Not even the most expensive PCs will stay at their best forever, and without proper care, they deteriorate even quicker. This article will serve as a guide with some tips that will help gamers get the most out of their gear.

Digital Chores
Maintenance tasks are not fun, and sometimes, they can be pretty time-consuming. Nevertheless, they are vital for a computer's performance and longevity. It does not matter if a gamer wants to run complex games or just enjoy a casual session at the PC; all anyone wants is a seamless gaming experience. Here is how to keep equipment and gear up to the challenge.

Updates
Many players forget that drivers and software need updates regularly. They optimise overall performance, fixing existing bugs and protecting against new threats. Graphic cards are usually the first thing that comes to mind, but all drives and programs are important, especially a computer's processor.

Strategy games and simulators tend to require a lot from my CPU, almost as much as they do from a GPU. It usually takes a few minutes to update everything.

Remember that some game distribution platforms also require updates - along with the titles themselves. It can be tempting to ignore those little reminders that pop up in the corner of the screen, asking you to restart the PC for an update - after all, we all just want to get stuck in - but updates are the key to ensuring that games are able to run smoothly, and avoid running into the bugs you may have experienced before.

Of course, some game formats do not need those updates - but that is not to say you cannot do anything to make performance better. Online casino sites, for instance, tend to run through the browser - although some brands do operate through applications that you download onto your desktop. The top browser-based sites (source: https://instantcasinos.com/) are optimised by the brands themselves, so no need to perform any routine maintenance - although keeping your browser updated and clearing your cache regularly is a great way to avoid any slowdown.

Even for crypto casino sites, which rely on blockchain technology - yes, it is as complex as it sounds - you do not need any fancy programmes running in the background.

Task Management
Most players want a CPU's undivided attention when playing online. Computers tend to perform poorly when they are managing too many tasks at once. That is when it is a good idea to hit Ctrl + Alt + Del to open the task management window. The Task Manager shows all the processes going on at that moment, and closing all unwanted or unneeded tasks can give the PCs performance boost. It is as simple as locating the task and simply hitting "End Task."

Turn Off Notifications
There are few things that annoy an avid gamer more than Windows notifications during the game. It feels like that old-timey Microsoft Word clip popping up out of the blue, answering questions nobody asked. Here, it is worse, though, as it ruins a perfect shot or a unique moment. Turning off Windows notifications is one way to ensure gameplay remains uninterrupted by useless notifications.

Performance Settings
Players that do not have a top-notch gaming PC, should adjust gameplay to their reality. A quick change of game settings like cubemap reflections, screen space, frame rate, volumetric resolution, etc. can improve the overall gaming experience. Games with ray tracing are fantastic, for instance, but they are not for GPU. If you do not have a powerful GPU like an Nvidia RTX, disabling this feature is highly recommended.

Power Settings
Indeed, an efficient power management system can do wonders for any gaming experience on a laptop. Now, many gamers adjust power settings to "high performance" on the control panel. This option ensures the computer will prioritise performance, which is also likely to cost more energy.

Is It Time For An Upgrade?

PC components have their lifetime and may fall behind eventually, even in the most careful hands. If a gaming computer becomes sluggish or has other issues, even when everything is "fine," it is time for an upgrade. Usually adding more RAM (if RAM slots are available) is the best first step, followed by purchasing a bigger SSD.

PC upgrades can be costly, depending on which parts we choose, but they will not be more expensive than buying a brand-new machine. However, when the time comes to replace too many parts to restore a PC to its old glory, crunching the numbers and going for a new computer is the best solution.

A To-Do List
Before starting a new gaming session, it can feel like opening a door to a whole new world - this makes sense since some games are so immersive. But remember to always go through a checklist of the PCs specs and performance to stay on top of its longevity.