If your games are stuttering or your frames per second are low, you need to know how to make pc run faster for gaming. It’s a common problem, but the good news is there are many practical steps you can take, from quick software tweaks to more involved hardware upgrades. This guide will walk you through the most effective methods to get your system performing at its best.
You don’t always need to buy a brand-new computer. Often, the issue is software bloat, outdated drivers, or a single component holding everything back. We’ll cover everything from free fixes you can do in an hour to strategic upgrades that give you the most bang for your buck. Let’s get started.
How To Make PC Run Faster For Gaming
This section is your core action plan. Following these steps methodically will clear out digital clutter, optimize your settings, and ensure your hardware is running as intended. Start from the top and work your way down for the best results.
1. Software Cleanup and Optimization
Before spending any money, let’s clean up your system. Over time, computers accumulate files and programs that slow them down.
Uninstall Unused Programs
Go to your Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Look for software you never use, especially “bloatware” that came with your PC (trial antivirus, toolbars, etc.). Removing these frees up storage and stops background processes.
Disable Startup Programs
Many programs set themselves to launch when Windows starts, slowing down your boot time and using memory. To fix this:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click the “Startup” tab.
- Right-click on any non-essential program (like cloud storage clients or chat apps) and select “Disable.”
Only keep critical items like your audio driver or graphics utilities enabled.
Run Disk Cleanup and Defragmentation (for HDDs only)
Use the built-in Windows Disk Cleanup tool to delete temporary files. Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu. If you’re using a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD), you should also defragment it occasionally (search for “Defragment and Optimize Drives”). Important: Do NOT defragment a Solid State Drive (SSD), as it’s unnecessary and can reduce its lifespan.
Adjust Windows for Best Performance
Windows has visual effects that can consume resources. To adjust them:
- Search for “View advanced system settings” in the Start menu.
- Under the “Advanced” tab, click “Settings” in the Performance section.
- Select “Adjust for best performance” or manually disable animations like fading and sliding.
2. Update Your Drivers
Outdated drivers, especially for your graphics card, are a major cause of poor game performance. Drivers are the software that lets your hardware communicate with your games.
- Graphics Drivers: Visit the website of your GPU manufacturer—NVIDIA (GeForce Experience) or AMD (Adrenalin Software). Download and install the latest driver for your specific model. Always do a custom/clean installation if given the option.
- Chipset & Other Drivers: Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website (like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) and find the support page for your exact motherboard model. Download the latest chipset, audio, and network drivers.
3. In-Game and Graphics Card Settings
Fine-tuning your settings is where you’ll see immediate gains. The goal is to balance visual quality with smooth frame rates.
In-Game Settings to Lower First
Some settings have a huge impact on performance for little visual gain. Try lowering these in your game’s graphics menu:
- Shadows: Often very demanding. Set to Medium or Low.
- Anti-Aliasing: Smooths jagged edges but can be costly. Try FXAA or SMAA instead of MSAA or SSAA.
- Volumetric Fog/Lighting: A performance hog. Reducing this can give a great FPS boost.
- View/Draw Distance: Lowering this reduces how far the game renders objects.
- Resolution: The biggest lever. Dropping from 4K to 1440p or 1080p will dramatically improve speed.
Use NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, or Intel XeSS
If your game supports it, enable these “upscaling” technologies. They render the game at a lower resolution and use AI or algorithms to upscale it, giving you much higher FPS with minimal loss in image quality. It’s one of the best features in modern gaming.
Configure NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Adrenalin
For NVIDIA users, right-click your desktop and open “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Under “Manage 3D settings,” you can set global or program-specific options. Key settings include:
- Power Management Mode: Prefer “Prefer maximum performance.”
- Texture Filtering – Quality: Set to “High performance.”
- Vertical sync: You can set this to “Off” here and control it per-game.
AMD users can make similar adjustments in the Adrenalin software.
4. Monitor Your System and Control Temperatures
High temperatures cause your CPU and GPU to “thermal throttle,” meaning they slow down to avoid damage. Keeping things cool is essential.
- Clean Your PC! Dust is an insulator. Power down, unplug, and use compressed air to gently clean dust from fans, heatsinks, and vents. Do this every few months.
- Improve Airflow: Ensure your case fans are oriented correctly (front/side as intake, rear/top as exhaust). Make sure cables aren’t blocking airflow paths.
- Monitor Temps: Use free software like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check your CPU and GPU temperatures while gaming. Ideally, keep them below 85°C under load.
- Reapply Thermal Paste: If your CPU is old and running hot, the thermal paste between the CPU and its cooler may have dried out. Reapplying fresh paste can lower temperatures significantly.
5. Hardware Upgrades (The Most Effective Fixes)
If software tweaks aren’t enough, a hardware upgrade is the answer. Focus on the biggest bottlenecks first.
Upgrade to a Solid State Drive (SSD)
This is the single most impactful upgrade for a PC still using an HDD. An SSD won’t increase your FPS in-game, but it will make your entire system, Windows, and games load incredibly faster. Install your operating system and favorite games on an SSD.
Add More RAM
If you have less than 16GB of RAM, upgrading to 16GB or even 32GB can prevent stuttering in modern games, especially if you have other applications open. Ensure you buy RAM that’s compatible with your motherboard (DDR4 or DDR5, correct speed).
Upgrade Your Graphics Card (GPU)
The GPU is usually the most important component for gaming performance. A newer card will allow you to turn up settings and achieve higher frame rates at higher resolutions. Research benchmarks for your target games to find the best card for your budget.
Upgrade Your Processor (CPU)
If your GPU isn’t running near 99% usage in games (check with monitoring software), your CPU might be the bottleneck. Upgrading your CPU often requires a new motherboard and sometimes new RAM, so it’s a more complex upgrade.
6. Advanced Tweaks and Considerations
For users comfortable with more technical steps, these can provide extra performance headroom.
Overclocking
Overclocking means running your CPU or GPU at a higher speed than it’s set at by default. It can give free performance but generates more heat and requires stability testing. Use tools like Intel XTU, AMD Ryzen Master, or MSI Afterburner (for GPU) with caution and good cooling.
Enable XMP/DOCP in BIOS
Your RAM often runs at a default slow speed. Enter your BIOS/UEFI (by pressing Delete or F2 during boot) and enable the XMP (Intel) or DOCP (AMD) profile. This makes your RAM run at its advertised speed, giving a nice boost in many games.
Perform a Clean Windows Installation
If your system is very old and bogged down, backing up your data and doing a fresh install of Windows can make it feel like a new machine. This removes all accumulated junk and starts you with a clean slate.
FAQ Section
How can I make my computer faster for gaming for free?
You can make your PC faster for gaming for free by updating drivers, disabling startup programs, adjusting in-game graphics settings to lower levels, cleaning your PC of dust, and optimizing Windows performance settings. These steps cost nothing but time.
What is the best way to speed up a gaming PC?
The best way to speed up a gaming PC is usually a combination of tasks. Start with software cleanup and driver updates. Then, ensure your system is cool and free of dust. For a permanent, significant boost, upgrading your hardware—especially adding an SSD or a better graphics card—is the most effective method.
Why is my gaming PC so slow all of a sudden?
A sudden slowdown could be caused by several things. Check for background processes using your resources in Task Manager. It could be a driver update that went wrong, malware, overheating due to dust buildup, or even a failing hard drive. Run a virus scan and monitor your temperatures to start diagnosing the problem.
Maintenance is Key
Keeping your gaming PC fast isn’t a one-time job. It’s about regular maintenance. Make it a habit to check for driver updates every month or two, keep your system physically clean, and be mindful of what you install. By following the steps in this guide, you can ensure your PC delivers the smooth, responsive gaming experience you built it for. Remember, the process is often about finding the right balance between performance and visual quality that works for you and your hardware.