1. Update Your Drivers
One of the most important steps to take when attempting to improve graphics card performance is to make sure that your graphics drivers are up to date. An outdated graphics driver can drastically affect the performance of your graphics card, causing an array of issues. To ensure that you have the latest drivers installed, visit the website of your graphics card manufacturer and look for a ‘Download & Support’ section. Once you have accessed this section, select the version of your operating system and download the correct driver for your graphics card model. Once you have downloaded the driver file, double-click it to launch the installation process. After the driver has been successfully installed, restart your computer for it to take effect.
2. Adjust Settings in Graphics Control Panel
Depending on the type of graphics card you are using, you may be able to adjust some settings in the graphics control panel to improve its performance. The control panel can be accessed by right-clicking your desktop and selecting ‘Graphics Properties’. Within the properties window, you can adjust a number of settings such as 3D and Video Acceleration, Image Quality, Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic Filtering. These individual settings can make a big difference to the performance of your graphics card, so it’s worth experimenting with different combinations until you find the optimal solution for you.
3. Overclock Your Graphics Card
Overclocking is the process of adjusting your graphics card settings to run at higher speeds than what is standard. This can be a great way to get extra performance out of your graphics card, however it does come with some risks. If you’re not familiar with overclocking, or if you don’t want to risk damaging your hardware, then you should avoid attempting to overclock your graphics card. If you do decide to try it, there are a few software programs available which can help you in the process, such as MSI Afterburner and EVGA Precision X.
4. Lower In-Game Graphics Settings
If you’re having problems with graphics card performance while playing games, one of the easiest ways to improve performance is to lower the in-game graphics settings. The effect of lowering the settings will depend on the game you are playing and the type of graphics card you have installed. Start by reducing the resolution setting, followed by any other graphical settings which affect performance such as texture quality, anti-aliasing, draw distance and effects. It may also be worth enabling VSync if your frame rate is still too high.
5. Install a Cooling System
If your graphics card is overheating then this can lead to poor performance. Installing a cooling system such as an additional fan or a water-cooling system can help to reduce the temperature and improve performance. Make sure that you choose a cooling system which is compatible with your graphics card model and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully during installation.
6. Clean Out Your PC
Dust and other debris inside your PC can cause your graphics card to overheat, reducing its performance. You should regularly open up your computer and use compressed air to remove any dust, dirt or other debris that may have built up over time. Be sure to turn off and unplug your computer before opening it, and take appropriate safety precautions.
7. Reinstall Windows
If all else fails, reinstalling Windows may help to improve your graphics card performance. This is especially true if your computer has been running for a long period of time and has amassed a lot of junk files which could be affecting performance. Before you reinstall Windows, make sure to back up any important data, applications and settings by transferring them to an external storage device. Reinstalling Windows is a time consuming task, but it can sometimes be the best solution to poor graphics card performance.