Gaming PCs are known for their high specifications that make games run great. However, no matter what upkeep you do to ensure they run smoothly all the time, performance can still slow down. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make your gaming PC run faster.
PC Components That Impact Gaming
There’s no way around it: gaming demands a lot from your PC. You need all your hardware running like a well-oiled machine to get top notch graphics, smoother frame rates, and faster load times. If you are looking into how to optimize your PC for gaming, a good place to start is understanding each component and how it influences your PC’s performance.
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit aka Graphics Card): This powers your game’s visuals. Stronger GPUs can handle higher resolutions, better textures, and faster frame rates, all of which make your game look and feel better.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): Your CPU handles everything happening behind the scenes in games, from AI processes to background systems. This means that a faster processor will help reduce lag and keep your games running fluidly.
- RAM( Random Access Memory): RAM gives your PC the room to process more active tasks. More RAM means faster multitasking, fewer slowdowns, and more stable performance during longer sessions.
- Storage (SSD / HDD): While it doesn’t directly affect frame rate, storage impacts how quickly your game loads. SSDs in particular, are necessary for modern games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, CyberPunk 2077, and Monster Hunter Wilds. In addition to cutting down load times, they can reduce stutter caused by data streaming.
- Monitor: Your monitor’s refresh rate and resolution influence how good your games look and how responsive they feel. Pairing a good GPU with a high refresh rate display is vital if you aim for ultra-smooth performance.
Have you ever wondered, “Why is my computer slow?” It might be that one of these components is falling behind. Identifying what’s holding you back is crucial for optimizing your gaming rig.
How to Make Your PC Run Faster For Gaming: 9 Quick Tips
Want to get better performance out of your PC without upgrading hardware? Here are nine quick tips to optimize your gaming PC.
1. Uninstall unused programs.
Uninstall any programs you are not using. Go to “settings” and then click “Apps”. Check which programs you aren’t using. Right click the program and click “uninstall”.
2. Delete temporary files.
Temporary files are collected every time you visit a web page. They can build up on your PC and slow them down dramatically. Make sure to delete any temporary files you do not need so they don’t gunk up your system.
3. Use disk cleanup.
Disk cleanup is a built in decluttering tool in Windows. Run the program to remove temporary internet files, unused installers, and unnecessarily large files in your system. Generally, more drive space makes for a better performing PC.
4. Run disk defragmenter (Hard Drives only).
You do not need to defragment SSDs, this tip is for hard drives only. You can optimize your drives by running a disk defragmenter on your PC. This will reconfigure how your hard drive stores information for more efficient performance. Disk defragmenter is a built in tool you can use in Windows.
5. Update your drivers.
Updating your drivers will improve your gaming PC’s overall performance. Drivers are software optimizations for your PC hardware. Follow our guide to update your GPU drivers. Visit your hardware manufacturers website for other drivers.
6. Check and tweak BIOS settings.
Your PC’s BIOS controls how hardware interacts with the system. Accessing BIOS settings can help you disable features you don’t need, turn on memory performance modes, or activate XMP or EXPO profiles for faster RAM speeds. A few small tweaks can result in significant performance improvements, especially if you’re using higher-end components.
7. Enable Windows Game Mode.
Game mode is designed to prioritize your rig’s resources for gaming by reducing background processing and giving more access to CPU and GPU power. This can be particularly helpful for reducing input lag.
8. Adjust in-game settings.
If your system feels like it’s working too hard, try lowering the graphics settings in the game itself. Adjustments like reducing shadow quality, turning off motion blur, lowering anti-aliasing, or scaling down the resolution can take pressure off your GPU and CPU. Most games also offer performance presets, so switching from “Ultra” to “High” or “Medium” can make a noticeable difference in frame rate.
9. Adjust your refresh rate.
Your monitor’s refresh rate controls how many frames per second it can display, which means it plays a big role in how smooth your game looks and runs. Most monitors default to lower settings to conserve energy and resources. If supported by your hardware, you can increase the refresh rate by entering your display settings and raising it to 60Hz, 120Hz, or even 144Hz. A higher refresh rate can improve motion clarity and give you a more reactive, satisfying gaming experience in fast-paced or competitive games.
In addition to these basic tips, we have some more optimizations that are more advanced.
4 Advanced Ways to Optimize Your Gaming PC
Searching for even further ways on how to optimize your PC for gaming? There are more advanced ways to squeeze even better performance out of your setup. These methods take a bit more time and know-how, but can give you a noticeable boost during high demand sessions. Here are four tips for advanced optimization.
1. Enable hardware acceleration.
Hardware acceleration shifts certain tasks from your CPU to other components, like your GPU, so everything runs more efficiently. Many apps, namely browsers, media players, and some games, offer this setting. Enabling it can help reduce lag and lower CPU usage during gameplay or multitasking. You’ll usually find this option in the settings menu of the individual program or app.
2. optimize your storage.
Faster storage helps eliminate stuttering, especially in large open world games. It can also improve overall system responsiveness and reduce loading times. If you are still using an HDD, switching to an SSD can make a major difference. For better performance, install your operating system and games on your fastest available drive and keep plenty of space open to avoid any slowdowns.
3. Optimize your network.
You already know that a fast and stable connection is essential for the best online gaming experience. But, there’s more that you can do than just pay for the fastest internet service. A wired connection is usually the most reliable option because it helps reduce latency and packet loss during gameplay. Alternatively, if you’re stuck on Wi-Fi, try positioning your PC closer to the router or using a mesh network for stronger coverage.
You can also adjust your router settings to prioritize gaming traffic with features like Quality of Service (QoS), which lets you tell your network to focus on your game before anything else, even if other people are streaming or downloading at the same time. Closing background apps that use the internet, like cloud backups, streaming software, or large downloads, can also make a noticeable difference.
4. Practice good thermal management
Gameplay takes power, and power means heat. The harder your PC works, the more heat it generates, and too much of it can result in a slower experience or even shorten the lifespan of your components (not to mention a higher utility bill). So, how do you practice good thermal management? For starters, pay attention to airflow.
Ensure your case has proper ventilation and that your fans are positioned to move air efficiently. Clean vents, fans, and filters regularly to prevent dust from building up. It also helps to monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures while gaming; if things are running hotter than they should, consider upgrading your cooling setup or reapplying thermal paste.
Is it Time to Upgrade?
Sometimes, no matter how much you optimize your hardware, it just can’t keep up with the latest games. If you’ve tried all these tips and your PC still struggles to deliver, an upgrade might be in order. The good news is that you don’t have to build a whole new rig from scratch if you don’t want to.
At CyberPowerPC, we make it easy to find a setup that fits your playstyle, performance needs, and budget. Browse prebuilt options or choose your components to customize your dream gaming rig. Explore our latest gaming PCs and level up your gaming experience today.