Slow computers can be disruptive to workflows, waste your time, and create frustration, particularly when it comes to handling large files, running multiple applications, or completing creative projects.
Often, slowdowns are avoidable with the right combination of hardware, maintenance habits, and software management.
We have put together this guide to help you understand how to keep your work computer running fast all year round.
Invest in High-Performance Hardware
Strong hardware will be a massive help when it comes to creating a fast workstation.
A machine that has insufficient power, memory, or storage can bottleneck your workflow, regardless of how well you maintain it.
Professional-grade systems will definitely stand you in good stead. For example, we would recommend investing in a Dell Precision workstation from ETB Tech. These stations are designed for sustained heavy use and have options for high-core-count CPUs, ECC memory for reliability, and SSD storage for rapid file access.
Even if you’re completing standard tasks, quality hardware helps to prevent lag when running multiple applications simultaneously.
Keep Your Software and Drivers Up to Date
Outdated software can slow down your system and cause crashes.
Operating system updates, application patches, and driver updates often include optimisations that boost speed. These are important for graphics drivers, storage controllers, and peripheral devices.
As well as regular updates, the management of startup programs and background processes is key. When apps are running unnecessarily in the background, they can consume memory and CPU resources. This ultimately slows down your workflow. Utilise your system’s task manager or activity monitor so that you can review what runs automatically and disable any items that aren’t essential.
Organise and Maintain Your Storage
System performance is commonly slowed down because of cluttered storage.
Large files, outdated applications, and accumulated caches all increase the time it takes to read and write data. Often, this delays file access, software launches, and general responsiveness. With that in mind, making sure that your storage is effectively organised will be crucial if the goal is to maintain a fast and efficient workflow.
We suggest reviewing your files and identifying items that are no longer needed on a regular basis. Older projects can be archived to external drives to reduce the burden on the main drive.
It is also advisable to keep system files and software you often use on a fast main drive to help reduce bottlenecks.
Keep Your Workstation Physically Maintained
Even fast and powerful hardware can struggle to perform if the system overheats or accumulates dust. This can throttle CPU and GPU speeds, trigger unexpected shutdowns, and decrease the lifespan of the components.
Physical maintenance is both straightforward and beneficial. Keep vents, fans, and internal components free of dust. Vacuuming around your workstation is a good way of keeping dust accumulations away.
Airflow is also imperative. Keep a few inches of clearance on all sides so that air can circulate, and avoid placing it next to walls, radiators, or other heat sources. Case fans and cooling pods can help with high-performance machines.
Optimise Settings and Workflow Habits
You might have a top-tier system, but that doesn’t mean that optimised settings and smart habits won’t be of assistance.
Adjusting your computer’s power settings for maximum performance ensures that the CPU and GPU can operate at their full potential during demanding tasks.
Managing virtual memory and page files can help keep slowdowns to a minimum. Increasing allocation ensures that the system has enough resources to handle multiple large applications at the same time.
Even simply restarting your computer from time to time refreshes your memory and clears temporary files that gather during extended sessions.
Start Getting the Most out of Your Computer
By implementing our techniques, combining hardware care, software management, and smart workflow habits, your computer will operate much more efficiently.
We hope that this piece has been helpful!