Windows tweaks for better dev environment

[vasouv]

Hey guys, with so many developers/programmers in the forum, I guess you can help me in this with suggestions and advice. I've got a fairly good computer, can't complain, that I use for programming amongst other stuff. I'd like to tweak it a bit so it handles many stuff running when I study.

Many times II have a browser with a couple of dozen tabs open on my second monitor, an IDE, a webserver and/or dbms, some times I work on a virtual machine, I might want to share screens in Google Hangouts... I believe you get the gist.

What can I tweak so my system gives "mo'e powaaahh!" For example graphics and stuff, do I leave them on so my gpu handles them or do I turn them off?

So far I've had no problems at all, I just feel I could make my pc a bit more lightweight if I tweaked some stuff...

Below there's a pic of my pc specs, just to get you an idea of what I use.

[tp4tissue]

Windows tweaks won't get you anything tangible...

I THINK... Overclocking is what you're looking for...

[tp4tissue]

If you are "serious" about getting into this.. check out this guide

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596023

The only thing you have to "buy" is an aftermarket cooler that fits in your computer..

You can probably get a good 30% more speed out of it.  REAL SPEED...  not the bull**** windows accelerator program kinda speed...

Also, I recommend you get m0ar ram.. 8gb is good for W7

Get 2x 4gb sticks, if you use 4x2gb sticks it will slow your computer down, and you won't be able to overclock as high, due to the additional stress on your memory controller.

[ComradeSniper]

Adding on to what tp4 said:

RAM overclocking is pretty much useless, CPU overclocking and more ram (to a point) will go a long way.

I don't know about the Athlon, but I know the Phenom II x4 is very OC friendly.

[Morwrath]

Adding on to what tp4 said:

RAM overclocking is pretty much useless, CPU overclocking and more ram (to a point) will go a long way.

I don't know about the Athlon, but I know the Phenom II x4 is very OC friendly.

[tp4tissue]

Adding on to what tp4 said:

RAM overclocking is pretty much useless, CPU overclocking and more ram (to a point) will go a long way.

I don't know about the Athlon, but I know the Phenom II x4 is very OC friendly.

Athlon is just the stripped down version of Phenom II.. think Pentium vs Celeron..

It can do around 3.4ghz easy... 3.6ghz may probably require a more premium board because of the high fsb required... 

But regardless.. investing in a Beasty Aftermarket cooler is worth it because they will fit on everything these days, so you can always reuse it in the future.

[vasouv]

Can't say I'd mind overclocking a bit, I don't think I'll be getting a new computer for a good couple of years so I might as well get something more from my current rig.

Of course I'm intimidated by tweaking hardware stuff so I'd better let a friend of mine deal with it

[tp4tissue]

Can't say I'd mind overclocking a bit, I don't think I'll be getting a new computer for a good couple of years so I might as well get something more from my current rig.

Of course I'm intimidated by tweaking hardware stuff so I'd better let a friend of mine deal with it

Check if the "thermaltake Frio" will fit in your case.. you can look into other coolers as well..

BIGGER is BETTER,  look for THICK heat pipes and LARGE gaps between cooling fins.

[Oobly]

Can't say I'd mind overclocking a bit, I don't think I'll be getting a new computer for a good couple of years so I might as well get something more from my current rig.

Of course I'm intimidated by tweaking hardware stuff so I'd better let a friend of mine deal with it

Check if the "thermaltake Frio" will fit in your case.. you can look into other coolers as well..

BIGGER is BETTER,  look for THICK heat pipes and LARGE gaps between cooling fins.

Thermal transfer efficiency is a factor of surface area and airflow, not the size of the gaps... More fins with smaller gaps is better than less fins with larger gaps as long as the airflow isn't restricted.

You need good airflow through the case and especially over the heatsinks. Big fans are good for two reasons, more air flow and quieter. Noctua make some good coolers and fans.

[microsoft windows]

Installing Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 is an invaluable enhancement to the Windows development experience.