One of the most important and integral parts of any computer system is the video card. The graphics card is responsible for reading the data and translating it into what you see on the monitor. While there is always the option of replacing an old graphics card with a new one, this requires a certain financial cost. Meanwhile, there are a number of fairly simple ways to improve the capabilities and performance of a video card already installed on a computer.
Instructions
Step 1
Turn off your computer by disconnecting all cables and wires. Open the case of the system unit. Find your graphics card. Remove any dust from the card that may cause the device to overheat, which can reduce performance.
Step 2
Close all programs except the one you are currently working in. This will improve overall performance as it allows the system to use all the RAM for one program.
Step 3
Update your graphics card drivers. To do this, using a web browser, go to the manufacturer's website, select the "Support" tab, then "Download drivers".
Step 4
Install additional memory. Memory improves the overall performance of your computer by allowing you to write more files and access them faster. If your motherboard supports dual channel mode, add a second memory strip. It should be absolutely identical to the one already installed in terms of speed and performance, in order to avoid compatibility problems. Modern motherboards also support tri-channel mode. Refer to the documentation that came with the motherboard on the manufacturer's website, or to the instructions. If possible, add a third strip.
Step 5
Add a second card to activate SLI or CrossFire mode. SLI was originally only available for Nvidia cards and crossfire was only compatible with ATI / AMD. SLI is similar in architecture to two- and three-channel cards. Depending on the model, system performance can be increased up to four times. Since April 2011, SLI has been made compatible with AMD.
Step 6
Upgrade your processor. The graphics card communicates with the CPU, which has the greatest impact on games, along with the graphics card. Even if your graphics card is the most up-to-date, it will not be able to reveal its full performance if a slow processor is installed. To keep up with modern graphics cards, you need at least a dual-core processor.
Step 7
Disable visual effects. They have a greater impact on computer performance. Sure, they decorate the screen, but none of their functions are required. Disable them, especially if your computer is slow under normal conditions. To do this, go to "Control Panel", "System and Security", "System", "Advanced System Settings". In the Performance section, click the Options button. Select "Provide Best Performance".
Step 8
Adjust the graphics settings in the Control Panel. This operation can be performed both to improve image quality and to increase system performance. Double click "Nvidia Settings" in the lower right corner of the taskbar. They may also be called "ATI Catalyst Control Center" or "Intel Graphic Settings". Reduce the level of detail for textures, turn off anti-aliasing and mip-texturing to make your graphics work smoother. Or choose "Highest Quality" for more graphics over speed.
