If you haven’t looked at the cost of RAM recently, then don’t. They haven’t changed in any positive way since the RAMpocalypse began, and if anything, it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets any better. That makes almost any upgrade untenable, whether it’s buying a new laptop or upgrading your existing desktop PC.
There is another way, and that’s the wonderful world of software optimization. A few tweaks here and there can add a little extra performance to your tech, preserve it for a little longer, and hopefully last you long enough to get to the other end of the RAMpocalypse when prices finally drop. It’s not quite as potent as doubling your RAM or buying an extra storage drive, but they can definitely make a difference.
The best part is that these tweaks are free, so it won’t cost you anything to use them, and depending on your setup, you might be looking at some decent performance gains.
Disable apps at startup
This first tweak is pretty common practice and that’s disabling startup apps that you don’t need. It helps performance in two notable ways. First, it makes your boot times faster since the PC is starting fewer apps right when it turns on. The other way is by helping performance while you use the PC, since fewer apps are running in the background, freeing up system resources. This is free, quick, and reversible in case something goes wrong.
Windows users can learn how to do it here, while Mac users can also do this with this method.
Free up storage space
Brand new SSDs are right up there with RAM in terms of price, and so a nearly full SSD can be quite a problem. Instead of buying more hardware, take some time to clean out the old junk to see if you can get some of your storage back for free.
There are many methods to do this, including built-in Disk Cleanup tools on Windows and Mac. Uninstalling apps on a smartphone to free up space is also pretty easy. Specialized apps like WinDirStat can also help you find and remove large files, freeing up more space, and if you have external storage, you can offload files there to save even more.
Uninstalling stuff you don’t use
Uninstalling stuff has a dual benefit. Apps and especially modern games take up tons of space, and removing apps and games you don’t play can help free up valuable storage. Additionally, many old apps still run in the background, so uninstalling them claws back some system resources as well. The effectiveness of this one depends entirely on how much junk you have on your computer.
This works for Windows, Mac, smartphones, and tablets, since apps are ubiquitous. The only thing to note is that Windows has two methods to uninstall apps, including the Apps section of the Settings menu and the Control Panel. You’ll want to check both places since they don’t house the same list of apps on your computer.
Adjust your power settings
Your power settings can have a pretty decent impact on performance. Most computers — at least laptops — are defaulted to a setting that balances power consumption and battery life. This means most PC laptops and MacBooks are running at a decent clip, but they can do better. This minor adjustment is pretty easy to do, but be forewarned that a higher performance setting will reduce battery life.
Windows users can edit their Power Options to change this, and on Macs, it’s called Power Modes. Some smartphones and tablets also have options like a gaming mode that helps goose performance, but you’ll have to check for your specific smartphone.
Keep your tech cool
When any piece of tech gets hot, it lowers performance because the CPU or GPU throttles itself to stay within reasonable temperatures. Thus, if you keep your computer or phone cooler, it can run harder for longer. This is tougher to do with smartphones, but for PCs and laptops, it mostly involves making sure your computer is clean and gets enough air.
Some canned air can work wonders here, as dust buildup can impede fan operation and make your computer hotter. Laptop coolers and even reapplying your thermal paste can help lower PC temps, which can have a remarkable impact on your performance.