How to Maximize FPS on Your Gaming Laptop

16 June 2025

If you're a gamer, you already know that high FPS (frames per second) equals smooth gameplay. No one enjoys stuttering, lag, or frame drops—especially in fast-paced competitive games. If you're gaming on a laptop, you might think you're stuck with whatever performance the machine gives, but that's not entirely true!

With some tweaks and optimizations, you can squeeze every last drop of FPS from your gaming laptop. In this guide, we'll break down the best ways to maximize your frame rates and get the most out of your machine.

1. Update Your Graphics Drivers

Your GPU (graphics processing unit) is the heart of your gaming system. If your drivers are outdated, you're leaving performance on the table. Manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD constantly release updates that improve performance and fix bugs.

How to Update Graphics Drivers

- For NVIDIA Users:
1. Download and install GeForce Experience from NVIDIA.
2. Open the app and go to the Drivers tab.
3. Click on Check for updates and install the latest version.

- For AMD Users:
1. Download AMD Radeon Software from AMD’s website.
2. Open the app and go to the Drivers & Software section.
3. Click on Check for updates and install the latest version.

2. Optimize In-Game Settings

Not all settings in your favorite game need to be maxed out. Optimizing graphical settings can drastically improve FPS without compromising too much on visuals.

Best Settings to Adjust for Higher FPS

- Lower Texture Quality – High textures eat up VRAM, which can slow down performance.
- Turn Off Anti-Aliasing – This smooths edges, but it’s very resource-heavy. Try FXAA for a balanced option.
- Reduce Shadows – Shadows look nice but can be a performance killer. Try setting them to medium or low.
- Lower Post-Processing Effects – Bloom, motion blur, and depth of field add to immersion but affect FPS.
- Cap FPS (if necessary) – If your laptop struggles with fluctuations, capping FPS can provide a stable experience.

Try tweaking these settings and find the perfect balance between visuals and performance.

3. Enable High-Performance Mode

By default, Windows might not be running your laptop at full performance. Switching to high-performance mode ensures your CPU and GPU operate at their best.

How to Enable High-Performance Mode in Windows

1. Open Control Panel and go to Power Options.
2. Select High Performance or Ultimate Performance (if available).
3. If those options aren’t visible, click Create a power plan and set it to High Performance.

This adjustment allows your laptop to allocate more power to gaming instead of conserving battery life.

4. Keep Your Laptop Cool

Overheating is a major FPS killer. When a laptop gets too hot, it throttles (reduces performance) to avoid damage. Keeping temperatures low ensures stable and high FPS.

Ways to Improve Cooling

- Use a Cooling Pad – A cooling pad boosts airflow, reducing temperatures.
- Keep Air Vents Unblocked – Ensure vents aren’t covered by dust or objects.
- Clean Laptop Fans Regularly – Dust buildup leads to overheating. Use compressed air to clean every few months.
- Undervolt Your CPU – Tools like ThrottleStop or Intel XTU can reduce CPU heat without losing performance.

A cooler laptop means better gaming performance, so don’t neglect this step!

5. Close Background Apps

Too many background processes eat up RAM and CPU power, potentially lowering FPS. Before launching a game, make sure nothing unnecessary is running.

How to Disable Background Apps in Windows

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Go to the Processes tab.
3. Look for apps using high CPU or RAM (e.g., browsers, streaming software) and end them.

Additionally, disable Startup Apps in Task Manager under the Startup tab to prevent unnecessary programs from launching when Windows starts.

6. Adjust GPU Settings for Maximum Performance

Your GPU has built-in settings that can improve performance when configured correctly.

For NVIDIA Users:

1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel.
2. Go to Manage 3D Settings.
3. Set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.
4. Change Texture Filtering - Quality to High Performance.

For AMD Users:

1. Open AMD Radeon Software.
2. Go to Graphics Settings and enable Radeon Boost.
3. Under Power Settings, set Graphics Profile to High Performance.

This ensures your GPU prioritizes performance over energy-saving options.

7. Upgrade Your RAM (If Possible)

Some older gaming laptops struggle with FPS because they don’t have enough RAM. If your laptop has 8GB or less, upgrading to 16GB can dramatically improve performance.

How to Check RAM Usage

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Click the Performance tab and select Memory.
3. If you're frequently using more than 80% of your RAM, an upgrade is highly recommended.

More RAM helps your laptop handle bigger game worlds and background processes without performance drops.

8. Use Game Boosting Software (With Caution)

Some software, like Razer Cortex or MSI Afterburner, claim to boost FPS by optimizing resources. While they can help, they’re not magic solutions.

When to Use Game Boosters

- If you have a lot of background processes.
- If you don’t want to manually tweak settings.
- If your laptop has limited resources.

However, be wary of unnecessary “optimization” apps that slow down performance instead of improving it.

9. Keep Windows and DirectX Updated

Windows updates improve system stability and performance. DirectX updates enhance graphics rendering, helping games run smoother.

How to Check for Updates

1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates and install available updates.
3. To check DirectX version, open Run (Win + R) and type `dxdiag`, then press Enter.

Keeping your system updated ensures maximum compatibility with the latest games.

10. Defragment Your Hard Drive (For HDD Users Only)

If your gaming laptop still uses an HDD instead of an SSD, performance may suffer due to fragmentation.

How to Defragment Your HDD

1. Open Defragment and Optimize Drives in Windows.
2. Select your HDD and click Optimize.

If you’re still gaming on an HDD, consider upgrading to an SSD. The improvement in load times and FPS stability is well worth it.

Final Thoughts

Getting higher FPS on your gaming laptop isn’t just about expensive upgrades—it’s about optimizing what you already have. By updating drivers, tweaking settings, keeping the machine cool, and disabling unnecessary processes, you can unlock smoother gameplay without spending a dime.

Try out these tweaks and see the difference in your gaming performance. After all, why settle for lag when you can boost your FPS with a few simple changes?