Should You Charge Your Gaming Laptop While Gaming?
In this article, we will explore the benefits and potential drawbacks of charging your gaming laptop while it is in use. We will also discuss the impact of different settings and provide tips on how to maximize the performance and longevity of your gaming laptop.General Guidelines for Charging Your Gaming Laptop
In general, it is better to maintain your gaming laptop's battery charge level and charge it while it is in use. This approach ensures optimal performance and prolonged battery life. However, it is important to understand the circumstances under which charging your gaming laptop while gaming is recommended and the effects it may have.Why Charge Your Gaming Laptop While Gaming?
Optimal Performance
Charging your gaming laptop while it is in use can significantly enhance its performance. When the charger is connected, the laptop runs in a "Performance" mode rather than a "Power Saving" mode. This means that the system provides more power to the CPU and GPU, resulting in better performance. In a "Power Saving" mode, these components operate at a lower power level, which can lead to a noticeable decrease in performance.Discrete GPU Considerations
Most gaming laptops are designed to automatically switch to a low-power mode when the charger is not connected. This typically disables the discrete GPU, leading to a loss of gaming performance. While some laptops may allow you to keep the discrete GPU enabled, this often results in a significant reduction in battery life, sometimes from 6-12 hours to just 1-2 hours.Impact on Battery Life
While it is true that continuous charging while gaming can theoretically reduce battery life, modern gaming laptops are designed to withstand this. In most cases, this practice will not damage the battery. However, if you do not want to use your laptop with the charger connected, it is advisable to choose a different type of laptop that is optimized for portability and battery life.Note: My personal experience involved a laptop that occasionally overloaded its charger, possibly due to a manufacturing defect or silicon quirk. While this is a rare occurrence, you can avoid such issues by getting a charger rated for a higher wattage.