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Optimizing Your PC - Improving speed, performance, & reliability
Walden95
Posts: 3,089 Member
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Welcome to the Optimizing your PC thread. Now before I begin, I must inform you that this is a PC only thread. Why? Macs are not my specialty. I must also inform you that this is not a thread on how your computer works, but a thread which gives advice for a better preforming PC. Please read everything before you preform anything suggested as there are some things you should know beforehand.
- Update in progress!
Computer optimization section will be expanded. (Delayed until further notice)
● Short Guide
Categories
1 - Computer Cleanup
2 - AntiVirus
● Helpful links
Categories
1 - General
0
Comments
When computers are used, they fill up with useless data, spyware, malware, and a bunch of other goodies which slow down your computer. Whether these things on your PC are harmful or harmless, they take up valuable space and or processing power for little reason at all. A few recommendations on what you can do on cheep to better improve your PC today.
Categories
1 - Computer Cleanup
---- Introduction
---- Basic information
---- Great Add-ons
2 - AntiVirus
---- Introduction
---- 1: avast
---- 2: AVG Free AntiVirus
---- 3: Microsoft Security Essentials
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1 - Computer Cleanup
► Introduction
In the past I've used quite a few cleanup and programs to maintain windows. One of the best free solutions I recommend for anyone to use is Advanced System Care. It's an easy to use program that almost anyone can use. For a free program, it gets the job done fairly well. Although, there are better programs out there, I recommend Advanced Steamy Care as the leading free program. It's fast, easy to use, and most importantly of all get's the job done with little to no issues at all.
► Basic information
The program is split into three main menus: Maintain Windows, Diagnose System and Utilities.
● Maintain Windows
Spyware removal - Removes adware and spyware
Registry fix - Improves PC Performance (just about everything uses the Registry)
Privacy sweep - Deletes activity history, surfing traces, etc.
Junk Files Clean - Deletes Unnecessary Windows Temporary Files,etc.
● Diagnose System
System Optimization - Example: Unnecessary running process or inefficient settings
Security Defense - Optimizes security to prevent future virus infections
Disk Defragment - Rearranges your hard drive to reduce the load on your processor
Security Analyzer - Discovers hijacked settings
● Utilities
Utilities is where you access add-ons for the Advanced System Care utility program. Utilities is divided up into three tabs: Tuneup, Security, and Admin Tools. I do not recommend using the Admin Tools tab if you are not an advanced PC user as this may cause issues if not used properly. Also, I don't recommend the IOBit Security application, there are better programs out there.
● Website
● Download
► Great Add-ons
All add-ons can be downloaded by clicking on the icon in the utilities section of Advanced System Care.
● Smart Defrag
Smart Defrag is a Simple Program that rearranges files on your hard drive into a more efficient format. When a hard drive is fragmented, information is inefficiently spaced apart. As files are created and deleted on your computer, information is separated or spaced thought the hard drive. Because files are further apart, your processor takes longer to retrieve files. When a hard drive is defragemented, your computer can efficiently process information which leads to shorter loading times or loading screens in the Sims 3. Defragmenting can be a long process depending on your computer's specs. I recommend running the program overnight.
● Game Booster
Game Booster is a program which temporary shuts down unnecessary background programs and services freeing RAM and processing power which translates into reduced lag and higher settings for games. Be sure to turn off gaming mode, because services such as connections to your printer and windows search will not function as they are turned off by this program. Be sure to open up Game Booster when you are finished and switch back to normal mode because of this.
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2 - AntiVirus
► Introduction
If you ever used a computer before, you've probably already realized that it clogs up fairly fast if you are not properly protected. Seeing that paying for antivirus was a little troublesome, I've gone through quite a few free programs to see which ones work the best. Now this isn't going to be a review on all of the programs I've used, but instead will be a brief selection with deceptions attached. If you already have an antivirus program installed whether free or not, it's not recommended to have two or more at once; more than one antivirus programs usually end up taking away each others ability's to protect your computer. Also, as this whole guide is just one massive word of advice; you should read up on all the choices out there, and seek advice from your local geek.
► 1: avast
Avast is my top pick as it's very user friendly while giving enough control for more advanced users to synchronize the tool to fit perfectly with their computer's specs. Avast's features include...
- User friendly while giving options for more advanced users
- It's a complete tool meaning that it protects you from the internet, email, your personal files, and even from your instant messages!
- It's an all-access program which means that it can completely replace antivirus from companies such as Norton or McAfee which charge for access to service and updates.
- Contently scanning incoming, outgoing, and even local documents stored on your computer when opened.
- Includes a silent mode to hide alerts during gaming and other full-screen activities
- Includes a heuristics engine which detects previously unknown threats
- Updates automatically
● Website
● Download
► 2: AVG Free AntiVirus
I've been using AVG for quite a long time and will say that it gives you everything you'd expect if you were to pay for a program. Like avast, AVG's interface is very simple and easy to use. However, it doesn't give you the same amount of tweaking capability or a game mode. Features include...
- User Friendly
- It's an all-access program which means that it can completely replace antivirus from companies such as Norton or McAfee which charge for access to service and updates.
- Includes fully functional antivirus and antispyware engines
- Includes email scanner
- Updates automatically
● Website
● Download
► 3: Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Security Essentials is third on the list mainly because it's the easiest to use out of the three through my experiences. Also, as you may have expected, Microsoft Security Essentials is made by Microsoft: the company that makes the Windows Operating System (Ex: Windows, XP, Vista, and 7). Also, it does not include a gaming mode so be interrupted when gaming is a possibility. Features include...
- User friendly
- It's an all-access program which means that it can completely replace antivirus from companies such as Norton or McAfee which charge for access to service and updates.
- Includes fully functional engines guarding against viruses and most kinds of malware.
- Updates automatically
● Website
● Download
This area includes a few extras from other helpful people of the Simming community who were thoughtful of others in sharing some useful advice.
KEY
[OS] - Off site (Not on thesims3.com)
Categories
1 - General
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1 - General
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This guide is aimed at optimizing game performance & to inform you on the dangers of running The Sims 3 without forcing Vertical Sync on.
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The Walden95 Post Directory offers a wide selection of very helpful to usually creative selection of posts all bound up in neat and organized directory.
● Are you Overheating? [A guide] - By Lozzykinz
Unsure if your graphics card is overheating? Here is a guide on how to find out if it is.
(Reserved for thread expansion)
Hope you have tips for us with OLD computers... mine meets only the minimum requirements...so im playing with all settings on low.
You put a lot of time and effort into this, a lot of people (including I) will benefit from this thread
I noticed that a fresh Game – in a fresh town, has no lags whatsoever. But when I load an old save, that did have the lag, the lag is recreated! This is a coding issue. EA should provide some sort of Save-clean-up tool to iron out the cause of the lag. It’s not a direct Game fault, since its fine on a new World….it’s the way files are saved.
I understand, and I do agree with that for many portions of the game. However, this was not a thread intended to point that out. Instead, this is just a thread on optimizing your PC for best gameplay experience and overall PC performance. It's just meant for making the best of what we have; it could be better from what you mentioned, but we got to deal with what we got.
None of the programs I listed are spyware and are only meant to help you and your computer so no, it isn't. However, don't freak out if it asks you to buy the full program after a scan or has an ad to the side; the companies who make these programs aren't giving software out for nothing. These programs are more like powerful demos to get you to buy their full product. Again, it's just a small ad which only shows when you complete a scan and such. Just for the heads up. :P
And kevintwohig99, I'll have to look into that. I've used AVG before, but it's no longer my current antivirus. Thanks for bringing that up.
Use ccleaner instead to clean out your registry instead