| Optimizing Your Memory for Computer Action Games | |
| Find out if you have enough memory for today's computer action games | |
On the vast majority of computer games boxes, whether it be on the side, top, or bottom, there's some information describing the minimum technical requirements for the game. Now if you've bought your computer in the last six months, there's probably no need to pay this any notice. Your PC most assuridly has enough memory. But, on the other hand, if you're like me, playing games on a 3 year old computer, then you probably look at the requirements very closely.
As computer games become more and more advanced, the require more RAM. RAM is what makes your software run, and even though your PC may meet the minimum requirements, that does not necessarily mean that the game will be playable on your PC. Other software running on your PC are using RAM all the time. This includes the any virus program, multimedia applications, web browser, and operating system(which is usuallly guilty for using the most memory).
If you have an older PC and get a newer game and you just meet the minimum requirements here are a few tips to try and make your PC seem a little faster.
- Close any unnessary applications - This includes any multimedia software(i.e. screensavers/wallpapers), and virus software(but ONLY if you don't intend to go online while playing the game)
- Defrag your hard drive. - This can rearrange your programs so they are easier to access.
- Clean up any uneeded temporary internet files or cookies. - These take up a lot of space and can sometimes bog your system down.
After this has been done, go to your start menu, settings, control panel. From the control panel double click on "System" and chose the "Performance" tab. This screen will tell you how my memory your PC has and how much free memory you have available. I usually like to have anywhere from 65% - 70% free memory before I open up any of my games. If your playing a multiplayer game online it may be a little lower if there are any open web browsers. Once the game starts however, close out of the browser and that should free up some RAM for the game.
If after completing these steps your system still doesn't perform for a certain game, then you might want to think about buy an upgraded memory card. They're available at most electronic stores and online and a 256MB upgrade costs around $90, with smaller upgrades well under $50. For the performance enhancement you can't beat the value.
