Gaming PCs are a prized possession for all gaming enthusiasts. They are quite an expensive investment, and that's why you need to take proper care of your gaming PC. You need to start investing time, money, and effort in not only gaming but also in taking care of the device you're gaming on. Adopting certain routine care steps will ensure that your gaming PC lives a long, healthy, and smooth running life. Gaming PCs tend to slow down over time, and that can dampen your gaming experience. To avoid that from happening, you need to learn how to properly clean, maintain and protect your gaming PC. Here's a list of some crucial steps you can take to ensure that you and your gaming PC have the best possible experience.
One of the main reasons behind the slowing down of your gaming PC is the accumulation of dirt and dust particles. It not only gathers on your device but also inside it. Something as simple as gathering dust can cause severe damage and hurt your system's performance. Gaming devices typically have vents or fans pre-installed to pull in the cool air and direct out the hot air, which is necessary to avoid your device from overheating. If the dust gathers on the fan, airflow will be reduced, resulting in overheating, which can cause permanent damage to other components of your gaming PC. Since gaming PCs tend to run hot, having good airflow is extremely important to maintain the optimal temperature of your device, prolong the life of your hardware components and avoid overheating. Less dust and more airflow can make a huge difference in the performance and longevity of your gaming PC. Regularly remove dust from your laptop using a lint-free or microfiber cloth to maintain significant airflow and avoid overheating. Don't spray liquid directly on any open ports, and be gentle while cleaning delicate components; otherwise, you might cause damage to your gaming PC. Such simple steps can prove to be significant in the long run.
As a gamer, you install a lot of things from the internet which can lead to viruses infecting your device, corrupting your files and damaging the overall performance. Moreover, there's a huge risk of your personal data being leaked straight into the hands of hackers. You can't avoid going online, but you can avoid these viruses by installing anti-virus software which will protect your gaming PC against any threatening spyware or malware. Having an anti-virus software is a must. You can either get free anti-virus software from a reputable and reliable company that will offer you basic protection features, or you can get the paid version which will provide you with stronger protection and some advanced features like customised internet security. TheITDepot offers some of the most trusted antivirus online for your PC from brands like K7Computing, Kaspersky, Mcafee, and Quick Heal.
Apart from installing an anti-virus software, you also need to perform regular software updates for extra security of your PC and avoid threats from any suspicious third-party apps. Software updates are crucial for fixing bugs or glitches and getting new features that will enhance your gaming experience and ensure the smooth performance of your gaming PC.
The computer screen and keyboard are two of the most important things while gaming; if they are damaged, you can't do anything. They are also the two things that can get very easily damaged, and that's why it's critical to take proper care of them. Keep your food crumbs far away from your keyboard because they usually contain oil and moisture, which can damage the working of your keyboard by creating a conducive environment for fungi and pests to grow in, and eventually your keyboard will stop responding. Spilling liquids can cause a short circuit which can be quite dangerous, and your gaming PC will be absolutely destroyed. To avoid that from happening, protect your keyboard with a silicone keyboard protector. To get a visually immersive experience, you need to keep your device's screen clean and install a screen protector. This will prevent any smudges or scratches caused over time due to general wear and tear. This step will truly elevate your gaming PC and experience.
A cluttered desktop screen or hard drive will not only diminish your gaming experience but also slow down your computer by hoarding all the storage. Therefore, it's essential to purge your gaming PC from all the unused apps and obsolete data. Cleaning and organising your desktop by getting rid of any digital junk can greatly improve the overall speed and performance of your gaming PC.
The reason your gaming PC is not working as smoothly as it did before is because it is in a dire need of an upgrade. Over time computer components go through a lot of wear and tear, heat damage, power surge, water damage or they've just simply reached their age limit and have become really old to even work properly anymore. So if you want your gaming PC to run smoothly and efficiently, you should consider replacing these outdated pieces with new ones.
Unorganised cables not only make your device look untidy but also disrupt the working and performance of your gaming PC. Messy cabling will negatively affect your device by hindering the air circulation resulting in overheating. They will not only make it harder for you to clean your device or determine which wire goes where but they also have a huge risk of catching fire. Consider purchasing cable ties and cable organisers like GoFree 5 channel cable manager to prevent that from happening.
External storage devices are expensive but necessary for gaming; thus, it's important to take good care of them. Whenever you perform an activity like gaming or even simply browsing the internet, some bits and pieces of information remain in your computer even after closing, like browser cookies, one-time download software for gaming, duplicated files etc. They take up a lot of space on your storage devices and slow down your computer. Doing a simple "disk cleanup" will help you get rid of this problem. You should also frequently scan and clean your hard disk for better performance and more storage.
If you want to travel with your gaming PC, then make sure to store it in a padded case to protect your laptop from scratches, dents, dust, water or other types of external damage. You should definitely consider investing in these cases because it's always better to be safe than sorry. These cases are quite affordable and have a wide variety to accommodate all different types and sizes of gaming PCs.
This is the easiest step you can take to ensure smooth and efficient working of your gaming PC. Switch it off once in a while or put it in sleep mode when not in use to give your device some time to cool down. This will help in increasing your gaming PC's lifespan, enhancing its performance, increasing productivity and protecting it from power surges. Start doing this, and you'll notice a difference immediately.
The answer varies depending on how often and how well you use your gaming PC. But typically, deep cleaning should be done at least twice a year, and dusting should be done weekly. If you notice your device slowing down, frequently overheating or not working as smoothly as it did before then, it's a sign that your gaming PC needs maintenance.
Accumulation of dust on computer components, especially fans will block the vents that let cool air in and direct cool air out. This will cause your device to overheat due to insufficient airflow, resulting in your gaming PC's poor and inefficient performance.
Yes, it is better to shut down your gaming PC once in a while or put it in sleep mode when not in use. This will give your computer some downtime to cool down, and as a result, it will work more efficiently.
You can use a can of compressed air to clean your PC, but it's important to be extremely careful with it; otherwise, you might damage some parts of your device.
You shouldn't use a hairdryer to clean your PC; instead, use a can of compressed air or lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth.
