Handheld Gaming PC Overheating? Your Ultimate Cooling Guide

You’re deep into a tense firefight in Helldivers 2 on your ROG Ally, the action is frantic… and then it happens. Stutter. Lag. Your frames drop off a cliff. Your powerful portable rig is suddenly hot enough to brew a cup of rooibos tea. A handheld gaming PC overheating is more than just an annoyance; it’s a performance killer. But don’t stress, we’ve got the ultimate South African guide to keeping your cool.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC - 6 Remappable Buttons - Fast Triggers - Customizable Thumbsticks - Wired Tournament Mode - Black / RZ06-05200100-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC / 6 Remappable Buttons / Fast Triggers / Customizable Thumbsticks / Wired Tournament Mode - White / RZ06-05200200-R3M1

R4999.00In 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

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

R699.00In Stock

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

Xbox Wireless Controller – Velocity Green for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows Devices / QAU-00091

R1599.00In Stock

Why Your Handheld Gaming PC is Overheating

Let's get straight to it. These compact powerhouses pack desktop-level components into a chassis smaller than a textbook. That incredible performance generates serious heat. When the built-in fans can't keep up, the system protects itself by "thermal throttling"—slashing performance to cool down.

Common culprits include:

• Blocked Vents: Fluff from your backpack or playing on a blanket can suffocate your device.
• Dust Buildup: Over time, dust clogs heatsinks and fans, trapping heat inside.
• Demanding Games: Pushing ultra settings at high resolutions will naturally work the hardware harder.
• Ambient Temperature: Gaming in the Highveld summer sun is a recipe for a hot handheld.

Solving a handheld gaming PC overheating issue often starts with the basics. A little maintenance can make a massive difference.

Steelseries Nimbus+ Gamepad / Apple Gaming Controller / 50 hour Battery Life / Dedicated Navigation Buttons / Built-in Rechargeable Battery / Designed specifically for Apple Gaming / 69089

R1799.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Mobile Gaming Controller - Phantom White / Full-sized Controller Form Factor / Full-sized TMR Thumbsticks / Unparalleled Case Compatibility / RZ06-03550200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

FORCE GC300 Wireless Gaming Controller - Black / 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 / S10-43G0180-EC4

R799.00In Stock

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

R2699.00In 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

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

Simple Fixes for Handheld Overheating Issues

Before you think about complex mods, try these simple, effective strategies. You'll be surprised how much they can help restore your performance.

1. Clean Your Vents & Check Your Environment 🔧

This is the easiest win. Take a look at your device's intake and exhaust vents. Are they clear? Use a soft brush or a can of compressed air (in short bursts!) to clear out any visible dust. Make it a habit. Keeping your gear in top shape is one of the most crucial tech essentials for longevity. Also, always play on a hard, flat surface to ensure maximum airflow.

Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller - Pulse Red / Enhanced Comfort / New Hybrid D-pad / Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth Technology / 3.5mm Audio Jack / QAU-00012

R1599.00In Stock

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

R849.00In 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

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC / 6 Remappable Buttons / Fast Triggers / Customizable Thumbsticks / Wired Tournament Mode - White / RZ06-05200200-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

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

R699.00In Stock

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 - White / RZ06-05210200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

2. Optimise Your In-Game & System Settings

You don't always need to run everything on Ultra. Lowering shadows or texture quality a notch can significantly reduce the load on the GPU and APU, leading to lower temperatures and more stable framerates.

Most handhelds, like the Steam Deck, also allow you to adjust the Thermal Design Power (TDP). Lowering the TDP limits the wattage the processor can draw, directly reducing heat output. It’s a trade-off, but finding the sweet spot for each game preserves battery life and keeps things cool.

3. Upgrade Your Components Strategically

While you're optimising your handheld for cool performance, don't let poor audio or slow loading times ruin the immersion. A great headset helps you focus on the game, not the whir of your fans. You can find some excellent options in our best gaming headset deals to complete your portable setup. Similarly, upgrading your internal storage with one of the best SSD deals in South Africa can reduce load times, meaning the system spends less time working at 100% just to get you into the game.

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

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

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC / 6 Remappable Buttons / Fast Triggers / Customizable Thumbsticks / Wired Tournament Mode - White / RZ06-05200200-R3M1

R4999.00In 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

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

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

Advanced Cooling Solutions ✨

If software tweaks aren't enough, it might be time to look at hardware. Many companies now make external cooling fans that clip onto the back of popular handhelds. These accessories actively pull hot air away from the chassis, providing a significant thermal boost. While you're browsing for a solution, you might find other useful items in our wide range of gaming accessories deals to enhance your on-the-go experience.

Ultimately, preventing your handheld PC from overheating is about smart management. By keeping it clean, optimising settings, and considering a few key accessories, you can ensure smooth, throttle-free gaming sessions no matter where you are.