Windows 10 is an excellent OS for gamers to utilize, thanks to millions of gaming titles compatible with it. It even comes with the Xbox One apps such as Xbox Game Bar and Xbox Console Companion, a plus for console gamers who own an Xbox gaming console. But as a gamer, the best thing about Windows 10 is it allows you to do tweaks to its built-in settings and third-party software to further optimize the system for gaming. With that being said, here are a few tips on how to optimize your Windows 10 gaming PC for better performance.
7 Tips to Optimize Windows Gaming PC for Better Performance
- Double-check the specifications of your CPU and graphics card.
- Update your graphics driver with Device Manager.
- Connect to the Internet using the Ethernet cable.
- Close unneeded programs running in the background.
- Enable Game Mode on Windows.
- Monitor your GPU’s temperature.
- Modify the video game’s setting.
1 – Double-check the specifications of your CPU and graphics card.
The two most important components of your gaming PC are the CPU and graphics card. CPU is your unit’s central processing unit, which is considered the brain of your Windows gaming PC. There are two major manufacturers of CPUs: Intel and AMD. There has been an ongoing debate online about which CPU is superior. But if you want to save money in upgrading your CPU, most people would agree that you go with AMD. It is way more affordable and is on-match with Intel’s CPUs in the power department.
And as a gamer, you definitely want to install a good GPU. This is so your unit will have no problems handling a high frame rate for a smooth video gaming experience. It should have a baseline of 8GB or up.
For graphics cards, the top manufacturers are AMD and NVIDIA. You can mix and match between having an AMD CPU and NVIDIA graphics card. While if you’re using an Intel CPU, we definitely recommend that you use an Intel GPU. Remember to double-check if your GPU is compatible with your CPU before buying an upgrade.
2 – Update your graphics driver with Device Manager.
Keep all of your graphics drivers updated. This will not only optimize your main components but will also fix and prevent bugs. But most importantly, it keeps your CPU running well, efficient, and adequately cooled. This makes your Windows PC more optimized for gaming.
You can use Windows Device Manager to keep your graphics drivers up to date. To update your drivers, follow these steps:
- Go to Windows Device Manager.
- Select Display adapters.
- Find your graphics card, right-click and select Update Driver.
- Then follow the on-screen prompts.
- Test your gaming PC if the update works perfectly with all of your drivers.
3 – Connect to the Internet using the Ethernet cable.
When you play online video games, a “ping” is used in measuring internet speed tests. It is a measurement that determines how fast a data signal travels from one place to another.
In online games, ping helps you understand how fast your gaming PC communicates with the gaming server. The lower your ping is, the better it is for online gaming. The most optimal ping for gaming is less than 20ms. This ping will give you smooth and responsive gameplay. You should not experience any lags or glitches during your gameplay.
The best way to improve your ping is by connecting your Ethernet cable to your gaming PC. It might seem like an old-fashioned solution, but using Wi-Fi is less optimal for gaming.
4 – Close unneeded programs running in the background.
When booting up your Windows gaming PC, it usually runs background apps like your antivirus, messaging, camera, Cortana, and more. These background apps take a portion of your RAM, slowing down your unit and sub-optimizing your gameplay.
To close any background apps, hit Ctrl + Alt + Del, and select Task Manager. Right-click on any programs you are not using or don’t need running in the background, then select End task.
And to stop any background apps from starting once you boot up your unit, type Background Apps on the Search Box next to your Startup menu. Open the Background Apps on System Settings, then disable any programs you don’t usually use or need daily.
5 – Enable Game Mode on Windows.
Windows 10 and 11 users should look up to its Game Mode. The Game Mode was introduced back in April 2017 in its Creators Update, which is designed to boost the performance of your PC for gaming. It helps users achieve a more stable frame rate depending on the game, your unit’s hardware, and the apps running in the background.
To enable Game Mode on Windows, follow these steps:
- Open Settings by clicking the Gear Icon on the Startup Menu. It is located above the Power icon.
- Choose Gaming in the Windows Settings, then click Game Mode.
- Enable the Game Mode Switch on. Upon doing so, your PC will run in Game Mode, optimizing its gaming performance.
6 – Monitor your GPU’s temperature.
As stated earlier, your GPU is responsible for generating the graphics of your video games on your monitor. Running your video games at high settings can put a strain on your graphics card and cause it to overheat. And if your video graphics overheat, it will not only affect the performance of your game, but it might also cause your PC to shut down automatically.
This is why it is important to monitor your GPU’s temperature when playing for long hours. The general rule is to make sure that the temperature is consistently below 85 °C.
Here are a few tips on how to keep your GPU’s temperature lower:
- Increase the airflow of your computer. One way of doing so is by using chassis or cases that have vents.
- Make sure to clean your computer. Dust can affect the airflow of your unit. You can use a can of compressed air to clear out any dust.
- Upgrade your CPU fans. You can either replace your current funds with a powerful fan or install additional fans to improve the airflow.
- Consider using liquid cooling systems if it is compatible with your CPU setup.
7 – Modify the video game’s setting.
Your gaming PC sometimes runs your video games automatically at its best graphics settings. But this can affect the latency and frame rate of your gaming PC. So it is usually recommended that you manually change your in-game settings to a more optimized resolution for your unit.
Remember that these settings will vary depending on the video game. So you will generally want to set the resolution to a lower number or a setting option more optimized for your hardware. Graphics setting options include low, normal, high, and ultra.