Tips and Tweaks that Help improve Gaming Performance

[Insane]

Tips and Tweaks that Help improve Gaming Performance

Before I start i'll let you know I got these from a big list of websites ( and some I added myself ) so I will list my sources at the bottom. Thanks and give me feedback!

(Also: Outside Links only direct to Google or LMGTFY, Bestbuy, or Cnet -- Hope that's ok, thanks!)

1) Keep your hardware updated

This includes the RAM, CPU and graphics card. For gaming in Vista, make sure that you own a dual core CPU, 2 GB RAM and a DirectX 10 compliant graphics card.



2) Disable System Restore

Vista's/7's System Restore helps you to backup your files and provide a restoration in the event that the OS crash. Although a useful feature, it can slow down your system to a great extent.
1. Click on Start
2. Control Panel
3. System and Maintenance
4. System and remove the tick next to any drives that you have protected.


3) Turn off hibernation

If you don’t use the hibernation feature, you can disable it and recover around a gigabyte of hard disk space.
1. Start type "Run" and enter
2. Type "powercfg – H off"
3. Enter & you're done


4) Disable the Sidebar (vista)

While this is a great eye-candy, it takes up a lot of resources.
1. Control Panel
2. Windows Sidebar Properties
3. Uncheck the "Start Sidebar When Windows Start"


5) Always defrag your computer when you have a chance

1. Click Start
2. Search "Disk Defragmenter"
3. Open it
4. Click Analyse disk then De fragment
Warning: It will take a while and slow down your PC while it's at it so I advise doing it when your not currently using your pc, about to go to sleep, or about to leave.

6) Get Game Booster

Game Booster works by defragmenting game directories, temporarily shutting down background processes, cleaning RAM, and intensifying processor performance. That means you can keep all the features of operating systems ready for when you need them, but turn them off when you are ready to get down to serious business – gaming.

7) Check your drive for errors

1. Exit all open programs.
2.Click Start, and then click Computer.
3. Right-click the hard disk drive that may be damaged.
4. Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab.
5. In the Error-checking area, click Check Now.
6. Click to select the Automatically fix file system errors check box.
7. Click to select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors check box.
8. Click Start.

8) Update the video adapter driver and the sound card driver

1. Determine the name and the manufacturer of your video adapter
2. Click Start, type dxdiag, in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
3. Click the Display tab.
4. Under Device, look for Name and Manufacturer.
5. Click Exit.

1.Determine the name and the provider of the sound card
2. Click Start, type dxdiag in the Start Search box, and then click dxdiag.exe in the Programs list.
3. Click the Sound tab.
4. Under Device, look for Name and Drivers, and then look for Provider.
5. Click Exit.


9) Increase Virtual Memory

1.Click to open System.
2. In the left pane, click Advanced system settings. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4. Click the Advanced tab, and then, under Virtual memory, click Change.
5. Clear the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives check box.
6. Under Drive [Volume Label], click the drive that contains the paging file you want to change.
7. Click Custom size, type a new size in size in the Initial size (MB) or Maximum size (MB) box, click Set, and then click OK.


10) Get GameGain 2

GameGain will optimize your computer performance and make your games run faster without having to upgrade your expensive gaming hardware. Often you find after installing the latest game that you aren't able to run the game at its highest setting, while this often is due to insufficient hardware, it can also occur because Windows is not properly optimized for playing video games.


11) Setting Process Level to Realtime or High

1. Start your video game.
2. Ctrl +alt + delete and task manager will appear.
3.Click the processes tab.
4. If its a game look for the main application (for example hl2.exe) and right click it.
5. Click 'set priority'.
6. Click 'high', or 'realtime'.

12) Run Virus Scan whenever you can

This might be a good idea to do while your disk is defragmenting, the more you get rid of Spyware, Walware, viruses, bHJ, etc the better your computer will be off.

13) Shutdown the right way

This might sound stupid but if you shut down Start > Shutdown it lets your computer take it's time to close everything and prepare for the next boot up. Never hold the power button on your computer down until it shuts off unless the comp is completely locked up or frozen.

14) Stop services that are useless

1. Click Start
2. Type Services
3. Choose the one Just called 'Services'
4. Scroll through and stop services that are not important to your computers success to help improve performance

WARNING: If you don't know what you are doing here you could really screwup your computer


15) Network Performance

This is something that I just must put on here because with poor internet connection, you get lag, and you fail. If it's possible to go wired, do so. Wired can improve internet connect alot but remember to get a good Router to go through. Don't get a cheapo 30 dollar walmart Router.
For a really good wireless and wired router (the one I have) check this it out by clicking here.


16) Disable startup programs

I think we all know how to do this but it is good for the noobs. Disabling all startup programs that aren't necessary is crucial for a good, fast, start up and improved performance.

1. Start
2. Search "msconfig"
3. Enter
4. Startup tab
5. Uncheck the ones you want
6. Apply, Ok. Your done.


17) Clean your registry

This is a very very good way to improve performance. Think of 1000 different things that all needed to get arranged in perfect order. And someone bitch slapped them everywhere. Same for the computer, it will make your OS much faster and make sure everything is in line.
Go here for some free ones you can download.

Sources

Make Tech Easier - Uncomplicating the complicated, making life easier
Improve your computer's gaming performance
PGWARE - Increase the Speed of Your Computer With Our Software
IObit - Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download
SnapHow.Com - Best Web, Computing Tips & Tricks
wikiHow - The How-to Manual That You Can Edit
IObit - Speed Up Slow Computer, Keep PC and Internet Secure, Freeware Download
https://www./me.com

EDIT:
Thanks guys, i thought this would help

[willieG]

Im gonna try gamegain never used it sounds like it may be verry helpfull to me.

[Archangel]

nice tut, thanks

[Josephlittle™]

Wow really nice tut
+THANKS!

[Stoshy]

STRANGER DANGER! well not stranger. i do not recommend using registry cleaners. this may werk for some ppl but its highly NOT recommened. I have watched reviews and forums full of comments and recommendations to stay away from reg cleaners. u can still do this but make shure u backup everything u need unless somethin goes wrong. But overall i like this tut. i did some research related to this and i only had half of whut u shared

[Insane]

STRANGER DANGER! well not stranger. i do not recommend using registry cleaners. this may werk for some ppl but its highly NOT recommened. I have watched reviews and forums full of comments and recommendations to stay away from reg cleaners. u can still do this but make shure u backup everything u need unless somethin goes wrong. But overall i like this tut. i did some research related to this and i only had half of whut u shared

You can't be serious? They are the best thing for you computer? Only use trusted software though, like ones approved by cnet.

[Disco //]

You can't be serious? They are the best thing for you computer? Only use trusted software though, like ones approved by cnet.

i cant stop starring at you avatar......oops got distracted there nice tut very very usefull but Game Booster kinda fails for me =/ i dont need it anyway i can run about any game on High.

[Pagn]

It helped me a little bit. But, thanks!

[Insane]

It helped me a little bit. But, thanks!

Some of those are kinda n0oby too but some can help helpful to the average person...

[PP_CrazyApple]

yea, and at the end you notice that nothing changed. I followed millions of tut's like this. You get 20% chance to make it work. Anyways, nice tut...

[Stoshy]

@jbubblepop

U shud add, 'Remove Unnecessary Backgroup Processes' on the task manager menu, u can go to the processes tab and end processes that arent used when idle or playing a game. For example. I habe this program that make the Matrix codes rain down on my screen. u can end unnecessary programs like that and u will find a huge difference. It doesnt jus go for services too Im glad if this helped any1 Also if u have gamebooster, u wont needa go into yer services and end processes that u will need again.

[Insane]

@jbubblepop

U shud add, 'Remove Unnecessary Backgroup Processes' on the task manager menu, u can go to the processes tab and end processes that arent used when idle or playing a game. For example. I habe this program that make the Matrix codes rain down on my screen. u can end unnecessary programs like that and u will find a huge difference. It doesnt jus go for services too Im glad if this helped any1 Also if u have gamebooster, u wont needa go into yer services and end processes that u will need again.

Thats pretty much what game booster does and thats pretty self explanatory I do that all the time anyway...

[TheUser]

great guide

[B4M]

It looks great, and by great I mean HUGE!!

However good tutorial.

[Insane]

great guide

It looks great, and by great I mean HUGE!!

However good tutorial.

Thanks guys glad to hear you like it