21 Essential Steps to Make Your PC Better/Faster/Stronger
Posted 05/28/09 at 11:30:40 AM by Gordon Mah Ung
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A sucker buys a new PC at the first signs of a slowdown. A savvy power user gives his aged PC a fighting chance for redemption. From tweaking your OS to compressing files to overclocking your videocard or CPU, there are plenty of ways to tune up a computer, and none require a trip to Bob’s House of New PCs. Follow along this step-by-step as we show you 21 of our favorite techniques for making a PC better, stronger, and faster — for free. These essential tweaks and tune-ups range from common-sense caretaking measures to practical adjustments that you'd be foolish to ignore. Combined, they release your PC's untapped potential and breathe new life into your system.
1. Secure Your Applications
You know to update your antivirus definitions and run Windows Update, but did you know about that massive security hole in Acrobat 8.0 or the potential risks of running that obscure unzipping app you favor? Probably not. That’s where Secunia’s Personal Software Inspector (http://secunia.com) comes in. PSI uses its massive database of security holes to monitor all the apps on your machine and let you know which ones need updating. PSI even provides a link to any available patches and is on constant vigilance for new application security holes as they arise.
2. Clean Your PC
Depending on the environment, you can breed an entire warren of dust bunnies inside your PC within a few months. That may sound harmless, but the build-up can easily slow or even jam the various fans in your system and impair performance. Just as you vacuum out the dust from your refrigerator’s condenser on occasion (you do that, right?), you should also clean out the dust that’s jamming the fans in your rig. A vacuum cleaner will work on the larger case fans and filters, but we shudder at the thought of capacitors being sucked off the surface of the motherboard. Instead, bring the PC outside (or inside if you don’t care about your office) and use a can of compressed air to clean out the more sensitive areas.
3. Clean Up Windows
Some of the built-in functionality in Windows is underrated. The Disk Cleanup does a pretty handy job of wiping out junk you don’t need such as Microsoft Office temp files and old error reports. To run Disk Cleanup, open My Computer. Right-click the drive the OS is installed on and click Properties. Under the General tab, you’ll see a Disk Cleanup button. Click it and the app will run an analysis of the machine. You can dump the Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Offline Webpages, Microsoft Error Reporting Temporary Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, Web Client/ Publisher Temporary Files, Temporary Offline Files, Offline Files, and Catalog Files for the Content Indexer with no ill effects.
4. Compress Your Files
It’s a known fact that hard drive performance plummets as you approach the drive’s maximum capacity. Folks with 2TB drives may never see that day, but for the peeps subsisting on a nearly full 160GB or 250GB drive, it’s a very real and performance-crippling problem. Assuming you don’t have an additional drive to move the content to, your choices are pretty slim. But before you take a machete to your files, you might want to consider simply compressing them.
We don’t mean firing up WinZip and archiving all the files—that would be too much work. Instead, use Windows’ built-in compression tool, which will make accessing the files no different than it currently is. You can access the feature by opening My Computer, right-clicking on the drive you want to compress, and selecting Properties. Click Disk Cleanup and make sure Compress Old Files is checked. Click Options and specify the age of the files you want Windows to compress. Click OK and Windows will compress only the files you haven’t accessed in more than, say, six months. Once Windows is finished compressing the files, you’ll see that the names of those files are colored blue. The names of the untouched files will appear in black.
We’ve found that with even mid-level CPUs, such as a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo, the time it takes to decompress a file is minimal. For even older machines, you shouldn’t see too much of an impact as most of the files that are compressed haven’t been accessed in some time. On one of our machines, we went from 8GB free to 30GB free by compressing older files.
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Submitted by philippecote3 on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 6:34pm
Very helpful, thank you.
Submitted by cchriskaufman on Wed, 06/10/2009 - 5:51am
Your approach of "freeloading" the DriveAgent information and doing your own driver locating is by far the best. I shelled out the $$ and was given drivers that were older than what I had on my system, drivers that weren't for my hardware at all. In general, save your money and just freeload!!!!
On the other hand, the Secunina PSI is great!!! And for home use, it's FREE!!!
CK
Submitted by mtjepkema on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:47pm
Get an antec 1200... they are bigger and you can fit your GTX2XX's in there. The Antec 900 is exactly 10.5 inches deep - just enough for your GTX cards with no HDD's in the way. The Antec 1200 has more depth for your 11 inch GTX295.
Submitted by themodefanatic on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 6:20am
Before the first subject there is a picture of a computer. What kind of computer is it. Does anyone know? I believe its a Dell but not sure.
If your talking about
Submitted by Mr.Pooney on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 7:44am
If your talking about the cover picture of the story its an Antec 900 (one) if im not mistake
I've been thinking of replacing my Thermaltake M9 for one of thoes
i had to advance the hard drive cage a good 2'' to fit my 9800gt
so now the fan its way out in front and not covered...
Havent had a toe cut of yet but.......... "stuff" happens
Intel C2D E7200
ASUS P5K/EPU MoBo
BFG 8800 GT OC2 Video Card
4GB Kingston HyperX 1066 DDR2 Ram
5 W.D 500GB HD
2 LG G22N 20x DVD±RW DL
CoolerMaster 650Watt PS
I'll ask again... as far as
Submitted by yogurt80 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:04pm
I'll ask again... as far as compressing files goes, I have a 1tb drive that is almot
completely full from my backed up DVDs and Blu Rays.
Can I compress
these files on the hard drive without damaging the quality?
Submitted by johnnymegabyte on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:19pm
Compressed Air ... in a can ?
Use a balloon pump from the dollar store. Also "green" ... take that environMENTALists
Submitted by nightkiller on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 5:50pm
The genius who dreamed up this strategy should be made to sit in a single pair of Attends without removing them for a week. They are either not respectful of their clients who put their money upfront AND in good faith with the expectation that it will not be used to finance freetards or they are simply showing that they are intellectually bankrupt in what they consider to be original content.
Perhaps this is a subtle signal to move on to arstechnica or anandtech for the real deal.
You choose a flightless bird as a mascot and wonder why it doesn't take off?
Submitted by jsmithstate on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 4:38pm
Two tips to make your older computer run faster than new.
-Uninstall Vista
-Install Damn Small Linux (whole O/S runs in ram)It will make your pentium 2 feel like a new quad core CPU.
even better
Submitted by johnny3144 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:06pm
-uninstall whatever OS you have
-run DOS
the speed of outprint scrolling will make your pentium 2 feel like a quad core
Submitted by ericbrow on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:58pm
I disagree with the large majority of these suggestions. Most of this stuff is crapware itself, and will only integrate itself into the OS thereby slowing it down. The few suggestions I would not mark as bad I would also suggest that they do not need to be done on a regular basis (defragging, for example, only needs to be done on occasion unless you have been installing/uninstalling lots of software). Compressing folders may gain some space, but ALWAYS slows down a computer. Many of these programs may be decent if installed and ran once or twice, then uninstalled. I can't tell you how many machines I've had come through my shop that have not only the software listed here, but 4 or 5 others of the same type of software gumming up the system.
Submitted by lhatten on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:48pm
This may or may not be the place for this, but the Mr Pooney has a point here (not well written but a point). It has bothered me when I am reading my new mag and realize that I have already read the article online. It seems that it would be a good idea to delay the online content slightly. Also, I think it would be a good idea to have a subscribers portion of the web site. You could put in your subscription number and then access "extra" material. As far as I know, the model of giving away your content while trying to sell your publication is not working for newspapers, why should it work for magazines?
2nd Notion
Submitted by FenixSS on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:13am
I agree, should be printed for great bathroom reading material :D
Submitted by foamcup on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:55am
Glad to see it get mentioned. I've been using it for years, it's worth the money. It's probably not necessary on my Vista machines, but eh.
Submitted by aplc0r on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:47am
Just as others have said, the problem with using a vacuum isn't
capacitors being damaged (you have a better chance of doing that with
using compressed air too close), its the static electricity that can
build up and jump onto your board. I used to use a compressed air tank
out in the garage, but once I moved to an apartment this wasn't an
option. 3M makes a small electrostatic safe vacuum (labeled ESD safe)
for about $150 which is great for large cases, and doesn't make a huge
mess.And a quick note about SMART warnings. Most BIOSs and Vista will warn
about a SMART failure, but usually only when there is imminent failure.
Usually turned on by default, the BIOS runs a quick SMART test during
POST. It hardly slows down boot at all. Vista will actually warn you
via a system tray notification telling you to back up your data
immediately.
Submitted by mls067 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:25am
I have to say that I like having a hard copy maxpc lying around as well as having it online. I guess I am just old school like that. I have another tech magazine (like I need another besides maxpc...ok I'll remove my lips now) that went to just digital and while it works well, I am not going to renew my subscription. If I am going to have to connect to read it I can probably find everything in just a few sites for free.
Submitted by PhelanPKell on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:53am
Three words: Bathroom Reading Material.
Given, my MaxPC mags go into my backpack and come everywhere with me for about 6 months after they came out, but it's nice to have something good to read in the bathroom either way. ^^
Submitted by Mr.Pooney on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:07am
So.... i got my mag 2 days ago... taking in to acount that i live in northern canada it may take a few days longer then most but what do i see today on the site? THE F**KING COVER STORY TO THIS MONTHS MAG!
SO YOUR TELLING ME THAT I COULD HAVE KEPT MY BUCKS AND STILL GOTTEN THE WHOLE STORY "For FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"? that is just BS! i mean! atlease wait till the next issue comes out `s|-|it!
---------------------------------------------
Intel C2D E7200
ASUS P5K/EPU MoBo
BFG 8800 GT OC2 Video Card
4GB Kingston HyperX 1066 DDR2 Ram
5 W.D 500GB HD
2 Samsuns SH-S223 DVD±RW
CoolerMaster 650Watt PS
Submitted by schmitty6633 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:23am
That's pretty much what the magazine is. You can get all of it a month ahead online and the mag is mainly outdated. Pretty much the mag is just what's been posted on the site with a few extra goddies. Ripoff to me.
Submitted by linkmaster6 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 7:32am
Driver Agent is a piece of crap you have to pay for, do your own driver homework
My tip for a faster computer
Submitted by MAXPCreader07 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 7:09am
My tip for a faster computer is to use a faster/lighter OS.
For example: instead of Windows Vista, try Windows 7, or instead of Ubuntu, try CrunchBang Linux.
Submitted by pglasc on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:36am
I really do not advise using a vacuum to clean out the pc. The vacuum can build up static electricity.I have an air tank with electic motor on it. I put it up to about 30 psi and go after it. Alot cheaper than buying compressed air all of the time plus I use it for a million other things. As inexpensive as hard drives are get a 1TB hard drive for around $100 and be done with it.
Submitted by inmate365 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:14am
I quit using copressed air years ago. I have been using my electric leaf blower to clean PC's.
Looks like a mini A-bomb with all the dust being blown out of the case. Just be sure you know
where all the wires go!
Why an electric leaf
Submitted by wherryj on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:07pm
Why an electric leaf blower? I always go with gas. This is MAXIMUM PC after all. Yout can't really get the horses out of the electric blowers.
Sure, cleaning the fumes out of the house is a hastle,and there's always the risk of asphyxiation or the occasional oil spill, but since when is over the top not a good thing?
Submitted by lancethepants on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:31am
I just hook up a nozzle to my air compressor, and blast the innards of my pc 's. Get's the job done good, and will even get all the junk out in the cpu heatsink fins. At first I wondered if it wouldn't be good for it, but I've been doing it for years now, and it's never rendered any computer inoperable. Works like a charm
Dont bag on Gordon...
Submitted by hiremenow on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 5:02am
Gordon is badass and the reason he is using the default disk cleanup is probably to keep you from having to spend money he's a genius.
Submitted by ptmcannany on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 4:27am
There is alot of other product that do a much better job than disk cleanup. I can’t be believe that someone in the IT field wrote this article.
And yet you didn't name a
Submitted by Cache on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:26am
And yet you didn't name a single one. Ample space here in the comments field, I believe; name a few.
Submitted by yogurt80 on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:58pm
And the 1mm thick dust build up on your fans is easily cleaned with some swabs and alcohol.
I use a series of
Submitted by Denis63 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:16am
I use a series of paintbrushes, mainly a 4-inch horsehair badboy. it cleans everything and dosn't push capacitors around, plus it was 10 bucks and it'll last forever :) -Denis
Submitted by yogurt80 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 6:53am
Ooo- that's good advice!! I like that idea!
Submitted by Denis63 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 11:26am
Thanks! i only use cans of air for my PSU's. and the massive paintbrush gets deep down in the fins of a heatsync! i should of mentioned that... -Denis
Submitted by Captain on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 11:28pm
i learned recently that blowing compressed air onto electronics with dust on it can significantly damage it, so i advise against it. Use a vaccum, its much much safer.
Really?
Submitted by Havok on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 7:05am
And the static generated from a vaccum is much safer? Hey everone, lets have some CPU fried rice! I'll get the vaccum, you bring the Phenom! Quick tip to the unwise: don't push your spray nozzle right up against your equipment when you blow it out. Leave an inch or two gap 'tween the nozzle and surface and you won't 'damage' your gear.
OMGWTFBBQ
So, instead of blowing
Submitted by Caboose on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 7:04am
So, instead of blowing dust off of electrical sensitive components which is much safer, we'll create a static charge which can cause even MORE damage, to the point of frying a component which will render the part dead. Hmmm, me thinks your method is flawed!
-= I don't want to be dead, I want to be alive! Or... a cowboy! =-
Submitted by yogurt80 on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 10:24pm
What's so bad about Smart Defrag? I've rarely had a file that didn't defrag. Also, how does Defraggler fare? I use it ocassionally, and haven't had any issues.
Also, as far as compressing files goes, I have a 1tb drive that is almot completely full from my backed up DVDs and Blu Rays. Can I compress these files on the hard drive without damaging the quality?
Submitted by yogurt80 on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:49pm
Let me add a tip- if you use compressed air regularly, (as Ido), make sure you POWER DOWN YOUR STUFF FIRST!! First, if the can is shaken or inverted, the chemicals come out freezing, which could cause damage.
Second, the air is VERY FLAMABLE!! Components get very hot and can ignite! I once used air on my running projector, only to hear an ignition and have flames shoot out of the air vents, leaving charred film on the lens.
Sorry but I am just going to
Submitted by D.E. on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:37pm
Sorry but I am just going to skip out a number of these tips. Mostly because it involves installing more apps than I really need. Like do I really need an app to tell me which bits of software need updating-- I think I can be on top of that. =/
Submitted by almax on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 9:06pm
These two tips I don't get,
4. Compress Your Files
9. Archive Your FilesOld school tips about optimizing limited ram have gone to the wayside due to cheap prices. Have we not yet reached the same point with hard drive space??
You linked to www.cupid.com
Submitted by Netram on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:20pm
You linked to www.cupid.com instead of www.cpuid.com.
Funny thing is, PCGUK did the same thing but in their printed mag :P
Submitted by norman on Wed, 05/27/2009 - 8:27pm
ha, good catch. link and text is fixed. thanks!-- Norm
Submitted by willmonke on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 11:18am
must have been extra lonely when making link.
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