Since we use computers everyday and we rely on them for many important tasks, we need them to operate quickly and efficiently. To increase their operating speed we need to improve them either physically (their hardware) or virtually (the software). As with other things the amount of improvements is proportionate to the amount of money invested.
The best way to improve a computer system is to upgrade some, or all, of its Hardware components. As well as the most effective, this is also the most expensive option available. Technologies are advancing with rapid rates and newer and better components are released all the time. The expectations from a computer system are very subjective and vary from person to person. There are many professions revolving around computers and each uses different system configurations. Digital Photographers, Graphics Designers and Game Artists rely mainly on the Processor and the Video Card. They also need a good Monitor. The Video card ensures smooth operation during the creation process of 2D graphics and 3D models. A fast Processor reduces the time needed to apply filters on graphics and also reduces the rendering time for 3D Scenes and animations. Workstations designed for Video Editing need a good Monitor, a fast Processor, good Memory Modules and usually several Hard Drives. Working with video files means handling large amounts of information. If the CPU and RAM specs are balanced, you will get an optimized stream of information to the processor, hence less processing time. The hard drives are essential to store the video files. Raw uncompressed videos take up insane amounts of space, but provide flawless quality. An audio editing system would require a high-end surround audio system. Game testers and Game enthusiasts may need all of the components mentioned above as well as a high-end gaming keyboard and mouse. As I said earlier user needs are different depending on the profession and the preferences.
Upgrading the software is also very important for home users and professionals. Having the latest version gives you access to new features, less bugs and more stable operation of the program. The cost of the updates depends entirely on the developer. Freeware programs have free updates. Some Shareware programs also include free updates. Mostly big software companies charge for upgrades (like Adobe and Autodesk, Microsoft).
Overclocking your hardware components is another way of improving the performance of your computer system. Keep in mind that performing it will void the hardware warranty and will also shorten the life of your components. You can overclock the CPU, RAM and GPU (Graphics Accelerator on the Video Card). Overclocking is usually done in the BIOS Settings, but windows software may also be used. Clock rates determine the speed of processing data and performing operations. They are set by adjusting Base Clock Rates and Clock Multipliers (if unlocked). The final clock speed is equal to the product of the Base Clock Rate and the Clock Multiplier. Overclocking is mostly performed by enthusiasts. Make sure that you buy better cooling systems for your components because overclocking significantly increases the operating temperatures.
You can further improve the performance by optimizing Windows settings. Open the Service Manager and browse through all the services. They usually have a short description. Make sure you disable those, which you don’t use. If you don’t understand whether they are important or not, look for a guide on google. You should also configure the programs that run on Windows startup. This can be done through the MSConfig utility (type msconfig in the search box in the start menu). The Startup tab contains a list of all the programs that are scheduled to run at startup. Deselect the ones you don’t use. Some utilities may provide you with the option to configure certain features, otherwise unavailable. For example Yamicsoft Windows 7 Manager is a utility pack designed for cleanup and optimization of your system. Configure everything according to your preferences.
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