[Caael]

Okay so I've had a problem for a while that my PC is going pretty slow. However, it shouldn't.

I've done virus checks and nothing besides tracker cookies for browers. I have a 250gb harddrive with only 100gig filled up. I have pretty good specs that should mean I can play most games on high settings at the least, and yet when I go to play Red Alert 3, even on medium settings it's slow as ****.

What's wrong with my PC and how can I get it faster?

Specs here:http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2325/specsr.png

[Someone Else]

I can't see the specs because I am at school and imageshack is blocked. But I can tell you that adding more RAM is the fastest and easiest way to improve general performance.

I think you can also try cleaning out the registries and things like that. I've found that if you've had your computer around for a long time, it can have a large registry of settings about your computer that slows it down and parts of it are most likely superfluous. If you want to trim it down you should be careful though, if you don't know what you're doing you can mess up your computer.

Max and most likely Toasty will have a ****-ton to say to try and help you.

[Golden Legacy]

Seeing as you have 4 gigabytes of RAM, I doubt the issue is related with that. 4 gig of RAM is far more than enough for most users.

What WD said about the registry is solid. I would also suggest defragmenting your hard drive, although I don't know if it will address the computer slowdown.

[Someone Else]

4 gigs of ram????

I'm not jealous. Definitely NOT jealous at all.

And am totally on-topic.

[Caael]

4gigs of RAM for £30. Suck it.

ANd I defragged with no result. Somebody on another forum said my processor is crap and that it's an old model and should be replaced.

[Golden Legacy]

Looking at the specs in your image, that is very true. Intel's Pentium series came to an end quite some time ago, and 'Pentium D' is the predecessor for today's Intel Dual Core 2 (the exact name escapes me).

[Mallick]

Add wheels.

[Drizzy Drake]

rep`d

EDIT- ****, this isn`t rb. cake.

[Toasty]

Caael, on May 8 2009, 12:39 PM, said:

4gigs of RAM for £30. Suck it.

ANd I defragged with no result. Somebody on another forum said my processor is crap and that it's an old model and should be replaced.

It is. Even a $70 Pentium E5200 is better than that (it also happens to be what I have). Even better, is that you can overclock it to 3GHz easy with just the stock cooler.

Your graphics card isn't all that great, to be honest. But it should be able to play Red Alert 3 just fine.

4 gigs? Try six. Plus, mine are probably running 200MHz faster. :(


ANYWAY. Could be that you have a failing RAM module if you're also getting errors along with slow speed.
I'd also suggest making sure that you have all of the patches installed, especially if you're running Windows Vista.

Other than that, a fragmented registry with useless or redundant entries can really slow down your computer. I'd suggest downloading and running Advanced System Care. When you run the program, make sure to do a scan under the "Maintain Windows" section, and when you're under the "Diagnose System" section, uncheck the "System Optimization" (it's crap) and the "Disk Defragment" boxes.

Also, for disk defragging, I'd suggest using Auslogics Disk Defrag.

Golden Legacy, on May 8 2009, 02:49 PM, said:

Looking at the specs in your image, that is very true. Intel's Pentium series came to an end quite some time ago, and 'Pentium D' is the predecessor for today's Intel Dual Core 2 (the exact name escapes me).

Core 2 Duo. And the two are vastly different. The Pentium D is just two Penitum 4's stuck together. The Core 2 Duos are true dual core processors (though the Core 2 Quads are just two duos stuck together on the same die).

A dual core chip built on the Core architecture (like the E2180, or it's die-shrunk sibling, the E5200) will run cooler, use less power, run at lower clockspeeds, and still outperform a dual core chip from the Netburst architecture (like the Pentium D) just because the newer architecture is far better optimized.

Also, since the E5200 is built on a smaller processing scale (45nm versus 65nm), it'll run even cooler than the E2180 and overclock a bit better because of that.

Though if you've got more cash to spend, I'd get something like an E7200 or E7300.Though that also all depends on if your motherboard supports newer processors.




[EDIT] Wow, your chipset sucks. And my RAM is running 333MHz faster, btw. :P

Anyway, you should be able to install a Core 2 Duo without any problems. Though to be safe, since I'm not sure if your board supports 45nm chips or not, I'd get an E2180 or an E2200.

[EDIT 2] Yeah, I don't see support for 45nm chips on your board. Anything from the E6000, E4000, E2000, or E1000 series will work though. But I wouldn't waste your money on an E1000 chip. Those are Celerons.

[Caael]

How do I go about replacing chipsets and processors? I heard something about installing a processor requires resetting BIOS or something.

[Split Infinity]

Yeah, every time you install a new CPU the BIOS needs to be reset to recognize the new one and set the default values. Once that's done, you can reset them back to the ones you had before.

[Caael]

Is that how you go about overclocking then? Setting the values higher than they should be?

[Toasty]

Basically, yes. But it's a bit more complicated than that.

Split Infinity, on May 9 2009, 04:18 AM, said:

Yeah, every time you install a new CPU the BIOS needs to be reset to recognize the new one and set the default values. Once that's done, you can reset them back to the ones you had before.

No it doesn't

All you have to do is pop the new one in . You only have to update the BIOS if the current revision of it doesn't support your processor.

Installing a processor is pretty straight forward, though I'll admit it's harder than putting in a new graphics card. Either way, Caael, you should run CPU-Z so I can see what BIOS version you're running.


As for a newer chipset, it requires installing a new motherboard, which can be a real ***** if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

Your computer doesn't really suck so bad that it needs to be replaced (infact, you could at least sell it for $200 - $300), but if you want to do some serious gaming, I'd get a new one. Your gaphics card is kinda old, your CPU is kinda old, and most importantly, your motherboard's chipset is old. I'd say that calls for a new computer.

[Caael]

I could just steal my dads, his is much better and he doesn't use it for anything. I can run red alert 3 no problem on highest settings on his. Might try the Crysis demo on full as well on his to see if it can keep up.

Plus I'd much rather replace a motherboard than buy a whole new computer. It's only the CPU and chipset that really need replacing so no need in buying a whole new comp. My dad has a processor I can take out of his comp, and motherboards aren't massively expensive either.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2281/specsm.png

My dads specs. I'll try persuading him to swap cores but the chipset is a whole other issue. What do chipsets exactly do anyway?

[Mallick]

Do you honestly think THAT would run Crysis on full settings?

[Caael]

Apart from the graphics card, probably.

[Toasty]

The graphics card is by far the most important deciding factor in gaming. You can have a Core i7 running at a gajillion GHz with a million gigs of RAM, but if you've got a sucky graphics card, it's going to run really slow.

On the other hand, your cpu doesn't need to be much faster than what the recommended specs say.


Anyway, the chipset is pretty much the life and blood of the computer. It handles all of the I/O operations, directs all the traffic to where it needs to go, and a crapload of other things.


If you want a decent motherboard, expect to shell out around $120 or more.

Also, there's no reason to pull any hardware out of your dad's PC. Infact, that would just be retarded. Mostly because he has a better motherboard than your computer does. Convincing him to switch computers would be a more logical solution.



I think you fail to realize exactly how complicated upgrading a motherboard can be. No offence, but you don't even know what the hell the chipset does for Christ's sake.



I'm serious. Just sell this one and get a better one. Or better yet, have your local computer geek build you one, and don't let him convince you to use anything other than what I tell you.

[Caael]

I'm not going to be able to convince him to swap, which is the annoying part, despite the fact that he doesn't even use a 10th of the power his PC has. I'll convince him that either we swap or he shells out money for a new one.

[Split Infinity]

Just be happy with your 360, rich brit. >>

[Caael]

So Toasty, what motherboard/chipset would you recommend? I dont want anything majorly fancy, just one thats better than what I've got now. I'm going to convince my dad to part with his processor but he wont swing over the whole comp. I'll get a specialist to install it.

[Toasty]

If you're going to use your dad's CPU, get a motherboard with a P45 chipset. I'd personally suggest something from Gigabyte, like this. It's got a lot of USB ports on the back as well as dual ethernet ports, optical and coaxial S-PDIF, and 7.1 surround sound.

More importantly though, it supports significantly faster RAM, and the latest LGA 775 cpus from Intel. Plus, Gigabyte is a good quality brand in my opinion.

As for RAM, you can either go with DDR2 800 and overclock it to 1066MHz (not guaranteed to hit that though), or you can just get the stuff rated for 1066.

DDR2 800

DDR2 1066

If you want to get a new video card, I'd suggest the ATi Radeon HD4770. Or if you prefer something from Nvidia (I find their console to be easier to work with), I'd go with the 9800GT or something from their GTX line (like the GTX 260, or GTX 275).


I'm assuming that you'll be sticking with your current hard drive and CD/DVD drive.


But, Intel is supposed to be releasing their consumer-level Nehalem processors in the last quarter of this year. But that would require a new processor as well as a new motherboard and RAM, instead of the latter two for this upgrade. A new consumer Nehalem processor will cost somewhere above $100.

[Caael]

Right, I've convinced my dad to switch computers and only one problem remains, which is the actual transferring of data.

I plan on putting the drivers from my computer onto my dads HDD, and vice versa, so I can simply put my HDD into his computer, run the drivers to configure his hardware with my OS and vice versa.

The only problem is that he's running on XP pro and I'm running on XP home, so will there be a conflict of BIOS start-up? For example, the BIOS on mine will be configured with XP home, so when my dads HDD with XP pro on it is inserted, will the BIOS reject it or what will happen? If something does happen, will it be easy to fix or will it just be easier to get a professional?

[Toasty]

The BIOSes don't care what operating system you have.

Just swap the drives, boot up XP in safemode, and install the drivers. If all goes well you shouldn't have any problems, but chances are there'll be a few. Most likely in the form of driver conflicts.

Though I could probably fix those for you via TeamViewer.

[Caael]

Ahh that's good to know. In which case, I should have a ****ing awesome computer by tomorrow night.

Why safemode however to install drivers?

[Toasty]

Because if you try to install new drivers while the current ones are in use, bad **** happens.

Safemode prevents all but the most crucial drivers from initiating on start up.

But seeing as you won't be deleting the old drivers, you could run in to some driver conflicts.


Open up the run prompt (Windows key + R) and type in "msinfo32". That should allow you to see all of your installed drivers, and what they're responsible for. You'll probably want to un-install any drivers for any peripherals you had on either computer (i.e. PCI sound cards, graphics cards [even if they're integrated], etc.).

I'd say un-install the chipset drivers, but I'm afraid of what could happen.


If you just install the proper drivers though, you should be fine.


[EDIT] Also, boot into Safemode With Networking in case you need to acess the internet for help/something.

[Caael]

Alright, so...

1. Put opposite drivers on opposite HDD
2. Put HDD in good PC
3. Boot up in safe mode w/networking
4. Uninstall current drivers and install new drivers
5. ????
6. Profit!

By uninstanlling the current drivers, I'm guessing that means by going into C:/DRIVERS and delete everything? Or is there more too it than that?

I'm currently backing everything on both PCs up incae something goes wrong so I have time to burn.

[Caael]

O HAI NEW AWESOME ****ING FAST PC HOW R U DOING 2DAY?!

WHATS THAT? YOU CAN PLAY CRYSIS ON HIGH? NO WAI!!
This is called spam.

This is also called raping your family.

[Toasty]

lolwut. Please tell me you didn't go to C:\Windows\System32\Drivers (aka %System Root%\Drivers) and delete everything.

Though I'm assuming you didn't do that, because your computer actually works.

Bravo.


[EDIT] Do me a favor.

Open up the RUN prompt (WinKey+R), type in "cmpmgmt.msc"
It'll open up the Computer Management Console.

You'll see a tree structure in the left section of the window. In that section, you'll see "Device Manager".

Tell me if there are any unknown components or anything. You should see a yellow triangle or something.

Also, if there's anything wrong, one of the little "+" things should be expanded (and it'll be a "-" instead).


Or just take a screenshot and upload it.

[EDIT 2] Do that for both of the computers, actually.

[Caael]

Well I haven't done the other comp yet, but this one has had no trouble at all so far. The process was far easier than I was expecting. The only problem I had was the computer not originally recognising the mouse so I put it in a different USB and it was fine.

And I have a program called Driver Detective that basically does that for me, Toasty and all devices are accounted for and installed.

[Toasty]

Driver Detective can suck my balls. I need to find me a good freeware alternative to that...

[Caael]

Toasty, on Jun 22 2009, 04:01 AM, said:

Driver Detective can suck my balls. I need to find me a good freeware alternative to that...

Oh it is free...illegally so but still.

[Toasty]

I prefer to find free alternatives that don't come with a five finger discount.

I mean, I've got a handful of pirated programs installed on my PC, but I prefer free alternatives.


I'd so much rather use Paint.NET than Photoshop. Free alternatives tend to be developed with the users wants and ideas in mind, unlike most commercial apps.

[Split Infinity]

Disregarding the fact that Photoshop is, you know, the single most powerful imaging tool on the market... and ridiculously easy to pirate.

Caael, on Jun 22 2009, 11:44 AM, said:

And I have a program called Driver Detective that basically does that for me, Toasty and all devices are accounted for and installed.

You installed Toasty onto your PC?

[Toasty]

I'm a very popular application. Haven't you heard?

Improper punctuation ftw.

[Caael]

Split Infinity, on Jun 22 2009, 07:46 AM, said:

Disregarding the fact that Photoshop is, you know, the single most powerful imaging tool on the market... and ridiculously easy to pirate.


You installed Toasty onto your PC?

I downloaded the trials for every single Adobe CS4 program and my friend is in the process of making working cracks for each one awesomeface.png

[Neo]

Just to make a reply on the topic title, without having read any of the posts, here is something which will increase the performance of your computer dramatically (in a positive way).

http://www.tune-up.c...neup-utilities/

Download the free trial. And of course, if you want, it's friggin' easy to get a license code for full version on the internet for free.

The program doesn't change anything automatically. Instead, it scans your pc for possible improvements and/or changes. It gives you tips and hints on various part of your computer (whether you want to change performance, security, speed etc). Then it tells you how you can change it yourself, or the program can do it with one click on the button. It always tells you what it does and how he does it. Very trustworthy and easy to use. You can also set it to do a weekly scan, and then you can set the options to scan, and what the program changes if it finds anything during the scan.

[Toasty]

....I still wouldn't touch it, but that's because I'm a stubborn little *****.

Do see anything suggesting it has spyware though, so.

But it's not open source or freeware, so it can suck it.