Handheld Gaming PC Optimization: Pro Tips for Max Performance

So, you've got a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Legion Go in your hands. Awesome! You're holding a universe of PC gaming that fits in your backpack. But are you truly getting every drop of power from it? Squeezing out those extra frames per second or another hour of battery life is what separates a good experience from a great one. This guide is all about practical handheld gaming PC optimization, giving you pro tips for max performance right here in South Africa.

MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA

R18999.00In 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

MARVO GT-88 WIRELESS GAMING GAMEPAD / Compatible With PC / Analog Mini Sticks With Xbox Positioning / Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers / Rapid Fire With Turbo Mode / Dual Motors For Vibration Feedback / Soft, Sweat-resistant Coating / GT-88

R499.00In Stock

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

R649.00In Stock

Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1

R5199.00In 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

Fine-Tuning Your Digital Engine 🔧

Before you even launch a game, the biggest performance gains are often found at the system level. Proper handheld gaming PC optimization starts with a clean and updated foundation. Think of it as servicing your car before a long road trip.

First, keep your drivers and firmware updated. For devices like the ROG Ally, this means regularly checking Armoury Crate and the MyASUS app. For the Steam Deck, Valve pushes updates automatically, but it never hurts to check the System settings in Gaming Mode. These updates often include crucial performance fixes and stability improvements for new games.

Next, manage your background processes. Apps like Discord, browser tabs, or cloud storage clients can quietly sip away at your CPU and RAM. On Windows-based handhelds, use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to see what's running before you start a gaming session. Every bit of freed-up resource is more power for your game. A quality USB-C hub from our range of tech essentials can make managing your device and peripherals on a desk much easier.

Mastering In-Game Performance Settings

This is where the real magic happens. Diving into a game's graphics menu can feel intimidating, but a few key tweaks can dramatically boost performance without making your game look like a potato.

Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1

R2999.00In 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 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

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

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

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

The Power of Upscaling and TDP

Most modern handhelds rely on AMD APUs, which means you have access to FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR). This clever tech renders your game at a lower resolution and then intelligently upscales it, giving you a massive FPS boost. Always enable FSR and set it to "Quality" or "Balanced" for the best results. It's a cornerstone of modern handheld performance.

Another critical tool is adjusting the Thermal Design Power (TDP). This setting controls how much power the processor can draw. A higher TDP gives you more performance but drains the battery faster. A lower TDP extends your playtime, perfect for less demanding indie games. Experiment with custom power profiles to find the sweet spot for each game.

Don't forget that a smooth visual experience is only half the battle. Immersive audio can make a world of difference, pulling you right into the action. A good pair of earbuds or one of our top-tier gaming headsets will ensure you hear every footstep and explosion with crystal clarity.

Essential Hardware Upgrades for Max Performance 🚀

While software tweaks are powerful, sometimes a hardware upgrade is the best path to unlocking your device's full potential. These simple changes can provide a noticeable boost.

The single most effective hardware upgrade is swapping out the internal SSD. Many handhelds ship with smaller, slower drives. Upgrading not only gives you more space for your growing library but can drastically cut down on loading times in games like Starfield or Baldur's Gate 3. Check out our latest SSD deals to find a high-speed NVMe drive that fits your device.

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

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

R649.00In 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

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

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

Finally, consider your full setup. A handheld is great on the go, but what about at home? With a dock, you can transform it into a full desktop experience. Connect a high-refresh-rate monitor, a mechanical keyboard, and a precision mouse to dominate in competitive titles. Our huge selection of gaming accessories has everything you need to build out your ultimate hybrid setup.