Embodiments of improved methods and apparatus for maintaining low non-uniformity over the course of the life of a target are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate in a physical vapor deposition chamber includes: disposing a substrate atop a substrate support having a cover ring that surrounds the substrate support such that an upper surface of the substrate is positioned at a first distance above an upper surface of the cover ring; sputtering a source material from a target disposed opposite the substrate support to deposit a film atop the substrate while maintaining the first distance; and lowering the substrate support with respect to the cover ring and sputtering the source material from the target to deposit films atop subsequent substrates over a life of the target.