Why Is My Gaming Laptop Getting Low FPS?
A frame rate of 30 frames per second (FPS) is standard for quality gaming, which can be achieved on most modern laptops. But what if your laptop isn’t running as smoothly as it should? It could be suffering from low FPS. This issue can have a variety of causes, ranging from hardware and software constraints to user preferences.
Before you start trying to solve the problem, you need to understand why it’s happening.The most common cause of low frames per second on a gaming laptop is an inadequate graphics card. Graphics cards are used to process 3D graphics, which can require a lot of power. If your laptop is not equipped with an adequate graphics card, it will not be able to process the game as quickly as a laptop with a better graphics card.
Other causes of low FPS on gaming laptops include insufficient RAM. Random Access Memory (RAM) is used by the processor to access and store files, so if your laptop doesn’t have enough RAM, your games will run slower. Additionally, if your laptop has an old processor, it may not be able to keep up with the demands of the current gaming environment.
It is also important to consider your laptop’s cooling system. Gaming laptops have powerful processors that generate a lot of heat, and if the laptop is not equipped with a good cooling system, the hardware can overheat, resulting in low FPS.
The specifications of your laptop is not the only factor that can affect your frame rate. Other factors such as the type of game you’re playing, the settings you’ve chosen, and the resolution you’re playing at can also influence your FPS.
Your laptop’s overall performance can also be affected by the number of applications running in the background. If you have too many programs running at the same time, your laptop’s processor will be dealing with a lot of data and will be forced to work extra hard. This can lead to low FPS.
Finally, the performance of your laptop can be affected by the type of connection you are using. If you are playing on a wireless network, your gaming laptop’s performance will be limited by the speed of your network.
Upgrade Your Graphics Card
If your laptop is struggling with low FPS, the first option you should explore is upgrading your graphics card. Depending on the type of graphics card your laptop has, you may be able to upgrade to a more powerful model. This will enable your gaming laptop to better process 3D graphics and will result in better frame rates.
Graphics cards can be expensive, but if your laptop supports the card you want to purchase, then it’s a sound investment. You will be able to enjoy higher resolution gaming, smoother performance, and a much better gaming experience overall.
If upgrading your graphics card is not an option, then you may want to consider switching to a game that has lower graphical requirements. Many older games will still be fun to play and will run better on your laptop than more graphically demanding titles.
You can also adjust the settings of your games and lower the resolution. This will reduce the strain on your laptop and help achieve a better frame rate.
Finally, you can also try and optimize your laptop for gaming. This involves tweaking certain settings, such as disabling certain background processes and unused services, to ensure that your laptop runs as efficiently as possible.
Increase Your Laptop’s RAM
If you have determined that your laptop’s low FPS is a result of insufficient RAM, then the solution is simple: upgrade your laptop’s RAM. Adding more RAM will allow your laptop to store more data and process more information, resulting in a smoother gaming experience.
It is worth noting that some laptop models have a limited amount of RAM slots, so you may be limited in terms of how much RAM you can add. You should also ensure that the RAM you choose is the correct type for your laptop.
When shopping for RAM, it is important to consider your budget. RAM is fairly inexpensive, and you can usually get enough to make a noticeable difference in your laptop’s performance without breaking the bank.
Once you have acquired your new RAM modules, you can install them in your laptop. This process will vary depending on your laptop’s model, so you should refer to your laptop’s user manual for detailed instructions.
Once you have installed the RAM, you should run some tests to make sure that your laptop is running smoothly and that the frames-per-second rate has improved. If the FPS rate has not improved, then your laptop may require additional optimization.
Optimizing Your Laptop’s Performance
If your laptop’s low FPS is a result of insufficient cooling, then you can try to optimize your laptop’s performance by using cooling pads or using a less powerful processor. Cooling pads are designed to dissipate the heat from your laptop, allowing the hardware to run more efficiently.
If your laptop does not have a dedicated cooling pad, you can also clean the fan and intake vents. This will help to improve the airflow in your laptop and will allow the components to stay cooler for longer.
If your laptop’s low FPS is due to an old processor, then you may want to consider replacing it with a newer model. Your laptop’s manufacturer may offer replacement processors, so it is worth checking their website to see if they have an upgrade option available.
Finally, you can improve your gaming experience by optimizing your operating system. By disabling certain background processes and unused services, you can speed up your laptop and help maximize performance.
Monitor Your Frame Rate
Once you have applied the fixes listed above, it is important to monitor your FPS rate in-game. You can do this by using an in-game performance monitor or by using third-party software such as MSI Afterburner.
MSI Afterburner is a free tool that will allow you to monitor your FPS rate, as well as take screenshots and monitor your laptop’s temperature. This will make sure that your laptop is running at optimal performance and that you can enjoy your games without any interruptions.
It is also important to monitor your laptop’s performance to make sure that it is not overworking itself. If your laptop’s temperature rises beyond a certain point, it may be a sign that the hardware is overheating. If this is the case, you should immediately close the game and allow your laptop to cool down.
Install Quality Updates
Another way to ensure that your gaming laptop is running at its best is to install the latest quality updates. Each time a game is released, the developer releases patches and updates to improve the overall performance and stability of the game. It is important to install these updates as soon as possible.
Many times, a patch or update can dramatically improve your laptop’s frame rate. Additionally, updates are usually free, so it is always a good idea to keep your games up to date.
Finally, you should consider updating the drivers on your laptop. Drivers are the pieces of software that allow your laptop’s hardware to communicate with your operating system. If they are out of date, they can cause a variety of problems, including low FPS.
Updating your drivers can be a complicated process, but there are several free tools that can help. Driver Booster and SlimDrivers are two of the most popular, and they can be used to update your drivers with minimal effort.
Conclusion
Low frames-per-second rates can have a variety of causes, from hardware and software constraints to user preferences. The key to solving the issue is to identify the cause and determine the best solution. By upgrading your graphics card, increasing your laptop’s RAM, optimizing your laptop’s performance, monitoring your frame rate, and installing the latest quality updates, you can ensure that your gaming laptop is running at its peak performance.
