5 essential settings to change on your gaming PC to prevent overheating
Summer is upon us, and for gamers living anywhere hot it means one thing: keeping your PC cool so it doesn't impact performance, or worse, completely melt.
PCs are getting stronger across the board, with RTX 50-series gaming PCs and some of the best laptops equipped with the latest Intel and Snapdragon chips working hard to things cool under the hood thanks to more efficient power management.
That doesn't stop a PC from catching on fire, though (true story!) For those that live in a sweltering environment and have limited ways to keep their computer from overheating, especially during heavy workloads or those graphically intense PC games, there are ways to keep temperatures low by changing some settings.
Keep these essential tips in mind to stop your PC from overheating.
But first, how do PCs overheat in the first place? Whether it be your desktop, laptop or gaming handheld, here are some factors that can take part in the rise in temperature.
We've outlined plenty of ways to give your old PC a refresh and tips to stop your gaming PC from catching fire, but you can also keep temperatures cool by changing a few essential settings in Windows.
Many gaming PCs come with their own software that can easily change the power mode from a setting like "high performance" to "balanced" or "power saver," like in Asus' ROG Armoury Crate or Acer's NitroSense.
While it can impact the performance of the games you play, titles (or productivity apps) that don't require many resources won't need a PC to be in its prime. Better yet, you can simply change power plans by heading into Windows settings.
Open the Control Panel (search for it in the Taskbar), navigate to Hardware and Sound and click on Power Options. From here, you can switch power plans. "Balanced" will further reduce power consumption, and therefore heat, but for the best cooling, you'll want to click "Power saver."
There are some apps that slyly run in the background without you ever noticing, and this can put a lot of pressure on your PC if you add more active apps to the equation. That's why you'll want to get rid of the ones you definitely don't need running.
Open the Settings app ("Windows key + i" or from the start menu), click Apps in the left-hand sidebar and open Installed apps.
You'll now see all the apps on your PC. Select an app you want to stop running in the background, and click the the "three dots" icon and click "Advanced options." Under "Background app permissions," click on the dropdown menu and select "Never."
Did you know that many Windows apps use visual effects? They can be subtle, but unnecessary if you don't even notice them, and they can take a toll on your PC's graphics card. Don't need them? Turn them off.
Search for "Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows" in the taskbar. Click on the option and a Control panel window will appear. In the "Visual Effects" tab, click the "Adjust for best performance" option.
This will turn off all effects, but you can pick and choose which options you want to keep on if you still like a little style when navigating around your Windows 11 PC. After this, click "Apply."
If your GPU outperforms your CPU and can manage handling its own tasks, you'll want to turn on "Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling." This will effectively let your graphics card manage its own VRAM (video memory), taking a load off the PC's CPU — making your computers internals run a tad cooler.
To do this, open Settings and then select System > Display > Graphics. Once there, click on "Advanced graphics settings." Then, switch the toggle next to "Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling" to on, then restart your PC.
I know, everyone wants their gaming PC to pump out the highest frame rates possible, but this can also take a lot out of a GPU, and for some titles, you'll get a buttery smooth as it can get without any visible change at lower frame rates.
You can configure the max frame rate in many optimized PC games, but you can also do it in Nvidia and AMD's settings.
For an Nvidia-equipped desktop or laptop, open the Nvidia Control Panel. Go to Manage "3D settings" in the left-hand sidebar, and under Global Settings, select "Max Frame Rate." Now, you can set the maximum frame rate of all the games you play.
The same applies for an AMD-powered PC. Open the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition app, click on the Gaming tab, then "Global Graphics." Enable "Radeon Chill," the select your prefered minimum and maximum FPS range.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller
Beaverton, Oregon-based semiconductor startup AheadComputing, founded by four former Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) central processing unit architects, announced in February that it secured $21.5 million in seed funding to develop a new class of high-performance processors based on the RISC-V architecture. The seed funding round was led by Eclipse Ventures, with participation from Maverick Capital, Fundomo, and EPIQ Capital. The company also added Jim Keller to its board of directors. Keller is widely regarded as one of the foremost chip designers in the world, having held engineering leadership roles at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), Intel, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), The Oregonian reports. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can The company, established in 2024, is aiming to design a scalable and power-efficient CPU that challenges x86 dominance in the data center and artificial intelligence sectors, The Oregonian says. Led by CEO Debbie Marr, AheadComputing intends to deliver what it calls the 'biggest, baddest CPU in the world.' RISC-V, a royalty-free, open instruction set architecture, is emerging as a credible alternative to proprietary platforms such as Intel's x86 and ARM's licensed designs. According to The Oregonian, the architecture enables companies to create customized processors without licensing restrictions or vendor lock-in. AheadComputing's team has grown to 80 employees, many of whom previously held senior roles at Intel. The company is targeting high-performance workloads in cloud infrastructure, AI inference, and edge computing applications. Its design leverages the modular 'chiplet' model, allowing for flexible system-on-chip configurations tailored to specific customer needs, The Oregonian reports. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Co-founder Jonathan Pearce told The Oregonian that the fragmentation of computing systems presents an opportunity for specialized vendors to offer optimized components within larger heterogeneous systems. 'You get the opportunity for a company like AheadComputing to provide that piece of the overall system. As opposed to the past 20 years where it was just one tech giant,' Pearce said. AheadComputing operates as a fabless semiconductor company, outsourcing chip fabrication to partners such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. This capital-efficient model allows the firm to focus resources on architectural innovation and design execution, The Oregonian reports. Intel's long-standing position as Oregon's largest private employer is undergoing transition, with multiple senior engineers departing to build independent ventures. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing represents one of the most ambitious spinouts, combining advanced design experience with startup agility. Vice president of AheadComputing's design verification Alon Mahl said the hands-on startup environment allows engineering leaders to accelerate timelines and make immediate decisions without layers of corporate oversight. The Oregonian says that the team is already seeking larger office space in Washington County to accommodate growth and additional equipment to The Oregonian, AheadComputing joins a small group of Oregon-based chip startups led by Intel alumni, including Ampere Computing, which was recently acquired by SoftBank for $6.5 billion while retaining its Portland office footprint. Portland State University professor Christof Teuscher, an expert in microprocessor architecture, said the startup is taking a high-risk, high-reward approach. While RISC-V has traditionally been used in academic and embedded contexts, The Oregonian says that Teuscher expressed skepticism about its ability to succeed in high-performance commercial environments. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing envisions its chips will eventually power PCs, laptops, and data centers, with possible clients including Google, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Samsung. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller
Beaverton, Oregon-based semiconductor startup AheadComputing, founded by four former Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) central processing unit architects, announced in February that it secured $21.5 million in seed funding to develop a new class of high-performance processors based on the RISC-V architecture. The seed funding round was led by Eclipse Ventures, with participation from Maverick Capital, Fundomo, and EPIQ Capital. The company also added Jim Keller to its board of directors. Keller is widely regarded as one of the foremost chip designers in the world, having held engineering leadership roles at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), Intel, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), The Oregonian reports. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can The company, established in 2024, is aiming to design a scalable and power-efficient CPU that challenges x86 dominance in the data center and artificial intelligence sectors, The Oregonian says. Led by CEO Debbie Marr, AheadComputing intends to deliver what it calls the 'biggest, baddest CPU in the world.' RISC-V, a royalty-free, open instruction set architecture, is emerging as a credible alternative to proprietary platforms such as Intel's x86 and ARM's licensed designs. According to The Oregonian, the architecture enables companies to create customized processors without licensing restrictions or vendor lock-in. AheadComputing's team has grown to 80 employees, many of whom previously held senior roles at Intel. The company is targeting high-performance workloads in cloud infrastructure, AI inference, and edge computing applications. Its design leverages the modular 'chiplet' model, allowing for flexible system-on-chip configurations tailored to specific customer needs, The Oregonian reports. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Co-founder Jonathan Pearce told The Oregonian that the fragmentation of computing systems presents an opportunity for specialized vendors to offer optimized components within larger heterogeneous systems. 'You get the opportunity for a company like AheadComputing to provide that piece of the overall system. As opposed to the past 20 years where it was just one tech giant,' Pearce said. AheadComputing operates as a fabless semiconductor company, outsourcing chip fabrication to partners such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. This capital-efficient model allows the firm to focus resources on architectural innovation and design execution, The Oregonian reports. Intel's long-standing position as Oregon's largest private employer is undergoing transition, with multiple senior engineers departing to build independent ventures. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing represents one of the most ambitious spinouts, combining advanced design experience with startup agility. Vice president of AheadComputing's design verification Alon Mahl said the hands-on startup environment allows engineering leaders to accelerate timelines and make immediate decisions without layers of corporate oversight. The Oregonian says that the team is already seeking larger office space in Washington County to accommodate growth and additional equipment to The Oregonian, AheadComputing joins a small group of Oregon-based chip startups led by Intel alumni, including Ampere Computing, which was recently acquired by SoftBank for $6.5 billion while retaining its Portland office footprint. Portland State University professor Christof Teuscher, an expert in microprocessor architecture, said the startup is taking a high-risk, high-reward approach. While RISC-V has traditionally been used in academic and embedded contexts, The Oregonian says that Teuscher expressed skepticism about its ability to succeed in high-performance commercial environments. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing envisions its chips will eventually power PCs, laptops, and data centers, with possible clients including Google, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Samsung. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller
Beaverton, Oregon-based semiconductor startup AheadComputing, founded by four former Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) central processing unit architects, announced in February that it secured $21.5 million in seed funding to develop a new class of high-performance processors based on the RISC-V architecture. The seed funding round was led by Eclipse Ventures, with participation from Maverick Capital, Fundomo, and EPIQ Capital. The company also added Jim Keller to its board of directors. Keller is widely regarded as one of the foremost chip designers in the world, having held engineering leadership roles at Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), Intel, and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), The Oregonian reports. Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — Peter Thiel turned $1,700 into $5 billion—now accredited investors are eyeing this software company with similar breakout potential. Learn how you can The company, established in 2024, is aiming to design a scalable and power-efficient CPU that challenges x86 dominance in the data center and artificial intelligence sectors, The Oregonian says. Led by CEO Debbie Marr, AheadComputing intends to deliver what it calls the 'biggest, baddest CPU in the world.' RISC-V, a royalty-free, open instruction set architecture, is emerging as a credible alternative to proprietary platforms such as Intel's x86 and ARM's licensed designs. According to The Oregonian, the architecture enables companies to create customized processors without licensing restrictions or vendor lock-in. AheadComputing's team has grown to 80 employees, many of whom previously held senior roles at Intel. The company is targeting high-performance workloads in cloud infrastructure, AI inference, and edge computing applications. Its design leverages the modular 'chiplet' model, allowing for flexible system-on-chip configurations tailored to specific customer needs, The Oregonian reports. Trending: Invest where it hurts — and help millions heal:. Co-founder Jonathan Pearce told The Oregonian that the fragmentation of computing systems presents an opportunity for specialized vendors to offer optimized components within larger heterogeneous systems. 'You get the opportunity for a company like AheadComputing to provide that piece of the overall system. As opposed to the past 20 years where it was just one tech giant,' Pearce said. AheadComputing operates as a fabless semiconductor company, outsourcing chip fabrication to partners such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. This capital-efficient model allows the firm to focus resources on architectural innovation and design execution, The Oregonian reports. Intel's long-standing position as Oregon's largest private employer is undergoing transition, with multiple senior engineers departing to build independent ventures. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing represents one of the most ambitious spinouts, combining advanced design experience with startup agility. Vice president of AheadComputing's design verification Alon Mahl said the hands-on startup environment allows engineering leaders to accelerate timelines and make immediate decisions without layers of corporate oversight. The Oregonian says that the team is already seeking larger office space in Washington County to accommodate growth and additional equipment to The Oregonian, AheadComputing joins a small group of Oregon-based chip startups led by Intel alumni, including Ampere Computing, which was recently acquired by SoftBank for $6.5 billion while retaining its Portland office footprint. Portland State University professor Christof Teuscher, an expert in microprocessor architecture, said the startup is taking a high-risk, high-reward approach. While RISC-V has traditionally been used in academic and embedded contexts, The Oregonian says that Teuscher expressed skepticism about its ability to succeed in high-performance commercial environments. According to The Oregonian, AheadComputing envisions its chips will eventually power PCs, laptops, and data centers, with possible clients including Google, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), and Samsung. Read Next: Here's what Americans think you need to be considered wealthy. Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Many are rushing to Image: Shutterstock UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Intel Veterans Raise $22M To Disrupt The Semiconductor Industry With The 'Baddest CPU In The World,' Backed By Apple And AMD Alum Jim Keller originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
