Buying a personal computer, many believe that you can relax on it and just work with the system for several years. But a PC is a device that requires care and needs attention. The computer must be periodically cleaned of unnecessary files, optimized its operation, and also cleaned in the system.
Of course, you can take your PC to the service center once a year, where specialists will do everything for you. But to perform this procedure is not so difficult, but it will cost a lot. Therefore, it is easier to figure out on your own the performance and characteristics of the computer.
Where to start?
So, to work with tuning your PC for maximum performance, you need to make several global processes, each of which has its own subprocesses.
First you need to understand the characteristics of the system. Knowing what the computer is based on and what opportunities the user offers, you can understand where the weak spots are and what is better to improve.
After the user determines the characteristics of the PC, you will need to use programs to monitor the system. There are a large number of them in access, so it will be easier to choose the most convenient for you and apply it directly in practice.
Computer monitoring will help clarify which components have problems, what needs to be improved, and what will have to be replaced. After that, you can configure your PC, increasing its performance. You can also do this in several ways. Some of them are suitable for any occasion, and some options are situational.
System specifications
To get started, it’s worth finding out exactly what characteristics of your PC. This is the only way to properly monitor and tune performance.
You can learn about the parameters of a computer from its specifications. If you built the system yourself, then you should have remained the names of the models of components, as well as boxes with instructions. Having found them, you will be able to collect data about the system.
If nothing like this remains, you will have to independently find the necessary information.
Data collection
Typically, experts determine the following PC settings: microprocessor options, the operation of the graphics adapter, the amount and type of memory, as well as other important details.
The characteristics of the microprocessor include the frequency and bit depth of the chip. When buying a processor on the motherboard, it is important to correctly determine the socket, as well as choose the option that is suitable for your needs. Users usually pay attention to the generation of the chip, the number of cores and their frequency.
Modern computers are equipped with powerful graphics cards. Graphics cards are also selected according to your needs. If you are building an office PC, then one of the simplest video cards is suitable, if the choice fell on a gaming system, then you have to fork out because it is several times more expensive.
The computer monitoring program will definitely show which video card is installed, what amount of video memory is provided in it, and what is the frequency. In addition to the graphics accelerator, it is important to get enough RAM. For modern systems, it is desirable to have from 8 GB of RAM. You should also pay attention to the type of DDR4 memory, at least until the moment when manufacturers start working with DDR5.
The characteristics are also attributed to the internal memory, that is, that which is located on the hard disk or solid-state drive. Also, the characteristics of the computer include information about the operating system and monitor settings.
Feature Search
Before you begin tuning your computer for maximum performance, you need to find all the available system characteristics. If you still have no boxes or instructions left, you will have to look for information on the above parameters yourself.
You can use software methods for this. Windows has a built-in utility that can be invoked by the command through the "Run" option. The latter can be called with the Win + R combination. In the window that appears, you must enter the command "msinfo32" without quotes.
A new window will collect all the information about the system. Here you can find the name and version of the operating system, the manufacturer and an additional description. Below is the processor model, the amount of installed RAM. In a separate category you can find information about the hard drive and the amount of internal memory.
This command provides almost all the information about the characteristics of the system, but there is not enough data about the graphics accelerator. In order to recognize it, you need to open "My Computer", right-click on a free area and go to the system properties. In the left column you need to find "Device Manager" and go to it.
In a new dialog box, all devices connected to the motherboard will be described. In the line "Video adapter" you can find the model of the video card. An integrated and discrete version can be indicated here.
Search for characteristics using programs
If you do not want to look for all the data about the PC that is scattered throughout the system, you can install a special program that will independently analyze the system and collect the results.
There are many such options for utilities, so it is important to choose the one that is more convenient and understandable specifically for you. Among the most popular are Speccy. You can download it on the official website. The program provides general data, as well as information about the OS, central processor, RAM, system board, graphics device, etc.
No less popular is the AIDA64 utility, which replaced the famous Everest. Both programs work with device analysis, report and may even find component errors.
System monitoring
Finding a computer monitoring program is important, because before tuning performance you need to understand the weaknesses of the system. You can not use several programs at the same time, but choose one. Indeed, most of these utilities also allow you to collect information about the characteristics of the PC.
In general, such software helps to know the configuration and characteristics, track the performance of each component, and also make some changes to their work.
Monitoring utilities are usually divided into highly specialized and general. The first allows you to do an accurate analysis of individual parts. Second - they collect general data not only about the computer, but also about other components: monitor, headset, printer, etc.
Checkudisk
This is a good program that monitors the performance of data containers. That is, thanks to her, you can find out everything about the manufacturer, serial number, model, volume, frequency and other parameters of the hard drive.
A hard drive or solid-state drive is an important and even indispensable device in the system, so you also need to take care of it, periodically check and analyze it. Sometimes hard drives are subject to overheating, due to which various kinds of failures occur, the computer starts to make noise and may even stop working.
GPU-Z
A very popular program that collects information about the video card. The utility conducts an in-depth analysis of the health of the component, and also supports the device of any model. The software does not have administrative functions, and its specialization is too narrow.
The utility helps to know the performance of the video card, downloads information about it, compares it with the passport data. The program shows the frequency of the core and memory, gives information about the speed of the cooler. It also helps to identify the potential of the device, thereby indicating whether it is worth raising the performance of the video card.
CPU-Z
This is a more universal program than the previous one. It analyzes the main parameters of the system. It can diagnose the processor, motherboard and memory modules. It also helps to calculate the power of the CPU, collect cache data and RAM.
Other monitoring programs
In order to properly configure the PC on Windows 10, you need to carefully analyze the system. In addition to the above programs, HWiNFO32 can also be regarded as popular. It does not provide much information about the system, but quickly diagnoses the main parameters, and also opens a separate window for monitoring.
WinAudit Freeware analyzes network equipment and also displays startup data. The utility has a simple interface that is easy to work with. It allows you to specify the scan area and select the analysis of security settings.
In addition to collecting computer data, you can diagnose individual components and prepare the device for performance tuning.
Performance improvement
After the user has collected the characteristics and monitored the system, you can start tuning your PC for maximum performance. It is immediately worth noting that this must be done carefully, otherwise you will have to restore the system or completely reinstall the OS.
The generally accepted measures to improve the health of a computer include the following processes:
- Disabling services.
- PC cleaning.
- Checking antivirus software.
- Setting up startup.
- Using performance options.
- Video card setup.
These are the most popular system optimization options that do not require special programs.
Disable Services
Many of the functions that the system provides are not needed at all by the average user. For example, most do not use OS updates, although they periodically load processes.
You need to go to the "Computer Management" menu. In the Services tab, you can select unnecessary information and turn it off. But here you need to be extremely careful: if you do not understand this at all, it is better not to experiment on your own. In principle, you can get rid of some services without serious consequences. What are these services:
- offline files;
- print manager if you do not have a printer;
- information about the application;
- remote registry
- search service;
- operating system time service, etc.
Memory cleaning
After disconnecting services, the next step is performed. Cleaning your PC can be done using system programs and third-party ones. For example, you can go to "My Computer", select any disk and click on it with PCM. Having selected the properties, we go to the parameters of one of the repositories. Here you can clean it, check for errors in the "Service" tab, and also run defragmentation.
In addition, you can use third-party programs. For example, Advanced SystemCare has a simple and intuitive interface in Russian, it helps to clean the computer of "garbage", speed up its work, and make fine tuning of performance. It also removes crypts and applications that are undesirable for the system, works with invulnerability and defragment the registry.
Revo Uninstaller helps to correctly remove applications from the computer so that after them there is no "garbage". This especially helps when you do not need to remove the program from the PC.
The most popular is the CCleaner utility. It quickly eliminates unnecessary files, temporary documents. It also allows you to get rid of uninstallable programs.
Antivirus software
If viruses are launched on the computer, this will definitely affect its performance. Therefore, to optimize the system, you need to get rid of malware. To do this, just install the antivirus program.
If you do not want to buy it, you can download a trial version to scan the computer once and remove all the “worms”. In this case, many experts suggest using online checks that do not take up space on the computer.
The fact is that sometimes antiviruses are as harmful as viruses. Programs are considered very resource-intensive, often slow down the computer and "pull the blanket over themselves."
Startup Setup
A lot of programs that a user installs on a PC start by default when the system is turned on. But not all applications are needed right after turning on the PC. To do this, it is better to remove some of their startup.
To do this, we call the "Run" function using the combination Win + R. In the line, enter the command "msconfig" without quotes. We find the “Startup” tab and disable those programs that you do not need during the initial work. For example, from here you can remove Utorrent, Skype, which you do not often use, and other similar programs.
Few people know, but programs to configure the PC for maximum performance are practically not needed in this matter. Everything can be done manually by yourself. For example, it is necessary to adjust the performance. To do this, in the "Control Panel" we find the line "System and Security", then go to the "System", and in the left column select the line "Additional system parameters."
In the "Advanced" tab, you need to find the line "Performance" and begin its configuration. In the parameters it is better not to select individual effects, but immediately click on the item “Ensure the best performance”.
The system interface will become similar to the one that was familiar with Windows 98, but this can be fixed in personalization by choosing a simplified style.
Graphics card setup
For this option, you must select the control panel of the video card. It is enough to click RMB on the free space on the desktop. Here it is recommended to turn off anisotropic filtering, vertical synchronization, anti-aliasing, expansion restriction, triple buffering. You need to enable texture filtering by all parameters, and for quality, set the parameter “highest performance”.
Work with monitor
In the PC settings, it is important to understand how to increase the brightness of the screen. Typically, monitors have a special button that allows you to do this. But sometimes the features that the display itself provides are not enough. To do this, you must use either a third-party application or system settings.
For example, the nVidia control panel will be useful. You need to select the “Display” section and adjust the settings. How to increase screen brightness yet? You can use third-party programs for this. For example, MyMonic, etc.
Rollback system
PC factory settings after performance improvement will be changed. To return to them, you have to roll back the system. What is it for?
Suppose something went wrong during setup and you need to go back to the previous configuration. Rollback is also useful before selling a PC, after losing performance, in case of a system crash or incorrect driver installation.
Resetting your PC can be done using the integrated features. You need to start a system reboot, during which press F9 or Alt + F10. It all depends on the model of the motherboard. Thus, it is easy to call the appropriate menu, which helps to restore the system.
You can also do this through the control panel. To do this, go to this menu and find the line "System Restore". Usually, the computer automatically saves the rollback point, you can also do this yourself. It is to this state that the system will return. Therefore, if everything is in order with your computer at the moment, save the rollback point so that in case of force majeure there is something to restore.