You Don't Always Need New Hardware

Before spending money on upgrades, it's worth getting the most out of what you already have. A poorly tuned Windows PC can underperform its hardware significantly. The steps below are tried-and-tested optimizations that can meaningfully improve frame rates, reduce stuttering, and lower input lag — no new parts required.

Step 1: Update and Clean Up Your Drivers

Outdated or bloated GPU drivers are one of the most common causes of poor gaming performance.

  1. Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) and use it in Safe Mode to cleanly remove your existing GPU driver.
  2. Download the latest driver directly from NVIDIA.com or AMD.com — not through Windows Update.
  3. For NVIDIA users, install only the "Graphics Driver" component — skip GeForce Experience unless you use it actively.

Step 2: Set Windows to High Performance Mode

Windows' default "Balanced" power plan throttles your CPU to save energy, which directly impacts game performance.

  1. Open Control Panel → Power Options.
  2. Select High Performance. For Intel 12th gen and newer or AMD Ryzen systems, search for the Ultimate Performance plan (enable it via PowerShell if hidden).

Note: This will increase idle power consumption slightly, which is a fair trade for gaming use.

Step 3: Enable Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)

On Windows 11 (and Windows 10 with recent updates), HAGS reduces CPU overhead by letting the GPU manage its own memory scheduling.

  1. Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics Settings.
  2. Toggle on Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.
  3. Reboot your PC.

Results vary by game and GPU, but it generally reduces frame time variance (stuttering).

Step 4: Disable Xbox Game Bar and Unnecessary Overlays

Overlays run in the background and consume CPU/GPU resources. Disable any you don't actively use:

  • Xbox Game Bar: Settings → Gaming → Xbox Game Bar → Off
  • GeForce Overlay (Alt+Z): Disable in GeForce Experience settings
  • Discord overlay: Discord Settings → Game Overlay → Disable

Step 5: Optimize In-Game Graphics Settings

Not all graphics settings have the same performance cost. Prioritize disabling these high-cost settings:

  • Ray tracing — Massive GPU hit; disable unless you have an RTX 4080 or equivalent
  • Ambient occlusion — Drop to Medium or Off for significant gains
  • Shadows — Set to Medium; diminishing visual returns above that
  • Anti-aliasing — Use TAA or DLSS/FSR instead of MSAA x8

Enable NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, or Intel XeSS if supported — these upscaling technologies provide near-native image quality at a fraction of the GPU cost.

Step 6: Check for Thermal Throttling

A hot CPU or GPU will reduce its clock speed to avoid damage, directly hurting performance. Use HWInfo64 to monitor temperatures during gaming:

  • CPU temps above 95°C are a concern — reseat the cooler or replace thermal paste
  • GPU temps above 85°C under load may benefit from improved case airflow
  • Clean dust from fans and radiators — it makes a measurable difference

Step 7: Set Your Monitor to Its Highest Refresh Rate

Windows doesn't always default to your monitor's maximum refresh rate. Check via Settings → System → Display → Advanced Display Settings and set it to the highest available option (e.g., 144Hz, 165Hz).

The Result

Combining all these steps can yield noticeably smoother gameplay — particularly reduced stuttering and more consistent frame delivery. Treat these as a baseline before considering any hardware upgrade. A well-tuned mid-range PC will consistently outperform a poorly configured high-end one.