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You dropped serious cash on that gaming PC, but there’s a solid chance you’re leaving performance on the table without even knowing it.
Most players plug in their new rig, install a few games, and never look back. They’re missing out on smoother framerates, better responsiveness, and quality-of-life improvements that transform the entire experience. Whether you’re a fresh convert to the PC master race or a grizzled veteran who thinks they’ve seen it all, these tips will help you squeeze every last drop of performance from your hardware.
Let’s dive into the stuff that actually makes a difference.
Master the keyboard shortcuts that save your sanity
Starting with the basics might seem pedestrian, but I guarantee someone reading this will have a lightbulb moment.
Everyone knows Alt+Tab switches between applications and pulls you out of fullscreen games. Alt+F4 closes whatever program you’re currently using, perfect for those rage-quit moments when Battlefield 6 has pushed you to the brink. But here’s the real game-changer: Ctrl+Shift+Escape.
This combination opens Task Manager directly. By itself, that’s moderately useful. Where it becomes genuinely powerful is when you click the settings cog in the bottom left corner and enable “Always on Top.”
Why this matters:
With this setting enabled, Task Manager will appear over crashed games instead of hiding behind them. No more holding down the power button to force restart when a game freezes. Just close the problematic application through Task Manager and continue with your day.
| Shortcut | Function | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+Tab | Switch applications | Multitasking during gameplay |
| Alt+F4 | Close current application | Rage quitting efficiently |
| Ctrl+Shift+Escape | Open Task Manager | Dealing with crashes |
Enable xmp or expo in your bios immediately
This single setting change delivers the most bang for your buck of anything on this list.
Your RAM almost certainly isn’t running at its rated speed out of the box. Manufacturers advertise speeds like 3600MHz or 6000MHz, but without enabling XMP (Intel systems) or EXPO (AMD systems), your memory defaults to much slower speeds.
The process is straightforward: restart your PC, hammer the Delete key during boot to enter BIOS, then look for XMP or EXPO settings on the home screen or under overclocking options. Enable it, save, and restart.
The performance improvement varies based on your CPU, the games you play, and how CPU-limited those titles are. But on many systems, this produces noticeable framerate improvements in CPU-heavy games, all from a single checkbox.
Troubleshooting Note: If your PC fails to boot after enabling XMP/EXPO, clear the CMOS to reset BIOS settings. You can then try again with manually reduced speeds until you find stable settings.
Tune your fans for noise reduction
Stock fan curves tend toward aggressive cooling at the expense of your ears. Most systems can run significantly quieter with minimal effort.
Set your fans to ramp up around 70°C rather than spinning loudly at idle temperatures. This keeps desktop usage essentially silent while still providing adequate cooling during gaming sessions.
Access these settings through your BIOS or, if you have RGB fans with USB controllers, through manufacturer software on your desktop. A little trial and error finds the sweet spot between noise and thermals for your specific setup.
Essential free software every pc gamer needs
Two applications deserve spots on every gaming PC.
CCleaner (it’s C Cleaner, not CC Cleaner, apparently) provides one-click cleanup of unnecessary files cluttering your system. The free version handles everything most users need, clearing space you didn’t know was occupied.
SignalRGB or HighNexus solves the RGB nightmare. Different component manufacturers push their own software ecosystems, leaving you with five programs controlling different lights. These unified applications let you synchronize RGB across brands from a single interface.
Organize your games properly
Create a single folder called “Games” on your gaming drive. Point every launcher’s installation directory here.
This sounds trivially simple, but the organizational benefits compound over time. Finding game files for modding, backup, or troubleshooting becomes infinitely easier when everything lives in one predictable location rather than scattered across Program Files, Program Files (x86), and random launcher-specific folders.
Optimize game settings without the guesswork
Once you’ve installed a game, open it once, then close it. This registers the title with your AMD or Nvidia driver software, enabling the “Optimize” button that automatically configures settings based on your hardware.
For those who prefer manual control, start with high presets and work from there:
- Set texture quality as high as your VRAM allows (this rarely impacts performance significantly)
- Match output resolution to your display’s native resolution
- Set DLSS, FSR, or XeSS to Balanced mode
- Adjust upscaling quality up or down based on framerate needs
- If performance still struggles, disable ray tracing first
- Disable frame generation if latency feels unacceptable
- Reduce lighting and shadow quality as needed
Monitor your performance properly
Knowing your framerate matters, but knowing your bottleneck matters more.
Built-in Options:
The Xbox Game Bar provides performance overlays without additional software, though it’s somewhat bulky. Both AMD and Nvidia drivers include cleaner FPS counters activated via hotkeys, with Nvidia also displaying latency data.
Advanced Monitoring:
MSI Afterburner offers the most comprehensive statistics, including CPU speeds, RAM usage, and per-core utilization. Use this data to identify bottlenecks.
If GPU usage sits at 97% or higher, your graphics card limits performance. Lower GPU usage typically indicates CPU limitation, though don’t be fooled by low overall CPU percentages on multi-core processors since games often stress only a few cores.
Watch RAM and VRAM usage too. Either hitting maximum capacity causes serious performance problems.
Configure variable refresh rate correctly
FreeSync and G-Sync make games smoother by synchronizing your display’s refresh rate with your game’s framerate. But this requires proper configuration in both your monitor’s menu and your PC’s driver software.
Optimal VRR setup:
| Setting | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Monitor VRR | Enabled in OSD menu |
| Driver VRR | Enabled in AMD/Nvidia control panel |
| In-game FPS limit | 2-3 FPS below refresh rate (e.g., 163 on 165Hz display) |
| V-Sync | Enabled in game |
This combination ensures smooth visuals without the input lag that occurs when framerates fluctuate above and below your refresh rate.
Exceptions exist for competitive multiplayer titles where every millisecond counts and framerates far exceed your refresh rate. In those cases, unlimited framerates may serve you better.
Explore mods and launch options
Many games benefit from simple tweaks outside the graphics menu.
Apex Legends accepts launch options in Steam or EA App that raise the FPS cap to 300, providing competitive advantages on high-refresh displays. Other games can be modified through INI files, the text documents storing your graphics settings.
Common INI tweaks include removing FPS caps, disabling unskippable intro videos, forcing hidden graphics options, and adjusting settings beyond what menus allow. Use Notepad++ for editing to avoid formatting issues.
Controller configuration tips
If you’re using an Xbox controller wirelessly, spring for the official Microsoft wireless adapter rather than relying on Bluetooth. Bluetooth connections tend toward flakiness, dropped inputs, and inconsistent vibration. The adapter runs about $30-35 and supports multiple controllers simultaneously.
Remember that PC gaming allows seamless switching between input methods. Keep your controller nearby during mouse-and-keyboard sessions. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 benefit from shooting with precision aim then switching to controller for driving sequences. Just pick up whichever input suits the moment.
Finally, explore Steam Big Picture mode by clicking the controller icon in Steam’s top right corner. This interface makes navigating Steam with a gamepad comfortable, particularly useful when your PC connects to a living room television.
Save money buying games
Steam offers the best platform experience, but not always the best prices. Check competing storefronts before purchasing.
Epic Games Store frequently offers cashback incentives. EA and Xbox have their own sales cycles. Third-party authorized retailers like Green Man Gaming often undercut Steam pricing on new releases.
Many of these stores provide Steam keys anyway, meaning you’re getting the Steam experience at a lower price. There’s no reason to pay full price when the same product costs less elsewhere.
PC gaming rewards those willing to dig beneath the surface. Every optimization, every shortcut mastered, every setting tweaked contributes to an experience that console players simply cannot replicate. The barrier to entry might seem higher, but the ceiling is limitless.
What PC gaming tips have transformed your experience, and which settings do you consider non-negotiable on every new build?
