fit your gaming setup.
Headset
A gaming headset is the perfect way to complete your laptop’s gaming setup. They can make the gaming experience more immersive and entertaining, as they allow you to hear the sound of the game more clearly. Gaming headsets come with a variety of features such as surround sound, noise cancellation, and adjustable volume levels.
When selecting a gaming headset, make sure to check to see if it’s compatible with your laptop, as some headsets require a specific type of connection. Additionally, check to see if the headset offers the features that you want, such as surround sound, noise cancellation, and adjustable volume. Also make sure to check the headset’s comfort level, as you’ll likely be wearing it for long gaming sessions.
Last but not least, make sure to check the sound quality of the headset. A good gaming headset should have clear sound with a wide frequency range. Additionally, look for headsets with crisp Bass, as this will make the gaming experience even more immersive.
Internet Access
Finally, in order to make your laptop a gaming rig, you’ll need to make sure that you have the right internet connection. The internet connection you have will determine how quickly you can join online games and play against other players, as well as how smooth your gaming experience will be.
A good internet connection for gaming should have low latency, which will reduce lag and allow for smooth online gaming. Additionally, a good connection should also support speeds of at least 25mbps for downloading and 1mbps for uploading.
In order to get the most out of your gaming experiences, consider getting a dedicated gaming router, which will give you the best and most reliable connection for gaming. Additionally, make sure to check if your service provider has any options for gamers, such as greater bandwidth or lower latency connections.
