Playing games on a low-end laptop can be challenging, especially when the frame rate per second (FPS) drops, making gameplay laggy and frustrating. However, with the right tweaks and optimizations, you can significantly improve your gaming experience. This guide will walk you through practical steps on how to increase FPS on a low end laptop, ensuring smoother gameplay without the need for expensive hardware upgrades. Follow Laptopeasytricks.com!!!
What is FPS and Why Does It Matter?
FPS (frames per second) measures how many images your laptop’s GPU can render in one second. Higher FPS results in smoother gameplay, while lower FPS causes stuttering and lag. Most games are enjoyable at 30 FPS, but 60 FPS is the ideal standard for smooth and responsive gaming.
1. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings
Adjusting your game’s graphics settings is the easiest way to boost FPS.
Steps to Optimize Graphics Settings:
- Open your game’s settings menu.
- Lower the resolution (e.g., 720p instead of 1080p).
- Set graphical options like shadows, anti-aliasing, and textures to Low or Off.
- Turn off effects like motion blur and depth of field.
- Enable performance-enhancing features like DLSS (if supported).
Impact: Reducing graphics settings lightens the load on your laptop’s GPU, leading to higher FPS.
2. Update Graphics Drivers
Keeping your GPU drivers up to date ensures compatibility with the latest games and performance optimizations.
Steps to Update Drivers:
- For NVIDIA GPUs:
- Download and install GeForce Experience from NVIDIA’s website.
- Open the app, go to the Drivers tab, and click Check for Updates.
- For AMD GPUs:
- Download the AMD Radeon Software.
- Navigate to the Updates section and install the latest drivers.
- For Intel GPUs:
- Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant tool.
Impact: Updated drivers can increase FPS by optimizing how your GPU handles games.
3. Close Background Applications
Background apps consume CPU and RAM, reducing resources available for gaming.
Steps to Close Background Apps:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
- Under the Processes tab, identify unnecessary apps consuming high CPU, GPU, or RAM.
- Right-click on the app and select End Task.
Impact: Freeing up system resources ensures more power is allocated to your game.
4. Use Performance Mode in Power Settings
Changing your laptop’s power plan to performance mode ensures the CPU and GPU operate at their maximum potential.
Steps to Enable Performance Mode:
- Open Control Panel and navigate to Power Options.
- Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance (if available).
- On laptops with gaming utilities, check for performance modes in software like MSI Dragon Center or Lenovo Vantage.
Impact: Performance mode prevents hardware throttling, improving FPS stability.
5. Disable Windows Visual Effects
Windows’ visual effects can consume system resources unnecessarily.
Steps to Disable Visual Effects:
- Press Windows + R, type
sysdm.cpl
, and press Enter. - Go to the Advanced tab and click Settings under Performance.
- Select Adjust for Best Performance to disable all visual effects.
Impact: Reducing Windows’ graphical demands can free up resources for gaming.
6. Adjust Game Launch Options
Many games allow you to add launch options to improve performance.
Common Launch Options:
- Add
-novid
to skip intro videos. - Use
-high
to prioritize game processing. - Enable
-dx11
or-dx12
to use DirectX 11 or 12, depending on your hardware.
Impact: Launch options can optimize how your game interacts with your hardware.
7. Install Game Booster Software
Game booster software can optimize your laptop by:
- Stopping unnecessary background processes.
- Prioritizing CPU and GPU for gaming.
- Clearing RAM.
Recommended Game Boosters:
- Razer Cortex
- MSI Afterburner
- Wise Game Booster
Impact: These tools automate performance optimizations, saving you time and effort.
8. Lower Your Screen Resolution
Playing games at a lower screen resolution reduces the workload on your GPU.
Steps to Lower Resolution:
- Right-click on your desktop and select Display Settings.
- Under Resolution, choose a lower option like 1366×768.
Impact: Lower resolutions are easier for low-end GPUs to handle, increasing FPS.
9. Upgrade Laptop RAM or Storage
If possible, consider upgrading your laptop hardware:
- Add More RAM: Increasing from 4GB to 8GB or 16GB significantly improves performance in modern games.
- Switch to SSD: Upgrading from an HDD to an SSD reduces loading times and improves overall system responsiveness.
Impact: These upgrades are cost-effective ways to enhance gaming performance.
10. Use External Cooling Solutions
Overheating can cause thermal throttling, reducing FPS.
Steps to Keep Your Laptop Cool:
- Use a cooling pad to improve airflow.
- Clean your laptop’s vents and fans regularly to remove dust.
- Avoid using your laptop on soft surfaces like beds or sofas.
Impact: Lower temperatures prevent performance dips caused by hardware throttling.
11. Overclock Your GPU (Advanced)
For advanced users, overclocking your GPU can boost FPS.
How to Overclock:
- Use software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1.
- Gradually increase the GPU clock speed while monitoring temperatures.
Caution: Overclocking can void warranties and may damage your hardware if not done carefully.
Impact: Overclocking pushes your GPU to deliver higher performance but requires proper cooling.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a low-end laptop run modern games?
Yes, but you may need to lower graphics settings and optimize performance as outlined in this guide.
2. Will updating drivers always improve FPS?
Driver updates often improve game compatibility and performance but may not significantly boost FPS on very old hardware.
3. Is overclocking safe for a low-end laptop?
Overclocking should be approached with caution, especially on low-end laptops with limited cooling capabilities.
4. Can switching to an SSD improve FPS?
While an SSD won’t directly increase FPS, it significantly reduces loading times and overall system lag.
Conclusion
Boosting FPS on a low-end laptop requires a combination of software tweaks and hardware optimizations. By adjusting in-game settings, updating drivers, managing resources, and maintaining your laptop’s hardware, you can achieve smoother gameplay without breaking the bank.
With these practical steps, even a low-end laptop can deliver an enjoyable gaming experience.
>>> Read more: How to Update Graphics Card on a Gaming Laptop?