How to Boost PC Performance For Gaming

PC gaming has become more complex than the console gaming. Still many users prefer a PC rather
than a console for gaming. This is because PC provides a chance for the user to optimize rather than just plug and play. 

But in order for a user to optimize their PC, he/she should have a sound knowledge on the internal hardwares. If you are not familiar with the hardware components, optimizing the PC can be a difficult task. Day by day the demand for more graphics from the PC games increases. Therefore advanced games today require powerful gaming rig, its almost impossible to run today's games with onboard Intel graphics. Players can enjoy the game fully only if their system supports them. 

However PC game developers publish their minimum and recommended specs on every game in order to identify the system is capable of running them. If your system doesn't meet up with the recommended specs your computer could lag and worsen the gaming experience. Perhaps to acquire a overall good gaming experience you should optimize the PC to improve its Frames Per Second (FPS).

In this article, I will be concentrating on the How to Boost PC Performance For Gaming. At the end of this tutorial you will know how to boost / improve / maximize the overall performance of your desktop for gaming. 

Let's move to the topic,

1. Upgrade the Graphics Card

Comparing to all the other methods upgrading the graphics card has proved to be the most effective in increasing the gaming performance. Not only the GPU, upgrade of RAM and Hard drive too. But this is an expensive option comparing to others. 

In order for a game to function properly it needs a decent graphics card. Old outdated graphics cards doesn't perform well with new games. Therefore invest in a new graphics card if you think your system needs an upgrade.

2. Update the Graphics Card Drivers

True performance of the graphics card cannot be experienced without having the proper drivers. Without the drivers the graphics card will not be able to deliver the expected performance. 

Whenever a new game is published relevant drivers from the GPU manufacturers are also released to cope up with the games. Updating the drivers can push a big difference in performance. Both Nvidia and AMD has their own GPU management software for managing the drivers. The users can set the GPU management software to automatically update whenever a new driver is released. 

If your computer uses Intel HD graphics then the drivers are updated automatically. Nvidia and AMD users have to download their drivers manually using the respective manufacturers site. Before downloading ensure that the current model of the graphics card is selected. 

3. Overclock the GPU 

If you cannot spend money updating the graphics card, try overclocking the GPU. When you overclock the GPU the clock speed is increased, which raises the FPS during gaming. Ultimately the performance of the graphics card is boosted during overclocking. 

Many third party softwares are available for overclocking which are convenient to use. Just make sure that your computer has a good cooling system, as overclocking releases excessive heat from the GPU. And also overclocking makes the GPU function more than the factory settings. Therefore make sure to overclock the GPU merely to 10-15%. Most graphics cards are capable of handing 10-15% of overclocking. More than that can pose a threat to the system. 

However keep in mind that there is always a risk of damaging the graphics card when overclocking. Therefore be careful in every step you do.

4. Latest DirectX Version

DirectX is the number of Application Programming Interface (API) that will handle the graphics. During recent years many different versions are DirectX are released in Windows operating systems. 

Out of those DirectX 12 was the latest version released in 2015. If your graphics card supports the use of DirectX, make sure that your operating system is equipped with the latest version in order to have the maximum performance. To check the DirectX version type '' DXDIAG '' in the search bar.

5. Adjust Power Settings

Unlike other basic works, gaming requires tremendous amount of power. While it is always preferable to connect your computer to the power outlet all the time, laptop users does not get this freedom. 

To overcome this Windows has provide the users varieties of Power Management options. On default these setting are configured '' Balanced '' to save the battery life. For an ideal gaming performance change in to '' High Performance ''.

To Adjust Power settings,

6. Stop Background Applications

Many of the applications that runs on the background consume system resources which reduces the FPS during gaming. These programs may automatically run when you startup the computer or manually you open them. Whatever the way, before you launch the games, close all the applications running on the background. You can check applications that are currently running using the task manager.

7. Optimize Ingame Settings

Another major way of gaining FPS is through tweaking the ingame settings. Every game comes with the graphic settings that can be adjusted for the best performance. 

Next time when you launch the games locate the graphic settings option. Find options such as the Reflection, Shadows, Textures and Motion blur. If the settings are set to high, try to make them low. Do this individually for every option. And also make sure that the resolution selected is less than your monitor's native resolution.

8. Increase Network Speed

Unlike offline games, online games depend on your network speed for its performance. When the network is slow the game has the tendency to lag. Make sure that you have a high speed network connection for a smooth gaming experience. And also during multiplayer gaming play with less number of players.

9. Use Nvidia SLI / AMD Crossfire

Both Nvidia and AMD technologies supports the use of multi graphics cards on their system. The setup for Nvidia is known as Nvidia SLI and AMD as AMD Crossfire. Around 2-4 graphics cards can be used in a single system to deliver a powerful gaming performance. If you are an hardcore gamer willing to spend unlimited budget on gaming then the SLI or the Crossfire is the best option.