I'm considering selling my laptop and switching to a gaming PC. My laptop has good specs (i5 12450h, 16GB RAM, 4050 GPU, and 512GB SSD), but its performance has been declining, and it often runs at a scorching 95°C, even on max fan speed. I've already repasted the CPU and GPU but it hasn't helped. I want to consistently get 250 fps on Fortnite, but I struggle to reach 150, even after factory resets. I have a monitor for the PC (though it's only 60Hz for now), and I plan to upgrade it later. I'm also looking at getting a Steam Deck to keep gaming fun on the go. Do you think selling my laptop is a smart move?
4 Answers
You're definitely thermal throttling at 95°C. Good call on the repaste! Make sure all your fans are operational; that could be causing the overheating. Generally, desktops have superior cooling, which translates into better performance. Just make sure to keep an eye on fan health.
It's crucial to keep the cooling vents clean and ensure there’s enough airflow. If you're gaming at home, try using a cooling pad or even modify the laptop a bit for better ventilation if you stick with it. But honestly with that overheating issue, switching to a desktop sounds like the right call.
Honestly, for gaming, PCs typically outperform laptops. The thermal issues are a big downside for laptops, and when you compare GPUs, a laptop RTX 4070 can be up to 20% weaker than its desktop counterpart. So if you’re serious about gaming, a desktop might be a better choice. Just keep in mind that you'll have to invest a bit more into building the PC.
I have some budget set aside for this, and the PC I’m considering isn’t too over the top, so the investment won’t be huge. Plus, no more cooling issues!
If you're gaming mostly at home, a desktop makes more sense. If you need portability, that's when a laptop shines. But since you’re already considering a Steam Deck for portable gaming and only game at home, a desktop should work out well for you. Just remember to keep your cooling setup efficient.
I checked MSI Afterburner, and both fans are spinning at full speed.