New PC gamers often encounter performance issues, typically due to a simple mistake involving the monitor cable connection. If the monitor cable is plugged into a motherboard port instead of a dedicated graphics card port, the system relies on the CPU's integrated graphics, which can severely limit performance.
To resolve this, users should power down their PC, unplug the cable from the motherboard, and connect it to the appropriate port on the graphics card, whether it’s HDMI or DisplayPort. This adjustment is crucial for optimal gaming performance.
However, if the monitor is already connected to the graphics card and games still run slowly, other factors may be at play. One common issue is CPU thermal throttling, which can occur if the CPU cooler's protective sticker has not been removed. To diagnose this, users can utilize system monitoring software like HWiNFO to check for overheating.