Tweaks, Software Or Driver Updates to Improve Performance?

[tigerx82]

Hey Guys,

I recently put the system below together(first ever build) and it runs great, but I just feel like im missing some tweaks that would cause it to run even better. So I am wondering if you guys know of any tweaks, driver updates or software installs that would improve performance even more.

I am not interested in overclocking at this point but i know that might be an option down the line.

Thanks for the help.

Hardware:
CoolerMaster Wave Master Case
AMD 64 3400+ Newcastle Core
ASUS K8N-E Deluxe NForce 3 250GB
eVGA 6800GT 256MB
1 Gig Corsair Value Select 2 x 512MB
Enermax 420W PSU
Samsung 160GB SATA Hard Drive
Samsung CD & DVD Drive
Dell 2001FP 20" LCD Monitor
Logitech MX 700 DUO

Major Software/Updates Added Since XP Install:
Windows XP SP2
66.xx Nvidia Drivers

 

[Whizzy]

Disable any services that you don't use but which are started. that should help something.

 

[FreshFish]

"Guide to Free Performance" by Schadenfroh:

http://www.schadentech.com/Other/performance.htm

 

[tigerx82]

Originally posted by: FreshFish
"Guide to Free Performance" by Schadenfroh:

http://www.schadentech.com/Other/performance.htm

Wow good stuff on that link, will definately spend some time there.

Based on what i've read so far,

I might attempt to flash my motherboard BIOS
And maybe attempt to overclock my video card with coolbits(is it ok to do this without overclocking other components?)

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: tigerx82
I might attempt to flash my motherboard BIOS
And maybe attempt to overclock my video card with coolbits(is it ok to do this without overclocking other components?)

My opinion on flashing the motherboard BIOS is to check and see exactly what, if any benefits the upgrade offers. Often it's just support for newer CPUs, better memory brand compatibility, etc. I figure why take the risk (granted, a small risk if done correctly) if you aren't going to see any benefit.

As for overclocking the video card, yes, you can overclock that without overclocking anything else in the system.

Tom

 

[LesPaul]

make sure you have the latest (or the best remix) drivers for your board. The ones on the CD's are usually old and crappy.

There's quite a few OS tweaks you can do to speed up just general computer use, like how fast menus pop up, screens minimize, etc. One way to improve your OS responsivness as a whole, is to go into: My Computer properties>advanced>Performance Settings>Choose "set for best performance"> then go through and turn back on what you really like. Generally I leave everything off except mouse shadows, drop shadows on desktop icons, and show window contents while dragging. Everything else annoys me and gives the OS a slower feel. ESPECIALLY the fade effects.. those make it feel like your PC is lagging to open and close menus.. very annoying to me. Turning these off will just make people feel like your computer is alot faster because everything is instant and very snappy.

Another program to do alot of the above and more is TweakXP. You can do quite a few nice little OS tweaks with it.

I also suggest going through your services and disabling anything you don't need or at least setting them to manual. There's a very good guide to doing this, but I forgot the link/site. Its blackviper something or another.

Another thing to do is to setup your pagefile and make sure its static, don't let the OS control the size. I like to set mine to 1024 on both my harddrives.

Personally I like to use PerfectDisk 6 for my defragging utility. It has a feature that lets you defrag your MBR and MFT, things which the windows defragger doesn't do.

Use msconfig to disable anything you don't need loading up at startup.. Google will help you figure out whether or not you need a certain process if you aren't sure what it does.

I might add more later, but i'm at work and should probably get back to working

Edit: wow, shad's guide is really good and covers most of what you need.