Summary
- Unplayable frame rates? Time for an upgrade! Hardware can't keep up with modern game demands.
- Overheating and loud noises? Signs of underlying issues - don't ignore. Hardware could be failing.
- Consider upgrades before buying a new laptop. Simple fixes like more RAM or an SSD can boost performance.
No matter how powerful your gaming laptop is, eventually, you will need to add a few upgrades like RAM or replace it with a more powerful model to keep up with modern game demands. Things like overheating and daily wear and tear can also cause degradation of your laptop's components, which impacts performance. Knowing when to upgrade your gaming laptop will ensure you have the right arsenal to dominate and win games. If you notice any of the following signs, it might be time for an upgrade!
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7 Unplayable Framerates
The frame rate is everything in gaming, especially esports. If your laptop can no longer maintain high frame rates in games that used to run smoothly, it's time for an upgrade. Game developers constantly add new features and visuals to enhance gameplay. Even if you try to lower the settings or resolution with each update, it will reach a time when your hardware just doesn't cut it anymore.
Unlike desktops, where you can replace the GPU with a more powerful one, the laptop's CPU and GPU are soldered on the motherboard, preventing any possibility of upgrades. If you're getting unusable frame rates or games freeze and crash repeatedly, your gaming laptop might be on its last legs. You can give your laptop a graphics punch with an external GPU enclosure like the Aorus RTX 4090 Gaming Box, but for $2000, you should just get a new gaming laptop.
6 Overheating and Loud Noises
Gaming laptops will get warm and blast their fans during intense gaming sessions. However, if the fans run at full speed or the laptop gets too hot even when performing light tasks like using Word or during startup, it could indicate an underlying issue.
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Clogged dust and poor airflow are common culprits for overheating problems. For instance, placing your laptop on a soft surface like a bed or pillow can restrict airflow and increase fan speed. But if your laptop continues to overheat despite thorough cleaning or when placed on a flat surface, there might be an irreparable hardware issue.
5 Slow Startup and Frequent Crashes
If your laptop takes forever to boot, takes longer to open games, or just feels sluggish, it might be time to consider a new one. Most laptops boot within seconds unless they're installing updates. If the laptop suddenly takes forever to boot or games take significantly longer to load than before, the CPU or GPU might be on its way out.
The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), or a system crash, is one of the things you don't want to experience on your laptop, not even once. BSOD is primarily caused by hardware failure, driver issues, and sometimes malware. If your laptop is frequently BSODing during startup, when running games, or just randomly, it can indicate critical hardware failure.
4 Hardware Components Failing
How many times are you going to send that laptop for repair? PC components fail, some from general wear and tear or damage caused by accidental drops or spills. If the cost of repairing and replacing parts on your faulty laptop comes in at half or more of the cost of a new laptop, upgrading is the smarter decision. Sure, you spend more, but you're also getting better, more powerful hardware, not to mention warranty coverage for peace of mind.
The keyboard and screen are among the most commonly damaged parts of a laptop. Critical hardware failures like CPU or motherboard issues can also completely brick your device. If your laptop is starting to show its age or repair costs become too much, it’s time to consider upgrading before it becomes a costly inconvenience.
3 Can’t Play Newer Games
Have you tried to run games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Microsoft Flight Simulator on an old laptop? Even some newer laptops need to boost all their cores and run fans at full RPM to handle games like Flight Simulator. If you still use your old trusty laptop with a GeForce MX250 for gaming, you'll struggle to get respectable framerates on modern games. While some games are optimized to run well on low-end hardware, upgrading to a newer model with a more powerful processor and graphics card will allow you to experience the latest games at their full potential.
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2 Incompatible With New Features
If you want to take advantage of new technologies like AI image upscaling and DirectStorage, you'll need a recent laptop with a compatible GPU. These technologies can significantly enhance your gaming experience when used with a supported gaming laptop. DirectStorage specifically requires an NVMe drive (PCIe 3.0 or later) and a GPU that supports DirectX 12.
While DirectStorage is yet to pick up pace, image upscaling technologies like NVIDIA's DLSS have become essential for gamers. The latest DLSS 3 includes frame generation for smoother, more responsive gameplay, but this requires an RTX 40 Series GPU. If you're still using an older laptop with a GTX GPU, you're missing out on valuable features that can improve your gaming experience.
1 You Might Not Need to Buy a New Laptop
While buying a new laptop is sometimes the best decision, it's often the case that you can still squeeze some extra performance from your gaming laptop with inexpensive upgrades. If your laptop is running slowly, adding more RAM and an SSD or deleting temporary and unused files can give it a speed boost. Lowering in-game settings or resolution can also boost frame rates for competitive gaming. If everything else fails, consider upgrading to a high-performance RTX 4070 laptop.
FAQ
Q: How long should you wait to upgrade your gaming PC?
A gaming laptop usually lasts between two and five years or longer, but you should consider upgrading if it no longer meets your needs, like supporting your favorite games.
Q: How do you know when it's time to replace your laptop?
If your laptop becomes slow, crashes frequently, or can't run the latest games, then it's time for a replacement. If you're tight on funds, you can consider upgrading it with more RAM or an SSD to buy yourself more time.