4. 16bit vs. 32bit Graphics Setting

Now this method will not be so popular with graphic designers as it will take away from the graphical quality that such professionals can notice instantly. If you happen to be one and this doesn’t bother you, then by all means go for it! Also, this setting might not have an effect on some PC’s in the case where the system is outfitted with a video card that’s independent of the CPU – In english: An extra video card that’s installed in the system and does it’s own processing.

Please experiment with this – there are no side effects if you follow this tutorial. I don’t do much video editing nor Photoshop work so this method works good for me and many others.

You need to change / lower the video quality of the video card to take some strain off the PC. This can be done by doing the following: (Windows Vista users please skip this section and scroll below)

Windows XP

1. Right click on an empty area on your desktop and choose Properties

2. In the Display Properties window click on the Settings Tab

3. Now look at the Color Quality box and you should see that your system is set to Highest (32 bit) – Click the drop down menu and you should be presented with a few options. The one we’re looking for is the Medium (16 bit) setting.

4. After selecting that option, click on Apply. Your screen might go dark for a few seconds and should come back asking you whether you’d like to Accept the new settings or Cancel to go back to the old. If you’re OK with the way the screen looks, then Click Ok, Apply and Ok Again. If not, you can click on Cancel and revert back to the old settings without any changes being made to your system.

5. Notice that your system should be a little snappier since it doesn’t have to convert every image on the screen into a condensed 32bit image. Figure 1 below shows you a screenshot of the Display Properties Window.

(Images Coming Soon)

If your screen is a little different than the screenshot above, don’t panic, all you’re concerned with is the Color Quality setting.

Windows Vista

1. Right click on an empty area on your desktop and choose Personalize

2. In the Personalization window click on the Display Settings Link

3. Now look at the Colors box and you should see that your system is set to Highest (32 bit) – Click the drop down menu and you should be presented with a few options. The one we’re looking for is the Medium (16 bit) setting.

4. After selecting that option, click on Apply. Your screen might go dark for a few seconds and should come back asking you whether you’d like to Accept the new settings or Cancel to go back to the old. If you’re OK with the way the screen looks, then Click Ok, Apply and Ok Again. If not, you can click on Cancel and revert back to the old settings without any changes being made to your system.

5. Notice that your system should be a little snappier since it doesn’t have to convert every image on the screen into a condensed 32 bit image.