Unlock higher frame rates and reduce lag with these seven critical PC adjustments, tailored for gamers at every skill level.

1. Keep Graphics Drivers Up-to-Date

Ensure your NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel drivers are always current. Game-ready driver releases often include optimizations and bug fixes for the latest titles.

2. Adjust In-Game Graphics Options

Fine-tune resolution, texture quality, and shadow settings. Reducing the most demanding options can yield significant FPS gains while maintaining visual fidelity.

3. Apply Safe Overclocking Practices

Use utilities like MSI Afterburner or AMD Ryzen Master to boost GPU and CPU clock speeds. Monitor temperatures closely and validate stability with stress-testing tools.

4. Clean Up Temporary Files and Registry Entries

Run Disk Cleanup or third-party utilities to remove leftover files. Repair registry inconsistencies to speed up game launches and minimize load times.

5. Minimize Background Applications

Disable unnecessary startup programs and background services. Free up CPU and RAM by closing idle apps through Task Manager before diving into games.

6. Switch to Solid State Drives

Install your games on an NVMe or SATA SSD for faster data access. Improved read/write performance dramatically shortens load screens and reduces in-game texture pop-in.

7. Enable Game Mode and High-Performance Power Plans

Activate Windows Game Mode and choose a high-performance power profile in your system settings. This prioritizes gaming processes and prevents CPU throttling.

Implement these tweaks to enjoy a smoother, more responsive gaming experience that keeps you competitive across any title.