How to improve your PC’s gaming performance

Whether you're navigating the vast landscapes of the latest role-playing game or battling it out in a high-octane shooter, your gaming PC needs to be working at its best. 

At Asurion, we’ve got the know-how to help turn an ordinary gaming session into an extraordinary adventure. From helping you pick out the best gaming monitors and TVs to how to connect your PS5 DualSense controller to your computer—we’ve got all your tech care needs covered. Here’s our guide to getting the most out of your gaming PC.

Why should you optimize your PC for gaming?

Here are a few important reasons you’ll want to get more out of your PC gaming computer. 

• Smoother gameplay: No more lagging, stuttering, or crashing—just seamless gaming.
• Improved graphics quality: Stunning visuals, rich textures, and lifelike details help immerse you in your game's world.
• Longevity of hardware: Reducing the strain on your hardware extends the life of your valuable gaming rig.
• Competitive edge: Every advantage matters. A better PC provides faster response times, reducing input lag and keeping you at the top of your game.

How to optimize your PC for gaming

Getting the most out of your PC for gaming can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With these steps, you can enhance your gaming experience and make sure your system is able to handle the demands of modern games.

Use Game Mode

Windows™ 11 allows you to use Game Mode to get the most out of your system's resources for gaming.

1. Press the Windows Key + I simultaneously to open your Settings panel.
2. Select Gaming from the left-hand sidebar menu, then click Game Mode on the right.
3. Toggle the switch to ON.

When active, Game Mode automatically blocks Windows Update from downloading files in the background, stops driver installation notifications mid-match, and forces your CPU to dedicate its primary processing threads to your active game window.

Upgrade your graphics card

An upgraded graphics card future-proofs your gaming rig, making sure it can handle upcoming game releases and all their features. Whether you're into multi-monitor gaming or VR, a powerful graphics card can significantly improve your gaming visuals and framerates, creating a more immersive experience. Plus, upgrading to a high-performance graphics card can increase your system's resale value, making it a smart investment.

Turn on Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS)

If your game runs smoothly most of the time but occasionally stutters for no obvious reason, this setting is worth a try. HAGS lets your graphics card handle more of its own workload instead of constantly waiting on your CPU, which can help reduce frame drops and make gameplay feel more consistent.

To turn it on:

1. Open Settings > System > Display.
2. Scroll down and select Graphics.
3. Click Change default graphics settings.
4. Turn Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling on.

You'll need to restart your PC afterward for the change to take effect.

Remove unnecessary programs

Background programs can consume valuable system resources. Keep your PC clean by removing any programs you no longer use.

1. Press the Windows Key + I to open the master Settings dashboard.
2. Click Apps from the left sidebar panel, then select Installed apps on the right.
3. Scroll through your software catalog. When you spot an old app or game launcher you no longer use, click the three dots (...) next to it and select Uninstall.

You may also want to use PC cleaning tools to remove temporary files—or leave it to a pro to perform a complete computer tune-up.

Boost your Wi-Fi speed

If you're gaming over Wi-Fi, make sure your connection is as strong and stable as possible. Consider upgrading your router or moving it closer to your gaming area. Check out our guide to learn more ways to boost your Wi-Fi speed. 

Use an ethernet cable

Your internet could be the source of gaming lag. For a more reliable and faster internet connection, try using an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi when gaming.

Adjust your monitor’s refresh rate

The refresh rate of your monitor can significantly impact your gaming PC. Higher refresh rates, such as 144Hz or 240Hz, offer a smoother, more responsive experience. Ensure your monitor's refresh rate matches your gaming requirements, as it can eliminate unnecessary strain on your graphics card. 

1. Right-click an empty space on your desktop wallpaper screen and choose Display settings.
2. Scroll down and click Advanced display.
3. Locate the dropdown box labeled Choose a refresh rate and select the maximum mathematical frequency your panel supports (e.g., 144.00 Hz or 240.00 Hz).

Update your computer’s drivers

Regularly updating your PC’s drivers, especially for your graphics card, can fix bugs that might affect gaming. Not sure how?  An expert can help update those drivers for you. 

Lower the resolution

Lowering the resolution on your monitor reduces the number of pixels your graphics card needs to render, which can lead to a smoother gaming experience and less lag. 

To adjust your monitor's resolution, right-click on your desktop, select Display Settings, and choose a lower resolution that still provides an enjoyable experience. 

Adjust your game’s video settings manually

Instead of altering your entire Windows operating system display resolution, balance your performance parameters directly inside your game's engine options menu.

• Lower heavy render assets: Dropping high-impact options like Shadow Quality, Motion Blur, and Volumetric Fog down to Medium or Low can instantly boost your frames per second (FPS) by 20% to 30% without ruining how your characters look.
• Engage smart AI upscalers: Turn on options like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, or Intel XeSS inside your game settings. These tools allow your computer to render the game at a lower pixel density internally while using smart hardware algorithms to upscale the final picture back to a sharp, native layout.