Top 9 Gaming Laptop MISTAKES (And How To Avoid)!

Summary

This video highlights the top 9 mistakes gamers often make with their gaming laptops and how to avoid them, with a bonus 10th mistake. Key issues include neglecting laptop cleaning, improper placement that blocks airflow, gaming on battery power, mishandling the laptop's lid, and missing important updates. Additionally, it covers the importance of dual-channel memory, the pitfalls of Optimus graphics, upgrading too often, handling screws carefully when upgrading hardware, and managing performance tuning. The bonus mistake humorously suggests turning your laptop sideways to speed up downloads. The video offers valuable tips to optimize gaming performance and laptop longevity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Regularly clean your gaming laptop to prevent dust buildup, which can block airflow and reduce performance.
• 😀 Place your gaming laptop on a flat, hard surface to avoid blocking airflow and overheating.
• 😀 Avoid gaming on battery power; plug in your laptop to ensure better performance and to preserve battery lifespan.
• 😀 Open your laptop gently from the center to avoid damaging the fragile hinges, especially on popular gaming laptops.
• 😀 Keep your system, apps, and drivers up to date to fix bugs, improve performance, and ensure compatibility with new games.
• 😀 Upgrade to dual-channel memory if possible for better performance; single-channel memory can hold you back.
• 😀 Avoid using Optimus technology for gaming, as it can create a bottleneck. Opt for a laptop with a MUX switch or use an external monitor.
• 😀 Don’t upgrade your gaming laptop too often. Older models can still run modern games effectively, and sometimes just a fresh OS install or new SSD will do the trick.
• 😀 Be careful when tuning your laptop’s performance. Overclocking can cause instability, while undervolting can help reduce overheating.
• 😀 A bonus tip: turning your laptop sideways while downloading can humorously help speed up the process due to gravity.

Q & A

Why is it important to clean the inside of your gaming laptop regularly?

Cleaning your gaming laptop helps to prevent dust buildup, which can block airflow, causing the laptop to overheat and reduce its performance. Regular cleaning ensures better cooling and longer-lasting performance.

What’s the best way to place your gaming laptop to prevent overheating?

It’s best to use your gaming laptop on a flat surface like a table, where air intakes aren’t blocked. Avoid using it on soft surfaces like a bed or your lap, as these can obstruct airflow and lead to overheating.

Why should you avoid gaming on battery power?

Gaming on battery power can lead to lower performance, as batteries can't provide the same power as being plugged into a wall outlet. Additionally, frequent charging and discharging cycles can reduce the lifespan of your battery.

How should you open your gaming laptop to prevent damaging the hinges?

To protect the hinges, always open your gaming laptop gently from the middle, not from a corner. This spreads out the pressure and reduces the risk of hinge damage over time.

What types of updates should you check for on your gaming laptop?

You should regularly check for Windows updates, updates in the Microsoft Store (for apps and control panels), graphics drivers (for better gaming performance), and BIOS updates (for performance tweaks and security patches).

How does dual-channel memory improve your laptop's performance?

Dual-channel memory can significantly boost performance by allowing faster data transfer between the CPU and RAM. If your laptop has only one stick of RAM, adding a second one can improve gaming performance and overall system responsiveness.

What is Optimus and how does it affect gaming performance?

Optimus is a technology that switches between integrated and discrete graphics to save power. However, it can create a bottleneck, as the discrete GPU renders frames through the integrated GPU. To bypass this, look for a laptop with a MUX switch or use an external monitor.

Why should you avoid upgrading your gaming laptop too often?

Gaming laptops from just a few years ago can still run modern games well. Constantly upgrading can be wasteful, as new hardware is released frequently, and you may not need the latest model if your current laptop still meets your needs.

What precaution should you take when upgrading your gaming laptop’s hardware?

When upgrading your laptop’s hardware, always keep track of the screws and where they go. Using the wrong size screw can damage internal components, so make sure to unplug the battery before working on the laptop.

What is performance tuning, and how can it help or harm your laptop’s performance?

Performance tuning involves adjusting settings like overclocking to improve performance. While this can boost FPS, going too far can cause overheating or crashes. Find a balance between stability and performance, such as undervolting for cooler operation or mild overclocking for a performance boost.

What is the bonus 10th mistake mentioned in the video?

The 10th bonus mistake is the humorous suggestion to turn your laptop sideways while downloading files, claiming that gravity will speed up the process. This is, of course, a joke and does not actually improve download speed.