Performance optimization

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Performance optimization

You will find more information on performance optimization in the Build a Custom Computer Manual.

By setting different parameters you can get a performance boost.

1) The swap file:
the system swap file should be at a minimum the size of the physical memory in your computer. At a max it should be 1.5 times the physical memory. Because of limitations of the OS you should not exceed 2 gig per swap file. If you have three gig of memory in your computer you would have to spread the swap file across two drives at 1.5 gig or three drives at 1 gig. (Note: the strike out is no longer applicable since XP Service Pack 2, when the file system was updated). You will see an immediate change in the way the system acts if you move the swap file off of the system drive. This is one of the reasons for partitioning your hard drive into more than one partition. (Some manufactures that load an operating system on their computers for the customers only create one very large partition, this is really a disadvantage to the buyer because the system is not operating at it's highest potential. One way to overcome this problem is to 'shrink' the OS partition and create a new partition, format and you are ready to optimize your OS). So how do I move the swap file?

Right click on My Computer, in the menu select properties, click on the Advanced tab, under performance click on the Settings button.

Go to the Advanced tab, go down to the change button, if you look above the button you will see the "Total paging file for all drives:" and some number, chances are it is almost or equal to the open space on your OS drive. Click on Change, you will see all of your drives listed. What you want to do is select the drive you want to move the file to, normally D:, highlight the drive you want to use, click the "custom size" radio button, in the "Initial size (MB):" type in the size of your physical memory.

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In the "Maximum size (MB):" type in the 1.5 times the physical memory unless it exceeds 2 gig, if it exceeds 2 gig then enter 2 gig and create another swap file on another drive. When you are complete reduce the size or remove the swap file from the C: drive.

Note: You can run without a swap file on the C: drive if you want, the OS will complain about not having a swap file incase of a failure: "No room on C: drive for a memory dump in case of failure". The memory dump is a file that Microsoft would use to help you fix your OS if you called support, the minimum size of a swap file on the OS partition is 400 meg, just remember that the OS will use this small swap file first so your optimization is being dragged down by the small file on C:.

2) Another way to increase your overall system performance is to remove any of the visual effects that are loaded with the OS. One way is to remove the themes background, by setting the back ground to a plain solid color you reduce the work the processor has to do to keep it pretty. It takes about 40% of the processor computing power to display all that visual distraction, it also slows down your video cards performance. So how do I set the visual effects?

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The cheapest
way to speed
up your
computer
is to
optimize
the OS.
By installing
more
memory
will really
speed it up!


How to Build a Custom PC Index
Parameters
Parts list
DIY and SAVE!
Computer Case
Hard drive and components
Processor
Cooling - Fans
Installing the Operating System
Partition hard drive
Performance optimization
Performance - Visual effects