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Boosting Game Performance: Optimising Your HP Gaming PC
Jamie Finch
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August 1, 2023
Some HP gaming PCs are faster than others, which is mostly because some models have more advanced components. Hardware becomes more powerful over time as our technology advances, but the software also develops, creating a type of evolutionary race as each tries to keep up with the other.
However, while advanced hardware will help make your gaming rig perform better, it’s not the only factor to consider. There are numerous steps you can take to get more from your machine, many of which require no financial outlay.
Regardless, here are some of the most effective steps you can take if you want to boost your HP PC for gaming.
Adjusting software settings
You will likely experience performance issues if you try playing games on an insufficiently powered computer. Such issues include choppy images, crashing, and the game not starting at all. If this is an issue for you then it’s probably a good idea to look at your software’s settings.
Most PC games will let you adjust the graphics settings, letting the game run on less powerful hardware. And while you might not get to enjoy the best visuals, you will still be able to enjoy the gameplay in full.
Another option is to try closing other applications you have open, while you can also try installing software that will help enhance your gaming experience. For example, the OMEN 25L (GT15-0011na) Gaming Desktop comes with the OMEN Gaming Hub, which automatically optimises your HP PC for gaming.
The OMEN Gaming Hub not only helps improve game performance but also helps you customise the lighting and other aesthetics of your rig. The hub also gives you a single place to access all your games, and it helps you coordinate with team members for the best results.
Update drivers
Drivers are software that lets different devices communicate with each other. The hardware manufacturers will occasionally release new versions of drivers that boost security, gaming PC performance and compatibility. If your drivers are not up to date, it can result in a range of issues, including not being able to play games at all.
You can see what hardware you have, and which drivers are installed if you go to your rig’s device manager in settings. From here, you can then cross-check these drivers with the hardware manufacturer’s website to see whether your drivers are up to date.
Updating drivers can be time-consuming and frustrating. However, some software will keep you updated automatically so you don’t have to cross-check your drivers with the manufacturer. Some software will even install the latest drivers for you, saving you time.
Clean your drive
Your hard drive will gradually become fuller as time goes by. A full storage drive will cause HP gaming computers to run slower, making it a good idea to clean your drive occasionally. Try deleting files and programs you don’t need and perform a disk cleanup to remove temporary files and other unnecessary junk.
Some software will also clean your registry for you, again removing junk items that can slow your machine down. However, making a mistake with the registry can cause your computer to fail, so it’s best to do so with due caution.
You should also ensure that any rig you buy has sufficient storage space to begin with so it doesn’t get full too quickly. If you want a machine with plenty of storage capacity, the Victus (TG02-0039na) Gaming Desktop could be a great choice.
This rig lets you choose between a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD) card, or 512GB SSD plus a 1TB hard disk drive (HDD) storage. The latter option lets you take advantage of SSD’s superior speed while using the slower but more affordable HDD for storage.
The OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop also lets you choose between an AMD Ryzen™ 5 or an AMD Ryzen 7 processor. Powerful graphics are provided courtesy of an NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX™ 1660 SUPER™ (6GB) GPU, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX™ 3060 Ti (8GB) or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti (8GB).
Keep your rig cool
Electrical signals pass through microchips and other components faster when they are cool, improving your gaming PC’s performance. Computers typically come with built-in cooling systems, but they can become less effective over time as dust accumulates to block vents and filters. Your cooling system may also become inadequate if you’ve upgraded your computer.
If you’re experiencing performance issues and your rig’s casing feels hot to the touch, you probably have a cooling problem. In this case, you should check the filters and fans and clear any debris so cool air can pass through easily. You might also need to clean the inside of your machine, being careful not to damage anything in the process. You may also need to consider upgrading your cooling system if your rig is still too hot after cleaning.
The best way to ensure your rig remains cool and delivers the gaming PC performance you want is to ensure your cooling system is up to the task. And if you’re concerned about overheating, the OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop (GT22-1004na) could be just what you need thanks to its effective liquid cooling system. And the cooling system will not only improve game performance but it also offers stunning aesthetics.
And the benefits of the HP 45L don’t end there because you can also choose between the Intel® Core™ i7 and Intel Core i9 CPUs. Other options include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 (16GB) or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 (24GB) and you can choose between 32GB and 64GB of random access memory (RAM).
Upgrade your components
One of the key benefits of PCs over laptops is that you can upgrade them far more easily. In most cases, it’s easy to remove old hardware and new hardware can be plugged into the motherboard in minutes. In some cases, your motherboard will already have spare capacity for new components, letting you add to what you already have.
One of the most effective and affordable PC upgrades is to install more RAM. Another effective upgrade is to use SSD storage rather than HDD storage. SSD technology provides faster data transfer rates than HDD, enhancing your machine’s performance all around.
The Victus 15L (TG02-1013na) Gaming Desktop comes with 512GB or 1TB SSD storage capacity, which is more than enough for most gamers. You can also choose between 8GB or 16GB RAM, while other options include the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER (6GB), the Intel Arc A380 (6GB), or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 (12GB).
Overclocking
CPUs and other hardware typically come with factory settings. These settings will often limit the performance of each component to act as a buffer zone so they’re not overworked. However, you can override these factory settings to achieve optimal gaming PC performance. This process is known as overclocking.
While overclocking can give your machine a significant performance boost, it’s a method that’s best left to experienced users. By limiting safety restrictions on your hardware, you risk shortening its lifespan or destroying it altogether if you get it wrong. You may also find that overclocked components are not covered by warranty.
Perform a fresh OS install
It doesn’t matter how much you focus on gaming PC optimisation, it will still gradually slow down over time as more junk accumulates. In some cases, the best option is to perform a fresh install of your operating system (OS), letting you start afresh.
Performing a fresh OS install is not difficult, although it can be time-consuming. Remember that you will need to relocate all the files you still need and thumb drives or other external drives make for temporary storage. Before you begin the process, ensure you have access to OS software and that it’s compatible with your rig.
Another reason to perform a fresh install is to upgrade your OS, although this can sometimes be done without wiping your drive. Regardless, a newer OS will likely make your machine run smoother, boosting gaming performance. An updated OS will also likely offer more features that can be useful for gamers.
Summary
Which HP PC for gaming is best for you depends on numerous factors. The two main factors are arguably your budget, and which type of games you want to play.
No matter what you want to play, games are always best enjoyed when they run smoothly and quickly. In some cases, this might mean decreasing graphic quality to still enjoy the gameplay. Optimising your PC’s settings can also help boost performance, while you should also keep your drivers up to date.
It’s also a good idea to keep your HP gaming PC clean and cool, ensuring filters and other air inlets/outlets are clear. Component upgrades will also help you enhance your computer's performance, with RAM and SSD cards two of the most popular upgrades available.
