PC Optimization tutorial

Chipper500

Chipper500

Chipper500

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Joined
2 Jun 2013
Posts
421
Hello all,

My PC is currently a number of years old, primarily my GPU (MSI 290x Lightning). because of the this, I am trying to optimise my PC settings and configure my software to ensure i am getting the most out of the system.

Outside of overclocking the GPU (which i have already done) i was hoping to find a good youtube tutorial on how to optimise other parts of my system, windows etc....

I was going to use this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaYbFmB2rDw, however, there are some negative comments at the bottom. So before i go ahead and carry out changes in the video i was hoping to get some opinions from you guys.

If this video isn't great can you guys recommend another to me?

Thanks as always

Chipper
 
What OS are you using?

Windows 7 needed some TLC to keep it running in tip top shape but Windows 10 is a whole different beast, it does a very good job of looking after its own resources and utilising hardware very well.
 
Whats the system Spec?

TBH Windows 10 on a semi decent system is far superior than windows 7 ever was and needs no interaction to "optimise" it. I have been using it since release and its worked straight out of the box no issues (other than the recent update causing microphone problems but that was an easy fix).
 
Sorry should have posted this in the original post:

Win 10
MSI Lightning 290x
i5 4690k @ 3.50 o/c'ed to 4.00 ghz
8G DDR3 Ram
Acer XR34 3440 x 1440
SSD Hard drive

I've been putting of buying a new GPU due to the high price and not great performance from the current Vega models, so im trying to push as much out of this systems as possible atm and with the monitor its difficult

i tend to play Total War games and MMOrpgs
 
Get some more ram on the Members Market putting you up to 16gb will make a huge improvement to performance. Otherwise your spec is very similar to mine.

Also your GPU could be replaced with something a little more powerful on the MM.
 
My tips for getting a bit more life out of an old pc:

1. Thermals
Be aware as you put load on your system that it heats up, and too much heat is bad and can lead to reduced performance and stability.
Measure temperatures. Tool to monitor temperatures: https://hwmonitor.en.softonic.com/
Clean all the dust out of your PC with an air duster. Especially case fans, dust filters, cpu cooler, gpu cooler. Air duster: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ocuk-air-duster-compressed-air-400ml-kb-010-op.html
Re-measure temperatures.

2. SSD
Get an ssd if you don't have one.
Improvement: Massive.

3. Measure
Windows 10: Task Manager
Earlier Windows: Process Explorer: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer
Perform your task, e.g. play the game you want to improve. (adding load to your system, remember thermals)
The point of this is to find out which resource is your bottleneck, CPU, RAM, GPU, VRAM.
Measure your frame rate before and after any changes, be aware of the refresh rate of your monitor.

3a. CPU
See if you can overclock your CPU. This is for advanced users.
There's the possibility of upgrading your CPU, but I don't recommend it. Better to start saving for your next PC imo.
Lower your game settings, particularly View Distance in MMOs.

3b. RAM
Buy some more RAM.

3c. GPU
See if you can overclock your GPU. Typically you can get software from your GPU manufacturer to help, e.g. MSI Afterburner.
Upgrading your GPU is a possibility, but you may also need to upgrade your PSU, and you may just uncover a new bottleneck so not really gain much.
Lower your game settings.

3d. GPU VRAM
Lower your game settings, particularly Anti-Aliasing.

3e. No bottleneck / still confused
Reinstall Windows, get latest drivers.
The goal is to try and run your PC with the least amount of stuff interfering with what you're trying to do.

4. Optimal stopping
If you've found out that some amount of spending could upgrade your current PC, you have to consider if it's really worth it.
You could instead put that money into a savings account towards your next new PC.
Choose a spending limit based on how much extra life you think the upgrade would give you. E.g. £50/year.

Some links for comparing CPUs:
http://cpuboss.com/
https://www.anandtech.com/bench/CPU/
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-hierarchy,4312.html

Some links for comparing GPUs:
http://gpuboss.com/
https://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU17/1913
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
 
Turning off telemetry in Windows 10 has helped with some systems, but seems to make the most difference on PCs with spinning disks, rather than with SSDs.

Guide: https://winaero.com/blog/how-to-disable-telemetry-and-data-collection-in-windows-10/

I am surprised this has not come up elsewhere as it made a huge difference to my sister's convertible laptop/tablet thing (has a spinning disk) and seemed to improve things on my aging 3770K system, however that last one could be placebo as I do have an SSD and it was not quite such a big change.
 
dpc latency checker to identify rogue drivers eg nic/wireless.

Checking scheduled events, eg. getting rid of perpetual chrome update ones.

Using add-ons in browser to strip tracking links, and avoid un-necessary adds etc.

checking cpu paste
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, going to have a look into a number of them

i reinstalled Win 10 and surprisingly i have refound around an extra 20% according to my benchmarks.

However to play AAA games with this monitor i am looking into the current Vega deals, prob the 56 version. IIRC my power supply is a Superflower 650X, would this require upgrading for the Vega 56?
 
Should be okay, but often it should be okay and people find they need a new PSU anyway.

Are you not also RAM limited? I'd be looking at another 8GB if I was you.
 
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