MSI Claw 8 AI+ cooling tips to reduce heat & boost performance

So, you've got your eye on the brand new MSI Claw 8 AI+... or maybe you've already pre-ordered this beast. With its powerful Intel Lunar Lake processor, it’s set to be a portable powerhouse. But with great power comes great heat, especially in a compact handheld. Don't stress. We've got the essential MSI Claw 8 AI+ cooling tips you need to keep your device frosty and your framerates flying high. ❄️

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

R849.00In Stock

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

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

Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA

R13499.00In Stock

MARVO GT-84 Wireless Gaming Controller - Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS/Android - 6 hour battery life - Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers - 6-axis sensor and dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience - Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-84

R399.00In Stock

Adata SC735 1TB High-Performance External SSD with USB-C / 1,050MB/s Read & 1,000MB/s Write Speeds / Cable-Free Mobile Phone Compatibility / Gaming Handheld Compatible / Supports Latest Game Consoles / Multi-OS Support / SC735-1000G-CCBK/GY

R2199.00In Stock

Master Your Software for a Cooler Claw

Before you even think about hardware, the biggest performance gains and temperature drops can be found right in the device's software. These are the free, easy MSI Claw 8 AI+ cooling tips that everyone should apply on day one.

Tame the Beast with MSI Center M

MSI's own software is your primary command centre for performance. Dive into the settings and you'll find options for different performance scenarios, from "Extreme Performance" to "Super Battery".

For gaming, start with the "Balanced" profile and then create a custom user profile. Here, you can manually adjust the fan curves. By telling the fans to spin up a little earlier, you can prevent heat from building up in the first place, stopping thermal throttling before it ever starts. This simple tweak is crucial to reduce heat and boost performance on the MSI Claw.

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

R849.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA

R13499.00In Stock

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In 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

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

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2A 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 / <span style="color: red;" >Xbox Game Pass Included</span> / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

Optimise Your In-Game Settings

It sounds obvious, but don't just crank every game to "Ultra" and hope for the best. Handhelds require a smarter approach. Lowering demanding settings like shadows, anti-aliasing, or ambient occlusion can drastically lower temperatures with minimal visual impact on that smaller screen. Also, make sure you're using Intel's XeSS (Xe Super Sampling) where available. It uses AI to boost framerates, meaning the hardware doesn't have to work as hard... which means less heat. Ensuring your OS and drivers are always updated is another one of those crucial tech essentials for stable performance.

Smart Physical & Environmental Cooling Tips

How and where you use your MSI Claw matters. These physical adjustments are simple but effective ways to improve your device's thermals.

Give It Room to Breathe

The MSI Claw 8 AI+ has air intake and exhaust vents. The number one rule? Don't block them! Avoid playing with the device flat on a blanket or pillow, as this suffocates the vents and traps hot air. Holding it in your hands naturally allows for airflow, but if you're setting it down, consider a simple stand. While you're browsing for one, you can check out other awesome gaming accessories deals that can seriously upgrade your entire setup.

Playing in a cooler, air-conditioned room will also make a noticeable difference to the device's peak temperatures during an intense gaming session.

Upgrades to Boost Performance & Lower Temps 🚀

While the MSI Claw 8 AI+ is a beast out of the box, a couple of smart upgrades can enhance the experience, indirectly helping with performance and your perception of its cooling.

Upgrade Your Storage

A faster NVMe SSD doesn't just mean quicker loading screens. A high-quality, efficient drive can reduce overall system strain and power consumption compared to slower, older models. While it won't drastically change the CPU temperature, it contributes to a snappier, more responsive system that feels faster and smoother. Upgrading is a fantastic way to improve the entire experience, so check out some of the best SSD deals in South Africa to see what's possible.

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

R849.00In 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

Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA

R17499.00In Stock

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

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 Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1

R4199.00In Stock

Tune Out the Noise

When you optimise your fan curves for better cooling, the fans will naturally be a bit louder. To keep your focus squarely on the game without any distractions, a great headset is essential. It allows you to immerse yourself in the game's audio world, making fan noise completely irrelevant. You can find some incredible gaming headset deals that deliver amazing sound without costing a fortune.

By combining these software, environmental, and hardware-focused MSI Claw 8 AI+ cooling tips, you'll ensure your new handheld runs at its absolute best, giving you the performance you paid for without the heat. Happy gaming!