Why Does My Purchased PC Suddenly Start Lagging After 10 Minutes of Playing?
This issue can arise from a variety of causes, and here's how to diagnose and resolve it. The first thing you should check is the performance of your PC's cooling system. If your fans are not moving or are moving too slowly, it could be the reason for the lag. However, if the cooling system is functioning well, you might need to investigate other potential causes.
Monitoring Your PC's Thermals and Airflow
Overheating is a common cause of lag in PCs, especially during gaming sessions. When your components work harder, they generate more heat. If your PC's cooling system isn't efficient, the components might overheat and throttle back performance to avoid damage. To check if your PC is overheating, you can use software like HWMonitor. This tool will monitor your CPU and GPU temperatures in real-time while you play your games.
Checking for Background Processes and Resource Limitations
Even when you close a program, it may still leave background processes running. These processes can consume resources and interfere with your game's performance, especially after 10 minutes when multiple processes accumulate. Additionally, games can be resource-intensive, and if your PC doesn't meet the recommended specifications, it might struggle after a while, leading to lag.
Software Issues and Upgrades
Software problems such as outdated drivers, corrupted game files, or even malware can also cause lag in games. These issues can be addressed by updating your drivers to the latest version. Visit your graphics card manufacturer's website (NVIDIA or AMD) to download the latest drivers.
Additional Quick Solutions
Ensure proper airflow: Clean dust buildup from your PC's vents and fans with compressed air. Place your computer in a well-ventilated area and remove any objects that might block the airflow. Consider using a cooling pad for additional airflow. Close background processes: Before launching your game, close any unnecessary programs running in the background. You can also use a tool like Razer Cortex to optimize your system for gaming. Verify game files: Most game launchers have a function to verify the integrity of game files. This checks for corrupted files and automatically redownloads them if necessary. Scan for malware: Run a scan with your antivirus software to rule out any malware that might be affecting your system performance.Improving Gaming Performance
If the above steps don't resolve the lag, you might need to consider lowering game settings or upgrading your PC. Reducing graphical settings in-game can help improve performance if your PC doesn't meet the recommended specs. For a more significant improvement, upgrading your PC's components, such as the CPU, RAM, or GPU, might be necessary, especially if your PC is several years old.
By following these steps and considering the potential causes, you should be able to diagnose the reason behind the lag and get your PC running smoothly for extended gaming sessions. If you need professional assistance, don't hesitate to contact the customer service of the brand that built your PC or seek a local fixer. Make sure to preserve your warranty if you take it to a nearby fixer, as some local repair services may void your warranty.