You might be killing your system performance without even realizing it
You probably remember how snappy your PC felt when you first built it (or bought it). No matter how many programs you launched simultaneously, its multitasking capabilities seemed to be limitless. Over time, however, for seemingly no obvious reason, your PC slowed down. The drop in performance wasn’t drastic, but it was noticeable enough for you to be sure that things have changed. If this is you, it’s time to come face-to-face with some common mistakes that can silently slow your PC down. You might not even realize you’re doing something wrong, but your actions might be killing your system’s performance, preventing it from reaching its potential.
Sticking with the BIOS defaults
Optimizing it takes a few seconds
Using default BIOS/UEFI settings is a different kind of mistake, since it doesn’t take weeks or months for its impact to show up. It simply puts an artificial cap on your PC’s maximum performance. Spending a few minutes in the BIOS can unlock your PC’s true potential, but if you install the OS, boot to the desktop, and forget about the BIOS, this mistake can come back to bite you in various ways. Firstly, forgetting about XMP/EXPO in your RAM settings defaults your memory speed to the JEDEC standard, meaning you’re not even using your RAM at the speed you bought it for.
Secondly, the default fan curves in the BIOS aren’t optimal, especially if you want the lowest possible thermals without excessive noise. Setting custom fan curves allows you to tailor the behavior of your PC to your liking. Lastly, settings like Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) and Multicore Enhancement (MCE) on AMD and Intel motherboards, respectively, should be enabled so that your CPU can intelligently boost performance when needed. You should even disable the onboard devices you aren’t using, such as integrated graphics, SATA controllers, or HD audio controllers, depending on your hardware. This can save you some amount of system resources.
The BIOS/UEFI defaults are set this way to ensure maximum stability on a wide range of hardware. It’s up to you to make a bunch of quick changes to properly set up your new PC. Otherwise, you’re using a handicapped PC in ignorance for months or years before a comment on an online post makes you realize your mistake.
Ignoring regular maintenance
Do so at your own peril
While it might seem that your PC doesn’t need much intervention to ensure optimal performance, a lot of things might be unoptimized underneath. Physically, your machine can get pretty dusty in a matter of weeks, not even months. Unless you clean your PC regularly, it can accumulate stubborn dust deposits that can easily hamper your system’s cooling capabilities. Clogged fans and heatsinks can lead to overheating components as your PC struggles to get enough air intake.
