How to keep gaming laptop cool: 5 Tips and Tricks

It is no secret that many gamers take their gaming laptops with them wherever they go. Whether it’s to a LAN party or just to a friend’s house, gaming laptops are becoming increasingly portable. However, one problem that arises with increased portability is heat.
Let’s face it, gaming laptops tend to get quite hot, and this can lead to performance issues as well as discomfort while gaming. So, what can be done to keep gaming laptop cool?
In this article, we will offer some tips and tricks on how to keep your gaming laptop cool. Some of the methods are simple and easy to do, while others may require you to purchase additional hardware. Let’s cool your laptop like in a cube of ice! Right!
Table of Contents
What Causes Overheating in Gaming Laptops
There are many factors that can contribute to a gaming laptop overheating. Here are some of the most common causes:
Poor air circulation:
If your gaming laptop is placed in an area with poor air circulation, it will have a harder time staying cool. Make sure to place it in a well-ventilated area.
Dust buildup:
Over time, dust can accumulate inside your gaming laptop and block airflow. This can cause your laptop to overheat. Be sure to clean your laptop regularly to prevent this issue.
Intensive use:
Gaming laptops tend to run hotter than regular laptops because they have more powerful components. If you use your laptop for intense gaming sessions, it will likely get quite hot. Try to take breaks during long gaming sessions to allow your laptop to cool down.
Overclocking:
Overclocking is when you push a computer component beyond its recommended limits in order to achieve better performance. This can put a lot of stress on the component and cause it to overheat. Only overclock if you know what you’re doing and be sure to keep an eye on temperatures while doing so.
Bad thermal paste:
Thermal paste helps transfer heat from the CPU or GPU to the heat sink (a large metal plate that helps dissipate heat). If the thermal paste is not applied properly or dries out, it will not conduct heat as well and can cause overheating issues.
Tips to Keep Gaming Laptop Cool
- Use a cooling pad: A cooling pad is an easy and effective way to help keep your gaming laptop cool.
- Keep it clean: Dust and dirt can block airflow and cause your laptop to overheat. Make sure to clean your laptop regularly, especially the vents and fan.
- Use power-saving mode: When you’re not gaming, put your laptop in power saving mode to help reduce its temperature.
- Avoid using it on soft surfaces: Using your laptop on a soft surface like a bed or couch can block airflow and cause it to overheat. Use a hard, flat surface instead.
- Don’t cover the vents: The vents on your laptop are there for a reason – to allow heat to escape. Don’t cover them up with clothes or anything else that could block the airflow.
Invest in a laptop cooler
As any PC gamer will tell you, one of the most important pieces of equipment for gaming is a good laptop cooler. While a standard laptop cooling pad can help to some extent, if you really want to keep your gaming laptop cool, you’ll need something more powerful.
There are a few different types of laptop coolers on the market, but our top pick is the Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB. This cooler features three 120mm RGB fans that can be controlled via a handy remote control, and it also comes with an integrated four-port USB 3.0 hub.
If you’re looking for something a little simpler (and cheaper), then the Targus Chill Mat Plus is a great option. This mat has two built-in fans and can be powered via USB or AC adapter. It’s also slim and light enough to easily carry around with you when traveling.
No matter which cooler you choose, investing in one is essential for any serious PC gamer who wants to keep their laptop cool and prevent overheating during long gaming sessions.
Clean the fan and vents regularly
If you want your gaming laptop to stay cool, you need to regularly clean the fan and vents. Dust and other debris can clog up the fan and prevent it from properly cooling the components inside your laptop.
To clean the fan, first unplug your laptop from any power source. Then, use a can of compressed air to blow away any dust or debris that’s accumulated on the fan blades. You can also use a soft brush to gently remove any larger pieces of debris.
Once the fan is clean, you’ll need to clean the vents that allow air to flow into and out of the laptop. These vents can also become clogged with dust and debris over time. To clean them, simply use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any debris that’s blocking the airflow.
By taking these simple steps, you can ensure that your gaming laptop stays cool and performs at its best.
Use a cooling pad
A cooling pad is an essential piece of equipment for any gamer who wants to keep their laptop cool. There are a variety of different types and sizes of cooling pads available, so it’s important to choose one that will fit your laptop snugly.
Once you have your cooling pad, simply place your laptop on top of it and plug it in. The fans in the cooling pad will help to circulate air around your laptop and prevent it from overheating.
If you find that your laptop is still getting too hot, even with a cooling pad, there are a few other things you can try. One is to prop up your laptop on a few books or other objects so that air can circulate more freely around it. Another is to use a software program like SpeedFan to help monitor and control the temperature of your laptop.
Adjust settings to reduce heat output
There are a few things you can do to help keep gaming laptop cool and reduce heat output. One is to adjust the settings. Many games have options for graphics quality. By lowering the graphics quality, you can help reduce the amount of heat that is generated. Another setting that can be adjusted is the frame rate. A lower frame rate will also result in less heat being generated.
You can also try to keep gaming laptop cool by using external cooling devices. These can help to draw heat away from the laptop and help keep it cooler. Some examples of external cooling devices include cooling pads and fans.
Conclusion
Although gaming laptops are designed to handle the heat of intense gaming sessions, keeping them cool is still important for optimal performance. With the tips and tricks outlined above, you should now be prepared to monitor your laptop’s temperature and take steps to keep it cool.
Keeping your laptop clean, utilizing cooling pads or stands, and managing system settings can all make a big difference in reducing its temperature and ensuring that it has a long life.