Gaming on laptop

[Isotope 322]

Would like to ask, would reducing graphics on a game heat up pc less than if played on the max? And do older games like GTA SA not heat up the laptop? Just wondering, cause I want to play some games on my laptop, but don't want for it to heat up, cause I've heard it's bad in long terms...

[Cathulhu]

Depends, if you cap the FPS it will have a noticable effect. If not, then you just get more FPS but the PC won't run any cooler.

[Isotope 322]

Originally posted by Cathulhu:

Depends, if you cap the FPS it will have a noticable effect. If not, then you just get more FPS but the PC won't run any cooler.

Ok, thank you!

[crunchyfrog]

Yeah, you'll always hit a kind of plateau where the CPU and GPU will sit at regardless. It's only worth worrying about if you are getting abnormally high temperatures, and in that case you should be looking at FAR MORE than reducing in game settings, as it is most likely an airflow issue or something in the physical setup.

Also, a common misstep that rookies make is that reducing settings can reduce heat but also improve performance - this ain't always the case. Each graphics card always has kind of a comfortable default resolution it likes to work at at, so going lower can change absolutely nothing except look worse.

You get to find this out in time and tinkering basically.

Bear those things in mind and you should be good.

Oh, and if you're just concerned about temperatures becaseu you live somewhere it's really damned hot, then using a fan NEXT to your PC (not pointing IN to the PC) can help pull the heat away.

The reason you do it by the side is so you don't disrupt the natural airflow. So if you have your PC facing you and the exhaust is predominantly at the rear, have your fan sat at the side, pointing parallel to the rear.

[crunchyfrog]

Oh just to add, I ONLY game on laptops. Have done for year predominantly.

But now I'm essneitally housebound and spend most of my day in bed, I have a laptop that sits open and running every hour I'm awake so it gets used HARD.

I use no extra cooling (apart from the fan in the room I mentioned above), just keep it on a hard table and run the bastard on full performance. Aside from a Dell laptop I had in the past, it didn't hurt a damned thing.

So don't be afraid about it - as long as you keep the airways clear, use a hard surface (and NOT straight on your lap with those airways on the back, front and bottom covered) you're fine.

I think this urban myth largely comes from people misusing laptops by leaving them on their beds and so on.

[Isotope 322]

Originally posted by crunchyfrog:

Oh just to add, I ONLY game on laptops. Have done for year predominantly.

But now I'm essneitally housebound and spend most of my day in bed, I have a laptop that sits open and running every hour I'm awake so it gets used HARD.

I use no extra cooling (apart from the fan in the room I mentioned above), just keep it on a hard table and run the bastard on full performance. Aside from a Dell laptop I had in the past, it didn't hurt a damned thing.

So don't be afraid about it - as long as you keep the airways clear, use a hard surface (and NOT straight on your lap with those airways on the back, front and bottom covered) you're fine.

I think this urban myth largely comes from people misusing laptops by leaving them on their beds and so on.

Ok, thank you very much!

[Crazy Tiger]

Important is that you put it on a hard surface, as Crunchy mentions. It's important for the airflow as usually there are vents on the bottom. If you use it on your lap, use a laptop table (my daughter uses one which is basically a hard surface with a cushion underneath it).

As said, people I know who complain about it put a blanket on their lap and then the laptop on that. That's one way to block airflow and overheat the damn thing.

I myself sit at the kitchen table usually.

Also keep in mind that stuff like browsers can cause more heat for your laptop than some games depending on what you do.

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Important is that you put it on a hard surface, as Crunchy mentions. It's important for the airflow as usually there are vents on the bottom. If you use it on your lap, use a laptop table (my daughter uses one which is basically a hard surface with a cushion underneath it).

As said, people I know who complain about it put a blanket on their lap and then the laptop on that. That's one way to block airflow and overheat the damn thing.

I myself sit at the kitchen table usually.

Also keep in mind that stuff like browsers can cause more heat for your laptop than some games depending on what you do.

Great minds yet again, Mr Tiger!

I was just about to add precisely that about the laptop board. They're not only perfect for keeping the thing on your lap and airflow under control, but especially with more modern laptops, they can be excellent at you stopping getting your legs burnt!

Yes, I'd also echo that getting used to playing with what apps stay open at any given time is a dance you absolutely should learn to do when you own a laptop. It's of great benefit.