If you want to enjoy the best possible gaming experience, optimising your PC is essential. Whether you play competitive shooters that demand high FPS or visually rich open-world games that require smooth rendering, a well-tuned system can make a huge difference in performance. Many gamers assume they need to upgrade their hardware to see improvements, but in reality, several simple optimisation steps can significantly boost speed, stability, and overall gameplay without spending a penny. Here’s how to optimise your PC for faster and smoother gaming.
1. Update Your Graphics Drivers
Your GPU plays the most important role in gaming performance. Manufacturers like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel release regular driver updates that improve game compatibility, enhance stability, and boost FPS. Always install the latest drivers through the official software (NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Arc Control). Updated drivers alone can noticeably improve performance in new games.
2. Adjust In-Game Settings for Better FPS
In-game graphics settings have a massive impact on performance. Lowering resource-heavy options like shadows, anti-aliasing, texture quality, and motion blur can give you smoother gameplay instantly. Try using your game’s recommended or “performance” preset, then fine-tune manually. If your game offers DLSS, FSR, or XeSS, enabling these features can dramatically improve frame rates without sacrificing visual quality.
3. Optimise Windows for Gaming
Windows has several built-in features designed to enhance performance. Start by enabling Game Mode, which prioritises gaming resources. Next, disable unnecessary background apps from Task Manager → Startup, as these consume RAM and CPU power. Also consider turning off overlays (like Xbox or Discord overlays) that can cause stuttering or FPS drops.
4. Clean Up Storage and Improve Load Times
A cluttered hard drive slows everything down, including game load times. Use Windows’ Disk Cleanup or a trusted cleanup tool to remove junk files. If you’re still running games on an HDD, consider moving them to an SSD. Solid-state drives drastically reduce loading screens and make games feel more responsive.
5. Improve Cooling and Reduce Throttling
Gaming generates heat, and too much heat forces your CPU or GPU to throttle performance. Make sure your PC has good airflow, clean out dust from fans and vents, and consider using better thermal paste if your temps are too high. Cooler hardware performs faster and more consistently.
6. Upgrade Hardware Strategically (Optional)
If you’re ready to invest in hardware, start with the components that deliver the biggest improvements. Upgrading to 16GB or 32GB of RAM, installing an SSD, or getting a better GPU can dramatically boost your gaming experience. Even a budget-friendly upgrade can offer noticeable results.
Conclusion
Optimising your PC doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. With the right combination of updates, system tuning, and proper maintenance, your machine can run faster, smoother, and more reliably while gaming. Follow these steps regularly, and you’ll enjoy consistently better FPS, reduced lag, and an overall improved gaming experience—no matter what games you play.