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Slow Computer Performance: Graphics and Networking

Posted by paul on December 29th, 2009

Slow Computer Performance: Graphics and Networking

I’ve said it before but there are many different causes for slow computer performance. If you use your computer for graphics-intensive activities like playing computer games, or network-intensive activities like surfing the Internet, your computer may take a noticeable hit on performance.

Graphics Can Slow Even The Fastest Computers

Graphics processing is notoriously hard on processors. All modern video cards have their own graphics processors and memory to help ease the burden on the central processing unit. These graphics processors also make modern game-play possible. The great 3-D graphics you see on today’s computer games wouldn’t be possible without a good graphics processor. Often, game you purchase in the store or online will have specific graphics requirements. Games won’t work without them or won’t work well enough to make game-play fun.

If your graphics processor is stretched to the limits, you may find that your computer performance is suffering as a result. This may be especially true if your computer is older and you’re trying to play the latest multi-player games on it. You may also notice extreme delays when you’re connected to a game server somewhere on the Internet.

Check your graphics card’s capabilities carefully and make sure you’re not asking the graphics processor to do more than it’s able to. If your graphics processor is good, see if you can upgrade the graphics memory. Make sure you have the right kind of memory installed in your graphics processor. Without the right kind of card or the right kind of memory, your performance is likely to be less than optimal.

You’ll also want to make sure that your computer’s network connection is solid. A bad network interface card can cause trouble, not just for you but also for other devices on the network. If your computer is at home and you connect to the network through a high-speed network service provider, consult with your provider to help you determine whether your network card is working properly. Your provider may show you how to conduct speed tests to verify that it can download and upload information properly.

The provider may also want you to verify the operation of any firewalls you may be running. Firewalls can block or slow traffic and cause a very slow performance response on your computer. On some Windows computers, a firewall is automatically enabled. I don’t recommend disabling the firewall but I do recommend learning how firewalls work and how you can safely permit desired traffic to pass through the firewall unimpeded.

Photo Credit: Alan_D, via Flickr