When your PC starts slowing down, hanging when performing everyday tasks or displaying distorted images, it’s logical to conclude that you may need to upgrade its memory, processor or graphics card. Although replacing a failing component is cheaper than buying a new PC, it’s still an expensive and confusing task.
First you need to ensure that any new kit you install is compatible with your existing hardware. This involves carefully inspecting specifications and shopping around for the best deal – expect to pay between £50 and £80 for an extra 8GB of RAM, from £100 for a new processor and at least that amount for a decent graphics card. You then need to go through the hassle of removing your PC’s case and fiddling with its insides – which may not even be possible with a laptop. Although some upgrades are straightforward – for example, memory modules can usually be slotted right in – others, such as replacing a CPU or motherboard, are more delicate and risk damaging rather than enhancing your computer.
Thankfully, you can fix many problems with your system without resorting to pricey and tricky physical upgrades. By tweaking default settings, unlocking hidden options and installing powerful third-party tools, you can effectively upgrade your PC for free. And while the hacks we suggest aren’t a direct substitute for installing new components, they can make your old hardware run as good as new.
FREE UP SYSTEM MEMORY
Reclaim memory from background processes
Windows is supposed to manage memory usage on your PC automatically, by switching to virtual memory when you run out of physical RAM, and by freeing up memory from inactive programs. But if you open Task Manager (by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look at the Memory column, you’ll see there are plenty of processes currently using RAM in the background. Some of these are likely to be tools you recently closed, never opened or don’t even recognise, but which are cumulatively consuming a significant amount of available memory.
Rather than let your PC slip into slower virtual memory, you can reclaim RAM using Wise Memory Optimizer (www.snipca.com/43238). This free program displays a pie chart showing you how much memory is in use and how much is available. Click its Optimize button (1 in our screenshot above right) – or right-click its taskbar icon and choose Optimize – to free up as much RAM as possible from background processes.
You can also optimise memory automatically by clicking the Settings cog and ticking Auto Optimization 2. Decide whether to release RAM when available memory falls below a certain threshold or to do so at regular intervals, and set the tool to run when Windows starts to prevent freezes and crashes.
Wise Memory Optimizer reduced our PC’s memory usage from 95 per cent to 48 per cent , though this gradually crept back up to
