What is TGP in Gaming Laptops? How it affects your GPU Performance

A gaming laptop would hold zero value without a good graphics card - no cap there! But what makes a GPU stand out from the rest? Now, that’s a trick question. 

A graphic processing unit is designed using advanced technologies and high-end materials like gold and silicone. So if the CPU is the brain of the gaming laptop, consider the graphic processing unit the neck of it. However, given that all components are top-notch, there’s still the issue of power capacity in each adapter, which acts as the last straw. And that’s why you should always make your decision based on the TGP of the graphics card. 

Naturally, the most obvious question pops into your mind - What on Earth is TGP and why are we getting into these technicalities? Well, because it's all interrelated, we promise. This crucial subject related to the graphics is somewhat foreign to many intermediate-level gamers (nothing to be proud of). 

Hence, we have put forward this guide for you to understand and identify the TGP in a gaming laptop. So, what’s the wait for? Let’s get started. 

What is TGP in Gaming Laptops?

Total Graphics Power, abbreviated as TGP, is the highest amount of power a GPU (including the Printed Circuit Board) can withdraw from the main source. Denoted in watts, it determines how much energy the device can afford to consume without any support from the auxiliary and heat-countering systems like cooling and lightning. 

This figure shows you how much you can rely on the graphics for your gaming performance. It’s also important to not confuse Total Graphic Power with TBP. Even though TBP is the former official terminology for GP, the former denotes energy output from the adapter whilst taking support from the heat-dissipating components. 

How is TGP Different From TDP?

TDP, short for Thermal Design Parameter, is synonymous with GPU power. Just like TGP, it also measures the intensity of the temperature in watts and is related to the graphic processing unit, though the slight difference is in the input and output of the thermal energy. Like all resources, a graphic processing unit also consumes energy and runs certain areas of the gaming laptop. While processing it releases waste thermal output that affects the neighboring components, or in general, the overall device. In short, GP is a measure of the temperature-bearing ability of the graphic processing unit, while DP is its heat-emitting capacity. And unlike GP, a higher DP is considered a negative aspect of a gaming gadget. 

Relevance of TGP for GPU Performance

Overheating is a common phenomenon in laptops, especially those utilizing more resources, like in gaming gadgets. The cooling systems or fans installed at the back corners are meant to overcome this issue, preventing intermittent restarts, shutdowns, and even internal damage. However, these resources don’t eliminate the problem. 

The thermal throttling particularly affects the animation since the adapter automatically lowers its clock speed to protect its functionality. A graphics card with low clock speed produces low frame rates, has slow rendering time, and delivers distorted and poor graphics.  This leads to unnecessary lagging in the game and an overall disturbed gameplay. Even at low graphics settings, it is impossible to compensate for discoloration, unresponsiveness, and screen failure. 

A higher Total Graphics Power can counteract the side effects of thermal heat upon the GPU. The figure itself shows you the watts of the high temperature your adapter can bear while operating at a frequency. However, contrary to common perception, high Power is not always good as it drains the battery faster. The right amount of Total Graphics Power depends on the design and thermal magnitude of the laptop. As a rule of thumb, 80 watts Total GP is ideal for a laptop (with dynamic boost) featuring 4GB VRAM.

Power Ranges of Major GPUs

How to Check TGP of Your Laptop

If your laptop has a low TGP GPU and you’re lucky that the card is not integrated, you can swap it for some extra boost. To check the Total Graphics Power of your graphics card, you don’t have to dissect your device. There are multiple ways of finding out the TGP. Head below to check them out. 

Method 1 - Through Settings

• Go to the ‘Settings’ and select ‘Display’. 
• Under the ‘Related Settings’ header, go to ‘Advanced Display’.
• Find your adapter name in the ‘Display Information’ section. 
• Google your adapter specs to find out the TGP. 

Method 2 - Through Task Manager

• Go to the search bar and enter ‘Task Manager’.
• You could also press the shortcut keys ‘Ctrl+Alt+Del’.
• On the menu bar, go to the ‘Performance’ tab.
• Find the adapter specs on the left side of the bar.

Method 3 - Through System Information

• Search for ‘System Information’ in the search bar.
• Then go to ‘Components’ which is second in line.
• Select ‘Display’ to find the details on the top left side.
• Google your GPU name to find out the TGP. 

Method 4 - Through Diagnostic Tool

• Go to the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by searching for ‘dxdiag’.
• You could also press the shortcut keys ‘Windows+R’.
• Find your card information mentioned under the ‘Display’ tab. 

Conclusion 

Now that you know everything regarding the TGP, we’re positive you will look for your next device after great research. Since gamers can’t afford buffering during the game, it is essential to have just the appropriate amount of Total Graphics Power in your adapter.

And just the right amount doesn’t mean the highest, because remember, you don’t want your battery to die only a year out of the box. So what’s the drill again? Compromise on the bulkiness and fan noise of the laptop and gain the upper hand in every round you play.