How To Enhance PC Gaming Performance

1. Power up

PC games will have two sets of system requirements, the minimum and recommended. Those minimum requirements will enable you to install and boot up a game, but when started, graphics and performance will be disappointing. To get going, you will want your system to meet with recommended system requirements. That is likely to mean a starting point of a quad-core processor, 4GB of memory and a decent graphics card with 1GB of its own memory for modern high powered games.

2. Graphics card upgrade

If your system does not meet the requirements, look first at your graphics card. Though you can spend a fortune on this particular upgrade but it is unnecessary if you are a casual gamer. Something like the NVidia GeForce GT 640 (USD165) is affordable and will deal with almost anything you throw at it.

If you are not considering a new graphics card you can always check its manufacturer’s website of your current card for updates which provide addition performance from their hardware.

4. Maximise gaming power

Certain programs still run while you are playing your game. Game booster 3 is a neat and free application that will shut down any non-essential programs and processes while you are gaming. Game booster 3 ensures your games are not forced to share resources with other programs

5. Anti-virus scans

Viruses and spyware can lower computer performance therefore it is good to ensure your anti-virus software is running and up to date.

6. Check the game’s settings

If your game’s graphics are skipping around and a low frame-rate is affecting your gameplay, go to the Settings screen.  Turn down settings such as Texture and Shadows. Reducing these will not materially affect your gameplay, but it dramatically lessens the workload the system has to take on.

7. Defrag

Confirm your drive is defragged regularly. A fragmented drive with files scattered in pieces all over it will disrupt your gameplay. The Windows 7 Defragmenter is adequate, but Au logics Disk Defrag Free or O&O Defrag Free Edition are also for consideration.

8. Switch to a SSD drive

Another great way to speed up your PC’s gaming capabilities is to upgrade to a SSD drive. Compared to your existing hard drive, these are lightning fast, and will make your games fly. A 120GB SSD drive will cost less than USD130.

9. Upgrade your mouse and keyboard

 Upgrading your mouse and keyboard can yield some serious gameplay improvements, by offering customisable settings and quicker speeds.

10. Get a wired connection

If you are into online gaming, a wired internet connection is advised. Power line adapters like Advent’s APWL-2012 200Mbps kit offer a neat and tidy solution. You can then use your home’s mains electricity cables to pipe your broadband signal between rooms. Software such as the free TCP Optimizer will help you get the best out of your internet connection.

11. Adjust for best performance

• Click Start.
• Right click Computer.  
• Click properties.
• Click advanced system settings.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

• On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Performance.
• On the Visual Effects tab, click Adjust for best performance, and then click OK.
• Click OK to close the System Properties dialog box.

This can be undone when finished with gaming.