Depending on which games you prefer to play, you will need a gaming machine that provides high-quality, smooth-playing graphics. In this case, OMEN gaming laptops are a great place to look. Such laptops are designed to provide the best possible gaming experience thanks to sophisticated hardware with advanced processing capabilities.
When shopping, you will likely come across various metrics that tell you about the machine’s performance, and one of the main metrics you’re likely to encounter is frames per second (FPS). This article takes a closer look at FPS and how to get more FPS on a gaming laptop.
What is FPS and why does it matter?
Computer graphics work similarly to movies in that the moving images are made from individual images (frames) that combine to make a single, fluid image. The more frames that are shown in a given space of time, the smoother the image will be. FPS tells you how many frames are displayed per second, and the higher the number the better.
Achieving a high FPS with the latest gaming titles can be challenging and will require some of the latest computer technology. However, simpler titles like Minecraft and Roblox won’t need high-end components. Many of the latest strategy games also don’t require a high FPS rate, whereas most action games do.
Gamers should ideally have a machine that will show at least 30 frames per second. However, most would prefer smoother graphics and 60 frames per second has become the standard and some machines will support 120 FPS. However, the impact of faster FPS rates lessens over around 60 FPS because our brains can only process so much visual information at once.
If you’re asking “Why is my gaming laptop getting low FPS rates?”, you’ll find some of the most common reasons and solutions below.
Adjusting your OMEN laptop for optimal FPS
A low FPS will cause game graphics to stutter. Not only will this make the game less aesthetically pleasing, but it can also impede your ability to react quickly. However. if you are experiencing low FPS rates, there are various steps you could take to improve the smoothness of your gameplay.
Decrease graphics settings
Producing 60 high-quality graphics on a screen per second takes a lot of processing power. And the more detail in each frame, the higher the demands on your GPU. In some instances, asking your GPU to run at high graphics settings will mean it doesn’t have enough power left to render frames quickly, causing stuttering images.
Most modern games have settings that let you adjust the graphics quality, freeing up processing power to produce a suitable FPS rate. While this approach might mean you can’t enjoy the impressive details in new games, it will still help ensure you have a positive gaming experience.
Optimising background applications
In some cases, FPS occurs not because the GPU is struggling, but because the CPU and RAM can’t handle the workload. This is often remedied by closing other applications that are using much-needed resources.
You can also use software platforms like the OMEN Gaming Hub, which will help prioritise resources for a smooth gaming experience. The platform can also adjust your gaming laptop settings, optimising your machines for performance.
Update drivers
Drivers are a type of software that lets individual components work with each other. This software is occasionally updated, potentially giving a performance boost that can help improve FPS rates.
To find out which drivers you have, Windows users should look for the device management section in your computer’s control panel. This will give you a list of all installed devices, and right-clicking on each one will give you information including the driver version.
Finding the latest drivers is also easy and most manufacturers will have the latest versions on their websites available to download for free. You will also find tools that will automatically update your drivers for you.
Clean your drive
When your RAM reaches capacity, your computer will often borrow some processing power from available space on your storage device. If your storage is full, however, then there will be no spare processing power to borrow, potentially resulting in FPS issues. A full hard disk drive (HDD) in particular can affect your computer’s performance, especially if fragmented.
As such, deleting unnecessary files and apps from your machine will help free up some space to improve overall performance including FPS rates. If you use an HDD, defragmenting your drive can also make a considerable difference.
Clean your computer
Over time, dust will accumulate on fans and surfaces. This dust can cause your computer to overheat because heat can’t escape and fans become blocked and less effective. As such, you should occasionally clean your machine inside and out, making sure all fans and surfaces are clean.
Future-proofing
Future proofing in this case means investing in a machine that probably has more than you need. While this might sound like a waste of money initially, this approach means it will be longer before you need to upgrade or replace your machine. Taking this approach is an effective way to prevent FPS problems in the future.
Recommended hardware
One of the key factors determining FPS rates is the computer’s components. As such, it’s best to look for particular hardware for the FPS rates you need, and below are some of the most relevant components to look out for.
GPUs
A graphics processor unit (GPU) takes raw data and helps the computer turn it into images on your display. As such, it is one of the most essential components if you want smooth graphics at high settings.
Several manufacturers make GPUs and you will find them available in a wide budget range. You will usually find it's not necessary to invest in the best available GPU, with many games still running smoothly on lower-mid-level options. Of course, this depends largely on which games you will be playing.
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CPUs
The central processing unit (CPU) takes data processed by the GPU and coordinates with other components to bring the images to your screen. This means you need a CPU that can handle the volumes of data involved, otherwise, you will likely experience backlogs. Laptop designers will typically ensure all components are compatible and help get the best performance from each other.
For example, the OMEN Transcend Gaming Laptop (16-u0004na) uses an Intel® Core™ i7 CPU that is powerful enough to work with its NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 (8GB) GPU. This machine is made from aluminium and magnesium, which is lightweight and durable.
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The design also gives this gaming machine aesthetics that would not look out of place in the office. Its four-zoned keyboard and easy-to-use image pad with multi-gesture support will help keep you comfortable and enhance your performance.
Other appealing features of this HP OMEN gaming laptop include an HP True Vision FHD IR camera that’s ideal for coordinating with teammates or streaming your gameplay. You can also expect a quality audio experience with help from dual Bang & Olufsen speakers.
RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) is another key factor behind your laptop’s performance. You can think of it as a workspace that helps the CPU process data. Many laptops and other computers come with at least one spare slot for more RAM, while you can sometimes replace your existing RAM with a more powerful version.
Cooling systems
The cooler a computer’s components are, the faster it can process data. Not only does this involve keeping your computer clean, but it also means using effective cooling systems.
Perhaps the most common way to keep a computer cool is with fans that keep cool air passing through the machine. However, other options are becoming popular, including liquid cooling. Not only can liquid cooling keep your machine cool, but it also does so quietly and the aesthetics can be stunning.
OMEN Gaming Hub
The OMEN Gaming Hub helps gamers get the best performance from their machine. For example, the hub will free up spare RAM, optimise background apps and prioritise your gaming software. The OMEN Gaming Hub can even optimise your network settings for a fast and reliable internet connection.
The OMEN Gaming Hub also offers other features such as the ability to customise your RGB lighting so you can get the aesthetics of your machine as you like them. The hub also makes a convenient place to access all of your games, and it will automatically optimise your machine whenever you start playing.
Summary
FPS rates are one of the most important metrics for gamers because they help ensure smooth gameplay. Above is a brief outline of how to increase FPS on a gaming laptop and some of the most common causes of low FPS rates.
About the Author
Jamie is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. He’s an experienced writer with more than 20 years of writing under his belt. His main niche is online marketing topics but enjoys writing on pretty much any subject under the sun. In his spare time, Jamie enjoys gaming, virtual reality workouts, and relaxing with friends and family.
