AMD A10 What can i do to my laptop to improve its performance?

[Bryan Rodriguez]

My APU has problems running certain games. Iwanted to know if there was anything I could do to improve its performance

 

[Warukyure]

No, unfortunately short of of buying a new computer, you're stuck with what you have in that laptop. Depending how much memory you have, that might give it a "SLIGHT" bump since APUs share memory, the amount it borrows scales with how much RAM you have. So if you have 4 GB, going up to 6 or 8 might help a bit, otherwise if you're at 6 or 8 GB already, nope.

 

[photonboy]

No, unfortunately short of of buying a new computer, you're stuck with what you have in that laptop. Depending how much memory you have, that might give it a "SLIGHT" bump since APUs share memory, the amount it borrows scales with how much RAM you have. So if you have 4 GB, going up to 6 or 8 might help a bit, otherwise if you're at 6 or 8 GB already, nope.

Agreed.

*It's also common to have a BOTTLENECK from the System memory as well on laptops with APU's. Some of the better APU's are bottlenecked below 2400MHz in Dual Channel.

Many laptops only use one stick thus it's in Single Channel (half the potential bandwidth of having both slots used). The CHEAPEST way for you to upgrade is to open up your laptop and see what DDR memory (DDR3-SODIMM ?) is installed and if you have only ONE of two slots used get another identical stick. 8GB (2x4GB) is recommended.

If you can't find IDENTICAL (same model) get one with the same frequency and CAS rating (i.e. 1600MHz CAS9).

*Go to PCPARTPICKER.

(if BOTH slots are used but it's lower frequency such as 1333MHz then replacing that with a 2x4GB kit such as 2133MHz CAS9 might make a difference.)

**THE TEST:
a) download the program 3DMark2001 and run the default benchmark. write down the score.
b) add/update the DDR memory
c) retest

If you for example got a score of 20,000 then got 28,000 your gaming performance should improve since you overcame a bottleneck that was "starving" your GPU (graphics chip).

Other:
run MEMTEST before and after installing memory www.memtest.org

SUMMARY:
a) if one stick used get an IDENTICAL stick for unused slot if possible
b) if both sticks already used consider FASTER MEMORY (no guarantees it will work) such as 2x4GB 2133MHz CAS9

 

[photonboy]

Memory examples:

1) 1x4GB: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f31600c9s4grsl

This is 1600MHz CAS9 memory. If you already have a SINGLE stick of 4GB, 1600, CAS9, and an unused slot this is what you'd want if you can't find an IDENTICAL stick already.

2) 2x4GB: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls2k4g3n18aes4

This was about the fastest I could find if you need two sticks. Probably you won't.

*Please note that the "CAS" value also affects performance. In general, lower is better thus "1866MHz CAS11" is not as good as "1866MHz CAS10".

It's likely that "1866MHz CAS10" is better than "1600MHz CAS9" for your usage.

Summary:
Sorry it's complicated, but in general if you have 4GB single stick and an unused slot we just want an identical stick to add or one with the same basic specs as mentioned.

I've seen it make a difference on several laptops.

 

[Warukyure]

Food for thought, look at what kinda games you wanna play first. Now look at your budget. If you want to play things like assgreedunity/GTA5/Far Cry 4/Dragon Age Inquistion/Mordor, then consider getting a PS4 (or an X1, no hatin') instead. Otherwise, if you're trying to play SC2/Hearthstone/WoW/LoL/DotA/CS:GO and whatever else is out there on PC, then you're at least looking at getting a new laptop, something around the $650-$750 range, or a newer desktop. (Depending if you actually need the mobility of a laptop.)

 

[photonboy]

Drivers and backup IMAGE:
1) I forget to mention that updating your DRIVERS for your APU can make a difference as well sometimes.

Usually you need to use only the ones from the LAPTOP site directly. I suggest trying the ones from AMD itself but create a backup IMAGE first in case anything goes wrong (shouldn't but I've heard weird driver issue stories).

Usually if the drivers from AMD's main site aren't compatible they'll just tell you and not allow installation.

*Benchmark with 3DMark2001 before and after drivers. It's an easy way to know the state of your system for gaming. If the score goes up great, if it goes down that's not good.

2) Backup IMAGE:
It's a very, very (very) good idea to create a backup IMAGE at some point. This allows you to restore your OS easily not only due to a software issue (virus etc) but also if the drive fails.

If your laptop goes past warranty you'd also have to buy a new copy of WINDOWS for about $100 if you didn't make a backup Image. There are free versions of Acronis True Image at the WD site (if WD internal or USB attached). For Seagate it's called "DiscWizard".

Backup example:
1. Install Acronis True Image Free (i.e. a WD USB hard drive)
2. attach WD USB HDD
3. Create a compressed backup IMAGE
4. Burn an Acronis RESTORE DISC

Restore (let's say the drive died):
1. replace HDD/SSD
2. attach WD USB HDD
3. Boot with Acronis Restore DVD
4. Restore the backup Image

Summary:
a) Learn how to Backup and Restore (replace backup Image occasionally)
b) try updating DRIVERS (backup before if in doubt of issues)
c) use 3DMark2001 to establish your baseline gaming (easy way to know if something's affecting performance)

 

[Bryan Rodriguez]

Drivers and backup IMAGE:
1) I forget to mention that updating your DRIVERS for your APU can make a difference as well sometimes.

Usually you need to use only the ones from the LAPTOP site directly. I suggest trying the ones from AMD itself but create a backup IMAGE first in case anything goes wrong (shouldn't but I've heard weird driver issue stories).

Usually if the drivers from AMD's main site aren't compatible they'll just tell you and not allow installation.

*Benchmark with 3DMark2001 before and after drivers. It's an easy way to know the state of your system for gaming. If the score goes up great, if it goes down that's not good.

2) Backup IMAGE:
It's a very, very (very) good idea to create a backup IMAGE at some point. This allows you to restore your OS easily not only due to a software issue (virus etc) but also if the drive fails.

If your laptop goes past warranty you'd also have to buy a new copy of WINDOWS for about $100 if you didn't make a backup Image. There are free versions of Acronis True Image at the WD site (if WD internal or USB attached). For Seagate it's called "DiscWizard".

Backup example:
1. Install Acronis True Image Free (i.e. a WD USB hard drive)
2. attach WD USB HDD
3. Create a compressed backup IMAGE
4. Burn an Acronis RESTORE DISC

Restore (let's say the drive died):
1. replace HDD/SSD
2. attach WD USB HDD
3. Boot with Acronis Restore DVD
4. Restore the backup Image

Summary:
a) Learn how to Backup and Restore (replace backup Image occasionally)
b) try updating DRIVERS (backup before if in doubt of issues)
c) use 3DMark2001 to establish your baseline gaming (easy way to know if something's affecting performance)

Thanks man!

 

[Bryan Rodriguez]

Food for thought, look at what kinda games you wanna play first. Now look at your budget. If you want to play things like assgreedunity/GTA5/Far Cry 4/Dragon Age Inquistion/Mordor, then consider getting a PS4 (or an X1, no hatin') instead. Otherwise, if you're trying to play SC2/Hearthstone/WoW/LoL/DotA/CS:GO and whatever else is out there on PC, then you're at least looking at getting a new laptop, something around the $650-$750 range, or a newer desktop. (Depending if you actually need the mobility of a laptop.)

Thank you sir!