If you want to get the best of your gaming PC, the best thing to do is to ensure that it is properly maintained. This will not only keep it on its top performance but will also lengthen its lifespan. Here is a guide on how to maintain your gaming PC.
Tips on How to Maintain and Take Care of Your Gaming PC
- Make it a habit to run regular antivirus scans.
- Organize all the cords and cables.
- Continually update your operating system.
- Delete any junk files or unused programs.
- Update passwords regularly.
- Always backup your data.
- Use a surge protector.
1 – Make it a habit to run regular antivirus scans.
Malware attacks can happen at any time. And if ever it does, it is beneficial to have a good antivirus installed on your gaming PC. This will make sure that your unit is protected against the damage viruses can do to your unit. It will also help schedule a weekly antivirus scan to make sure that your computer is always clear of malicious software infections.
For those frequently browsing websites and downloading programs, we recommend that you run the virus scan twice a week.
And for one thing, malware infections can significantly affect the performance of your gaming PC. It can slow down your web browser speeds, cause your system to freeze or crash, alter your computer settings, and disrupt network connections. More importantly, malware infections can allow unauthorized access and expose confidential information to third-party cybercriminals.
2 – Organize all the cords and cables.
Keep your cords and cables all organized. It is frustrating to deal with mixed-up and tangled cables. And since it’s impossible to nix all the wires, you should take some time to declutter and organize these wires. Below are some tips you can use:
- Get a rotating power strip. Traditional power strips only have a single line or panel of surge inputs. But rotating power strips can allow you to position and plug your chargers, monitors, or docks however you like.
- Get color-coding cables. PC cables usually come in two colors: black and white. But buying colored wires can help you organize the mess of cables. If not, you can instead use labels with different hues to help you determine which lines work for you.
- Buy cable clips for wire management. You can attach these cable clips to your desk, wall, or floor to keep your wires in place. Although these cable clips may seem small, they are designed to hold cables of different sizes.
3 – Continually update your operating system.
One of the ways to ensure that your gaming PC is appropriately maintained is by keeping your operating system updated. Regardless of your operating system, updating it can fix many problems. New patches and updates will ensure that your gaming PC stays on top of its performance.
Always remember that updating your operating system and other drivers will keep your PC performance-optimized. So if your OS software suggests that you need to update, then do it. Just remember, though, that some updates take longer than others. For those updates, you might want to set the update before your bedtime or during daytime breaks so it won’t interrupt your workflow.
4 – Delete any junk files or unused programs.
Any useless programs or old junk files can take up more space in your gaming PC than you realize. This junk program includes old versions of software or unopened programs. Whether your PC is a year old or three-years older, it is sure to have its fair share of digital junks. And such programs and files can turn into performance hugs which will accumulate if you don’t uninstall them.
So before your gaming PC’s performance starts to slow down because of all the junk programs hogging your storage space, then begin cleaning your system. Follow these tips below:
- Run the disk cleanup software.
- Empty your recycle bin.
- Delete any temporary files.
- Uninstall any trial software.
- Remove the cache of your offline web pages.
5 – Update passwords regularly.
In 2017, Verizon Data Breach Investigations reported that an alarming 81% of hacking-related breaches were caused by stolen passwords. Stolen passwords are usually caused by poor password behavior. This includes using the same password for every account you have or using simple and easy-to-guess passwords like “123456.”
Remember that no security system is perfect, so you need to know how to take care of your accounts. Update and change your passwords every month. Here are some tips to generate a strong password:
- Use at least 10 characters.
- The password should have uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Include numbers and special symbols in your password.
Remember that using a strong password acts as a safeguard to all of your data. This is why updating your password is part of your computer maintenance.
6 – Always backup your data.
No matter how advanced your gaming PC is built, it will experience a glitch or a random hardware failure one day. So always backup your data. Your gaming PC may be replaceable, but the data stored in it is not. So it is vital to always keep all of your data fully backed up.
Full backups can be done on external hard drives or on the cloud. Make duplicate copies of all of the valuable data on your PC.
7 – Use a surge protector.
Surge protectors can be used to protect your gaming PC from any voltage spikes. They are designed to limit the voltage supply by blocking or shorting the power exceeding the safe threshold. This is why it is a safe practice for your gaming PC to be plugged into a power supply. When debating if it’s important, remember that even just one power surge can pry your gaming PC while it is plugged in.