Gaming PCs are already amazing—but what if I told you there are dozens of simple tweaks that most people haven’t heard of? These small improvements can raise your frame rates, quiet your rigs, and even make your workflow feel smoother. Stick with me—I’ll walk through 13 practical tips that can change how you play and how you feel about it.
1. Use Task Manager to Recover from Game Crashes (And More)
Feeling frustrated when a game crashes and locks up?
Here’s a life‑hack most gamers don’t know:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- In the Options menu, check “Always on top.”
Now, when a game freezes, Task Manager stays visible so you can simply end the task instantly. No reboot required.
💡 Bonus tip: While you’re at it, use Win + Shift + S—this activates the Windows Snipping Tool so you can quickly grab screenshots mid-game.
2. Master Window Switching with Alt + Tab
If you’re playing and need to switch to Discord, a walkthrough, or your browser, using Alt + Tab is a much smoother way to jump between windows than minimizing everything manually. It’s fast, keyboard-centric, and keeps your immersion intact.
3. Unlock Frame Rate Caps via Launch Options or Configuration Files
Some games, like Apex Legends, are capped at 144 FPS by default. You can override it:
- On Steam: Right-click the game → Properties → Set Launch Options:
+fps_max unlimited - For other games, you may need to edit configuration files (like
.inior.cfg) with a tool such as Notepad++. Just navigate to the game’s folder, enable hidden files in Explorer, and adjust frame‑limit settings manually.
This is especially helpful for older games like Batman: Arkham Knight, which often crash on modern monitors unless you mod the resolution manually.
4. Monitor In‑Game Performance Metrics Easily
Want to know exactly how your system is performing mid‑game?
- NVIDIA users: Use NVIDIA GeForce Experience → FPS counter.
- AMD users: Activate the built‑in performance overlay.
- For more in-depth monitoring, use tools like MSI Afterburner or NVIDIA Frameview—these show FPS, CPU/GPU clock speeds, temperature, RAM / VRAM usage, and more inline while gaming.
📊 Why it matters: Knowing these stats helps identify bottlenecks—maybe your CPU is fine but you’re VRAM-starved. It guides smarter upgrades.
5. Consider GPU Overclocking with MSI Afterburner
Many users overlook GPU overclocking—but it’s safe and can yield a stable 3–5% FPS boost without voiding warranties (if you’re comfortable). Here’s how:
- Download MSI Afterburner.
- Increase core and memory clock by small increments (max ~+100–150 MHz).
- Raise power and temperature limits slightly.
- Stress test with games or synthetic benchmarks to ensure stability.
💡 CPU overclocking works similarly—but proceed carefully, especially in BIOS. Activating XMP/EPoX memory profiles is essential too (we’ll talk about that next).
6. Enable Memory XMP / EXPO Profiles in BIOS
Let’s move to the BIOS—this is crucial for unlocking RAM performance:
- Restart and press Delete (or your motherboard’s key) to enter BIOS.
- Enable XMP (by Intel) or EXPO (by AMD), which runs RAM at its certified speeds (e.g. DDR4‑3600, DDR5‑6000).
- Without this, your memory may default to much slower speeds, cutting into FPS in CPU-bound games like Call of Duty: Warzone or Assassin’s Creed.
⚠️ Note: This is technically overclocking. Occasionally, it may result in no-boot scenarios requiring a CMOS reset—but the performance gains can be worth it.
7. Enable Resizable BAR for Better CPU–GPU Collaboration
Inside the same BIOS settings, look for:
- Resizable BAR or Above 4G Decoding
Enabling this improves data transfer efficiency between CPU and GPU, which can translate into smoother performance in many modern games.
8. Customize Fan Curves to Keep Things Quiet
Often overlooked: your cooling doesn’t need to sound like a jet engine. Make sure:
- All fans are connected directly to the motherboard (not a separate controller).
- Use BIOS or motherboard software (e.g. MSI Dragon Center, ASUS Fan Xpert) to create a custom curve:
- Lower RPM at idle
- Increase threshold only when temp crosses 60 °C
This approach reduces noise significantly while preserving thermal safety.
9. Use Dynamic, Animated Wallpaper with Wallpaper Engine
Yes, it’s simple—but it Elevates your entire desktop aesthetic.
- Download Wallpaper Engine on Steam.
- Choose from thousands of user-created animated backgrounds.
- Configure it to pause or minimize impact when full-screen apps launch.
It’s lightweight and magical if you’re looking for style without compromise.
10. Add a Bias Light Behind Your Monitor to Reduce Eye Strain
Here’s a surprisingly underused tip:
Place a soft, diffused light strip behind your monitor (e.g., Philips Hue Play Bars or other neutral LED strips). Don’t activate rainbow effects—just pick a dim, warm color.
Why this matters: Your eyes won’t jump between bright screen and dark room constantly. You reduce fatigue, especially over long gaming sessions in dim environments.
11. Optimize Graphics Settings for Performance vs Quality
When configuring settings in game:
- Use max texture resolution and draw distance where possible (they look great and help with immersion).
- Set shadows, ray tracing, and ambient occlusion to high instead of ultra, especially if you’re targeting 100+ FPS.
- Rendering heavy features like ray tracing can cost 20–40% FPS. If you’re above your monitor’s refresh rate, dial them down for smoother gameplay.
12. Consolidate All Your Games with GOG Galaxy 2
If you’re juggling multiple launchers (Steam, Epic, Origin, Battle.net):
- Use GOG Galaxy 2 to import all your libraries into one interface.
- Launch games from a central app and avoid having multiple launchers active (which consume RAM/CPU in the background).
This helps keep your system lean and performance-focused.
13. Use Big Picture Mode to Navigate with a Controller
Even if you use keyboard + mouse most of the time, Steam’s Big Picture Mode is useful if you’re sitting farther from your desktop (on a couch, for example).
- Press the “Big Picture” icon in Steam.
- Your UI becomes controller-friendly, with large buttons and easy navigation.
Works perfect if you occasionally stream games to your TV or prefer playing from the couch with a controller.
⚙️ Optional Setup Upgrades: Controller Reliability
Just a quick note here—yes, you can use wireless controllers, but:
- Many PCs (especially older ones) suffer from Bluetooth input delays or dropouts.
- For reliability, consider the official Xbox Wireless Adapter (~₹2,500–₹3,500), which:
- Supports multiple controllers
- Provides rock-solid signal and minimal latency
- Works immediately without pairing issues
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use MSI Afterburner to overclock without voiding GPU warranty?
Typically yes—small OC values are within spec. Be cautious about extreme overclocking or voltage tweaks.
Q: Does enabling XMP/EXPO void my system?
It counts as RAM overclocking—but it is a tested profile. If your PC fails to boot, just reset CMOS.
Q: What’s better: dynamic wallpaper or better FPS?
Both! Wallpaper Engine consumes minimal GPU cycles and doesn’t impact modern GPU-framerate budgets.
Q: Do I need a bias light if my room is bright already?
Maybe not. Bias lights help reduce eye fatigue when your ambient light is much dimmer than your display.
✅ Summary: Quick Action Items
- Enable Task Manager always‑on‑top for crash recovery.
- Learn Alt + Tab and Win + Shift + S shortcuts.
- Unlock FPS via launch options or config files.
- Monitor performance using NVIDIA overlay, MSI Afterburner, or Frameview.
- Consider GPU and CPU overclocking, or enable XMP/EXPO in BIOS.
- Enable Resizable BAR to improve CPU–GPU communication.
- Use custom fan curves to reduce noise.
- Add animated wallpaper via Wallpaper Engine.
- Install a bias light behind your monitor for eye comfort.
- Optimize game settings—texture high, ray tracing accordingly.
- Centralize your PC library with GOG Galaxy 2.
- Use Steam Big Picture Mode if you game from your couch.
- Invest in the Xbox Wireless Adapter for reliable controller support.
Why These Seemingly Small Tweaks Add Up to Big Gains
There’s a pattern across these tips: most players focus on raw FPS or RGB cosmetics, but forget about workflow, comfort, reliability, and mental ease. When your system is quiet, crashes recover quickly, eyes feel better, and stats don’t need to be guessed—you get a better user experience overall.
Imagine switching windows seamlessly mid-trade, spotting a GPU thermal spike before it throttles you, or playing for hours without jaw‑clenching fatigue. These are the real advantages.
Tags
PC gaming tips, FPS boosting tricks, silent gaming PC, MSI Afterburner overclock, XMP memory settings, gaming PC optimization, wallpaper engine usage, bias lighting gaming, GOG Galaxy 2 guide, Steam Big Picture controller, gaming BIOS tweaks, Resizable BAR explained
Hashtags
#PCGaming #GamePerformance #FPSBoost #QuietPC #GamingTips #Overclocking #SteamBigPicture #WallpaperEngine #GOGGalaxy2 #BiasLighting #ResizableBAR #MSIAfterburner
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. Overclocking, BIOS configuration changes, and hardware tuning may void warranties or cause system instability. Always back up data and proceed with caution. Some suggestions may not be suitable for all hardware configurations or user comfort levels.
These simple tweaks can transform your gaming setup—not by redesigning your rig, but by revealing its hidden potential. Let me know if you want an expanded walkthrough of any tip or deeper configurations for specific games or systems.
