Please advise

[Mugsy]

could i have some tips on how to get better perfomance from my pc without installing new hardware (basically in terms of games)                    

[TaC_uP]

overclocking.....defragmenting........delete unused and unecessary files

you can try pc mechanic.....it is a very good pc utility                    

[Flippant]

well, in terms of steps, getting faster performance tips would be:
1. clean install OS, page file on its own partition, OS in another, program files (games) in yet another
(optional: optimize BIOS if you are comforatable with it. no O/C yet.
2. disable unecessary crap in the OS. findfast, indexing service, messaging, unused protocols. visual styles. Lock the page file.
3. latest update and drivers of everything.
4. make a clean user account (not admin, although some games prefer if you are admin. if so then 'run as') for games.
5. Run benchmarks. Record them.
6. O/C and run benchmarks/mod hardware as necessary.                    

[TrinireturnofGamez]

Step 1. run a benchmark, record result

Step 2. Go into PC's Bios , change 1 thing , see if computer boots up and your games run properly, then go back and change another [eg. DRAM timings, AGP settings, FSB/multiplier/voltage ] and see what increases performance by running benchmarks  .

Step 3. Get a tweaker for your system eg. Radeonator for Radeon cards, these will allow u to overclock and tweak your vid card.

Step 4. always download the latest drivers , preferrably from www.omegadrivers.net if they give u no trouble,

Formatting your HD and reinstalling everything from scratch also helps alot for performance.                    

[wesleigh]

when runnin games make sure nuttin else eatin up ur os mem                    

[PapaSmurf]

Exactly, remove all unecessary apps running in the background.....virus shield, msn messanger etc                    

[Computerman]

Exactly, remove all unecessary apps running in the background.....virus shield, msn messanger etc

Exactly!  Use the Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and close (End Task) some of those pesky programs (e.g. explorer.exe)
 :comp:                    

[CRaZyAnGeL]

buy a new pc
and remember overclocking is dangerous                    

[TrinireturnofGamez]

buy a new pc
and remember overclocking is dangerous

Yes and no......

Yes if you pc is poorly cooled and poorly ventilated......

yes if the parts have little or no O/C potential

yes if its done improperly

no if its well cooled and/or you know what your doing

no if the system has ALOT of potential to push up mhz.

on any system that allows you to change the FSB multiplier and voltage you will also have a built in overheating protection that should prevent any damage to your system.... [ notoriously know not to work with thunderbird processors]