Boost Handheld Gaming PC Performance: The Ultimate Guide

Your handheld gaming PC is a modern marvel... a full-fat gaming rig you can take anywhere from Cape Town to Polokwane. But what happens when the framerate stutters during a tense boss fight? Don't stress. Getting more power from your portable powerhouse is easier than you think. This guide will show you exactly how to boost your handheld gaming PC performance, ensuring every session is buttery smooth and ultra-responsive. Let's dive in! 🚀

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - White / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 20 hours (w/o vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Windows 10 & later, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0240-EC4

R599.00In Stock

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable - SXW-00002

R649.00In Stock

PowerA Advantage Wired Xbox Controller - Celestial Green / 3-Way Trigger Locks / Officially Licensed for Xbox Series X|S / XBGP0190-01

R699.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller for PlayStation 5 / PS5, PC: Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons - 8-Way Microswitch D-Pad - HyperTrigger - 6 Remappable Buttons - Chroma RGB   - White- RZ06-04710200-R3G1

R5999.00In Stock

Optimise Your Software for Peak Performance

Before you even think about opening your wallet, the biggest performance gains are often found in software tweaks. This is the foundation for getting the most out of your handheld gaming PC.

In-Game Settings are Your Best Friend

This might seem obvious, but it's the most crucial step. Don't just crank everything to "Ultra" and hope for the best.

• Resolution: Dropping from 1080p to 720p can massively boost FPS with minimal visual loss on a small screen.
• Upscaling Tech: Use AMD FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) or Intel XeSS whenever possible. Setting it to "Performance" or "Balanced" is a fantastic way to improve handheld performance.
• Shadows & Textures: These are often the biggest performance hogs. Lowering them from "Ultra" to "High" or "Medium" can give you a significant FPS boost.

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - Black / RZ06-05210100-R3M1

R2599.00In Stock

FORCE PRO W Wireless Gaming Controller / 2.4 GHz Wireless, Bluetooth, USB 2.0 (USB-C) / Up to 48 hours (w/o lighting & vibration) Battery Life / Compatible Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X|S, Windows 10/11, Android 8 & later / S10-43G0260-C54

R2199.00In Stock

Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142

R849.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally X Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 24GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 1x USB 3.2 Type-C / 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00H2-M003E0

R18999.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

PowerA Advantage Wired Xbox Controller - Celestial Green / 3-Way Trigger Locks / Officially Licensed for Xbox Series X|S / XBGP0190-01

R699.00In Stock

Tame the Operating System

Your device's OS can be a resource hog. Make sure you close unnecessary background applications before launching a game. On Windows-based handhelds like the ROG Ally, check the taskbar for apps running in the background. Every bit of freed-up RAM and CPU power helps to optimise your handheld PC for gaming.

Hardware Upgrades That Make a Real Difference

When software tweaks aren't enough, a few key hardware upgrades can provide a serious boost. These are smart investments to elevate your portable gaming experience.

The SSD Speed Advantage

Is your game taking ages to load, or are you noticing stuttering as you move through large open worlds? Your stock SSD might be the bottleneck. Upgrading to a faster NVMe SSD can dramatically cut down loading times and help assets stream in more smoothly, leading to a much slicker experience. It's one of the most effective ways to boost handheld gaming PC performance for the long term. There are always incredible SSD deals in ZAR to consider.

Essential Gear for a Better Session

Performance isn't just about what's inside the shell. The right external gear can make all the difference. Think about a high-capacity power bank for those extra-long sessions, or a protective case for when you're on the move. Investing in the right gaming accessories deals can seriously upgrade your comfort and playtime. Even simple things like a good screen cleaner are among the must-have tech essentials for any device owner.

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition 8K PC Wired Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05550100-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Mad Catz C.A.T. 7 Gamepad - 2 Profiles + 2 Macro Settings - Detachable Micro-USB Connection - OLED Display for Configuration - 6 Programmable Tactile Buttons - Multi-Format Compatibility, ideal for PC and console gaming / GCPCCAINBL000-0-SN

R899.00In Stock

Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05

R2499.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

MARVO Monka Contra PS4 Wireless Game Controller / Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS13/Android / 6 hour battery life / 6-axis sensor with 3D-Sensor and G-Sensor / Dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience / Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-96

R349.00In Stock

Elevate Your Immersion with Superior Audio

Performance isn't just about framerates... it's about the entire experience. The built-in speakers on most handhelds are... fine. But they can't compete with the rich, detailed soundscape that brings a game world to life. 🎧

Using a quality gaming headset not only provides better audio but also helps you pinpoint enemy footsteps in competitive shooters. Plus, it offloads audio processing from the device's main speakers, and most importantly, it won't annoy everyone else at the braai.