So you’ve bought a shiny new PC, orbuilt yourself onefrom scratch, and you’re ready to start gaming. Just because you’ve got a fresh copy of Windows installed and yourPC gamesdownloaded doesn’t mean you’re all set to go – there are still a few things you should do to optimize your PC for the best possible experience. In some cases, just a few tweaks to Windows can make all the difference.
We’ve written before about how to get more FPS out of yourgraphics card, but here we’re talking about further optimizing your gaming PC for even better performance.
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1Turn on Game Mode
Control system resources for better performance
Windows 11 incorporates a variety of features created with gaming in mind, including of course Game Mode. This disables unnecessary background processes while you’re playing, potentially boosting framerates. It also prevents Windows Update from updating drivers automatically or asking you to restart your machine.
Check that Game Mode is on using these steps:
2Disable Windows notifications
Stop interruptions
Speaking of background processes, Windows lets you disable notifications during specific times, or when certain things are happening – like game sessions. Here’s how to block mid-game notifications automatically:
You can have other do-not-disturb options on simultaneously. At a minimum, in fact, we’d also checkWhen using an app in full-screen mode, since it’s conceivable that some games might not be properly detected, and no one wants notifications interrupting other full-screen apps anyway.
3Toggle hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling
Optimize performance and reduce latency
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling is a bit complicated to explain in detail. The short version is that if you have a dedicated video card, this will let the card both schedule and render frames instead of making your CPU handle the first part. It can boost the performance of some games, though be warned – the option may have little effect on other titles, and in rare cases it can actually slow things down. We recommend turning it on, but either way, here’s how to toggle it:
4Adjust the Windows UI for best performance
Prioritize speed over flash
This is purely optional, but if you want to squeeze maximum performance out of Windows, you can force the interface to prioritize speed by cutting out unnecessary animations and other visual effects. Keep in mind that this won’t have any impact on full-screen games.
5Turn off enhanced pointer precision
No more missing shots
If you’ve bought agaming mouse, a Windows option meant to improve precision could actually be hindering it. You’ll want to disable the feature as soon as possible.
While we’re at it, we’d also recommend experimenting with sensitivity in your mouse’s first-party software. While it should be set to at least 800dpi, there’s not much point going over 2,000dpi – even that can be so ridiculously sensitive that your cursor will be flying across the screen.
6Update your drivers
And make sure Windows is updated regularly
AMD and Nvidia frequently update their graphics drivers to fix bugs and improve game support. Use AMD’s Adrenalin client or Nvidia’s GeForce Experience to download and install the latest drivers compatible with your hardware.
Don’t forget to run Windows Update on a regular basis, while you’re at it, check for aBIOS updatefrom your PC or motherboard manufacturer if you haven’t looked in several months. BIOS problems can potentially have a huge impact on performance and overall stability. Backup any critical data before installing new firmware.
7Turn on AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync
Keep your monitor and GPU in unison
BothFreeSyncandG-Syncmatch your monitor’s refresh rate to the frames per second your GPU is operating at. This prevents screen tearing, and ensures a smooth experience while you’re playing. The only catch these days is that a monitor has to be compatible with the appropriate standard for your video card, so you’ll have to check your monitor’s specs or browseAMDandNvidia’s compatibility lists.
8Set your monitor’s refresh rate
Get the smoothest output
Windows won’t always default to using the maximum refresh rate for your connected display. It’s worth checking settings in both Windows and your monitor’s onboard menus, since output might otherwise be a meager 60Hz. In Windows:
If you don’t see the rate you’re expecting, you may be using the wrong port or cable. Some displays can only achieve their highest refresh rates using DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1, most likely the former.
9Adjust Windows start-up settings
Some apps like hogging the background
Many apps you install may automatically load themselves on start-up. This can be convenient, but only if you need them that often – otherwise they’re just background processes wasting your PC’s memory and processor power.
It’s fairly easy to remove apps from the Windows start-up list without uninstalling them:
Be careful here, since some apps might be vital to how your PC works. Disabling mouse software could limit your mouse’s button functionality, for example.
10Use Ethernet rather than Wi-Fi
Minimize lag in online games
Wi-Fi is continually getting faster and more reliable – we’re already up toWi-Fi 7if you can afford it. But there’s still something to be said for using a high-qualityEthernet cabledirect from your router to your gaming PC. There’s nothing faster, and virtually no chance of signal interference. We’d recommend using a Cat-6 cable, which tops out at 1Gbps, but if you’ve got a surplus of cash, you can futureproof by buying a 40Gbps Cat-8 connection.
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Q: Can my computer run games?
Any recent Windows PC can run 2D games with ease, but 3D is another matter. The integrated graphics on AMD and Intel CPUs just aren’t powerful enough to run modern 3D games with high detail or framerates. You’ll want a PC with a dedicated GPU from AMD or Nvidia.
Find the website or store page for a game you want to play and look at the game’s requirements. You’ll need meet theminimumrequirements to get the game running, but realistically, you’ll want to match or exceed therecommendedrequirements for a good time.
