Has your laptop started to slow down, get warm, or can’t play modern games? Don't rush to buy a new one! Even old models Lenovo ThinkPad, Dell XPS or ASUS ROG can be significantly speeded up - the main thing is to know where to start. In this article, we will look at all the ways to improve performance: from replacing components to fine-tuning Windows and BIOS.

We won’t advise “just clean the dust” - this is a basic procedure that everyone knows about. Let's focus instead on real methods, which give a noticeable increase in FPS in games, reduce video rendering time or speed up the loading of heavy projects in Photoshop/AutoCAD. We’ll also tell you what upgrades make no sense for 90% of laptops from 2018–2023 - so that you don't waste money in vain.

1. Upgrading RAM: when and how it works

Adding RAM is the easiest and most effective way to speed up a laptop if it... slows down when multitasking. For example, when working with 20+ Chrome tabs at the same time, Visual Studio And Figma. But there are nuances:

  • 🔍 Check the maximum amount of RAM for your model via Crucial System Scanner or the official website of the manufacturer. For example, MacBook Pro 2015 supports up to 16 GB, and Dell Latitude 7490 - up to 32 GB.
  • ⚡ Dual channel mode gives +15–30% productivity. Install two sticks of the same size (for example, 2x8 GB instead of 1x16 GB).
  • 🚫 Do not combine planks of different generations (for example, DDR3 and DDR4) - this will lead to a drop in frequency to the minimum.

How to choose RAM? Focus on frequency (from 2400 MHz for DDR4) and timings (lower is better, for example CL16). For gaming laptops (MSI GE76, Acer Predator) optimally 32 GB DDR4-3200. For office (HP EliteBook, Lenovo IdeaPad) 16 GB DDR4-2666 is enough.

⚠️ Attention: In soldered laptops (for example, MacBook Air M1 or ASUS ZenBook 14X) it is impossible to replace the RAM - it is integrated into the motherboard. Check it out before you buy!
📊 How much RAM does your laptop have?
  • 4–8 GB
  • 16 GB
  • 32 GB
  • 64 GB or more

2. Replacing SSD: NVMe vs SATA and why it's important

Switching from HDD to SSD speeds up Windows boot time 3–5 times, and launching games like GTA V or Cyberpunk 2077 - up to 40%. But not all SSDs are created equal. Let's compare the key parameters:

Drive type Reading speed Write speed Price for 1 TB What tasks is it suitable for?
SATA SSD (2.5") 500–550 MB/s 450–500 MB/s ~5 000 ₽ Office, web surfing, old games
NVMe PCIe 3.0 3,000–3,500 MB/s 2,000–2,500 MB/s ~6 500 ₽ Modern games, video editing
NVMe PCIe 4.0 5,000–7,000 MB/s 4,000–5,000 MB/s ~9 000 ₽ 4K rendering, AAA projects in Unreal Engine

Optimal for most laptops Samsung 980 Pro (PCIe 4.0) or WD Black SN770 (PCIe 3.0). But before you buy, check:

  1. Does your laptop have a slot M.2 2280 (find out via HWiNFO or disassembly).
  2. Does the motherboard support PCIe 4.0 (relevant for Ryzen 5000/6000 And Intel 11th–13th generations).
  3. Do I need a heat sink sticker (for high performance NVMe type Seagate FireCuda 530).
💡

If your laptop only has one M.2 slot and you need to keep the old HDD, use an adapter M.2 → SATA (For example, ORICO M2P-C3) to install an SSD instead of a DVD drive.

3. Overclocking the processor: risks and real benefits

Overclocking (overclocking) the CPU gives a performance increase of 5–15%, but only for laptops with unlocked multipliers (For example, Intel Core i7-12700H or AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX). For office processors (Intel U-series, AMD Ryzen 3/5) overclocking is useless or even harmful.

How to overclock your CPU safely:

Install a temperature monitoring program (HWMonitor or Core Temp)

Update the BIOS to the latest version (download from the manufacturer’s website)

Disable Turbo Boost in the BIOS if you plan to overclock manually

Prepare the cooling system (cleaning + new thermal paste)

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To overclock use:

  • 🔧 Intel: ThrottleStop (for laptops) or Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (for desktop CPUs in laptops like MSI GT77).
  • 🔧 AMD: Ryzen Master (only for processors with the suffix H/HX).
⚠️ Attention: Overclocking on laptops with poor cooling systems (for example, HP Pavilion or Acer Aspire 5) will lead to throttling (automatic frequency reduction) already at 85–90°C. The maximum permissible temperature for most CPUs is 95°C.

Example configuration for Intel Core i7-11800H in ThrottleStop:

FIVR Control:

- CPU Core: +100 мВ (offset)


- CPU Cache: +100 мВ (offset)


- Undervolt: -125 мВ (для снижения температуры)



TS Bench:


- Длительный тест (15+ минут) при нагрузке 100%


- Целевая температура: до 85°C

4. Optimize Windows for maximum performance

Even without a hardware upgrade, you can speed up your laptop by 20–30%by disabling unnecessary services and configuring the system. Let's start with the most effective:

  • 🛠️ Disable visual effects:
    1. Click Win + R, enter sysdm.cpl.
    2. Go to the tab Advanced → Performance → Options.
    3. Select Provide the best performance.
  • 🔄 Set up the swap file: For 16GB RAM, set to fixed size 2048–4096 MB (via Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings).
  • 🚫 Disable unnecessary startups: Use Task Manager → Startup or Autoruns from Microsoft.

    • For gaming laptops (ASUS TUF, Legion Lenovo) additionally:

    1. Отключите Game Bar и Game DVR:

    Настройки → Игры → Режим игры (отключить)
    

    Настройки → Игры → Панель игр Xbox (отключить)
    


    2. Установите приоритет для игр:
    

    Запустите игру → Откройте Диспетчер задач → Правая кнопка по процессу → Задать сродство → Выберите только физические ядра (например, 0–7 для 8-ядерного CPU).

    List of Windows services that can be disabled

    - DiagTrack (telemetry)

    - SysMain (Superfetch)

    - WSearch (indexing if you do not use file search)

    - XboxGipSvc (Xbox services)

    - OneSyncSvc (Microsoft Account synchronization)

    5. BIOS update: hidden features of your laptop

    Manufacturers often disable features in the BIOS by default. For example, in Lenovo Legion 5 can be unlocked Advanced Menuto access settings TDP (CPU/GPU power) or Undervolting. How to update BIOS safely:

    1. Download the latest version from official website (For example, Lenovo or Dell).
    2. Connect your laptop to UPS (uninterruptible power supply) - interrupting the update will lead to “bricking”.
    3. Run the update via EXE file on Windows or USB flash drive (for laptops without OS).

    After updating, check:

    • 🔓 Unlocked settings TDP (for example, in ASUS ROG you can increase the GPU power from 80W to 100W).
    • 🔄 Possibility to disable Optimus (for laptops with NVIDIAto make games run on a discrete graphics card).
    • ⚡ Support for new processors (relevant for laptops with a replaceable CPU, for example, Clevo or Schenker).
    ⚠️ Attention: In laptops Apple (even on Intel) updating the BIOS through third-party utilities will void the warranty and possible system failure. Use only Apple Software Update.

    6. External video card (eGPU): is it worth the trouble?

    Connecting an external video card via Thunderbolt 3/4 or USB4 can increase gaming performance by 30–70%, but there are limitations:

    Parameter Thunderbolt 3 (4 PCIe lanes) Thunderbolt 4 / USB4
    Performance Loss 15–25% 10–20%
    Max. GPU power up to 375W (with external power supply) up to 400W
    Cost of the set from 20,000 ₽ (case + used GPU) from 25,000 ₽

    Best eGPU options:

    • 💰 Budget: Razer Core X + RTX 3060 Ti (~80,000 ₽). Gain in Fortnite (1080p): from 30 to 90 FPS.
    • ⚡ Productive: ASUS ROG XG Mobile + RTX 4090 (~250,000 ₽). Suitable for Blender or Unreal Engine 5.
    • 🔄 Universal: Sonnet Breakaway Box + RX 6800 XT (~120,000 ₽). Better for macOS.

    Before purchasing please check:

    1. Does the laptop have Thunderbolt 3/4 (port with ⚡ symbol). USB-C Will not work without Thunderbolt!
    2. Does your model support external GPU (list of compatible laptops: egpu.io).
    3. Is an additional cooling system required (for example, for RTX 4080 in compact housings like AKiTiO Node).
    💡

    An eGPU is only beneficial for laptops with weak integrated graphics (e.g. Intel Iris Xe or MX150). For laptops with RTX 3060 and above, the increase will be minimal (5–15%).

    7. Alternative methods: what else can be done

    If upgrading your hardware is not possible, try these methods:

    • 🧹 System cleaning: Delete temporary files via %temp% And Prefetch, as well as the remains of programs using Revo Uninstaller.
    • 🔄 Switching to Linux: For old laptops (Core 2 Duo, Pentium) distribution Xubuntu or Linux Mint XFCE will give +50% productivity.
    • ☁️ Cloud rendering: Services type Google Colab (free) or Renderforest (from 500 ₽/month) will replace a weak CPU/GPU for video editing.
    • 🎮 Streaming games: GeForce NOW or Xbox Cloud Gaming will allow you to play Cyberpunk 2077 on a laptop with Intel UHD Graphics.

    For owners MacBook (especially on Apple Silicon):

    1. Отключите Spotlight индексирование:

    sudo mdutil -a -i off
    


    2. Установите iStat Menus для мониторинга температуры и загрузки CPU.
    


    3. Используйте CleanMyMac X для очистки кеша и удаления дубликатов.

    💡

    On laptops with Apple M1/M2 the only way to “upgrade” is to optimize the software. Replacing SSD or RAM is physically impossible.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about laptop upgrades

    Is it possible to replace the processor in a laptop?

    Only on models with removable CPU (For example, Dell Precision, Clevo or old HP EliteBook). In 90% of modern laptops, the processor is soldered to the motherboard. Before purchasing a new CPU, check:

    • Socket (for example, BGA 1744 for Intel 12th generation).
    • BIOS support (update may be required).
    • TDP (do not install a 45W processor in a laptop rated for 15W).
    Should I change thermal paste to liquid metal?

    Liquid metal (Thermal Grizzly Conductonaut) reduces the temperature by 5–10°C, but:

    • ⚠️ Risk of short circuit if applied carelessly.
    • 🔧 Requires complete disassembly of the laptop (on some models you need to remove the motherboard).
    • 💰 The cost (~3,000 ₽) is justified only for gaming laptops with RTX 3070 Ti and above.

    For most users, a high-quality paste is sufficient (Noctua NT-H2 or Arctic MX-6).

    How to check what exactly is slowing down your laptop?

    Use these tools:

    1. HWiNFO — real-time monitoring of CPU/GPU/RAM load.
    2. LatencyMon — checking delays (useful for audio/video work).
    3. UserBenchmark - comparison of performance with other laptops.
    4. CrystalDiskMark — SSD/HDD speed test.

    Typical bottlenecks:

    • 🖥️ 100% disk load - problem with SSD or viruses.
    • 🔥 CPU throttling (frequency drops below the base) - overheating or weak power.
    • 🎮 Low FPS at 30% GPU load - drivers or TDP limitation.
    Which laptops are the easiest to upgrade?

    Top 5 models with maximum maintainability (according to iFixit):

    1. Dell XPS 15 (9520) — replacement of SSD, RAM, batteries.
    2. Lenovo ThinkPad T14 — removable CPU (on some modifications), two RAM slots.
    3. Framework Laptop — modular design (replacement of ports, screens, keyboards).
    4. HP EliteBook 840 G8 — access to cooling and storage without complete disassembly.
    5. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 — replacement of SSD and RAM (but difficult access to the cooling system).

    Worst upgrade options: MacBook Air/Pro (everything is soldered) Acer Swift (single board design), MSI Modern (RAM on board).