slow pc help pls??

t3zza36 · 10-07-2006, 06:37 PM

hi guyz , one of my machines is running real slow i will post the spec & pls feel free to post any suggestions with a few to upgrading to make machine faster & better all round.
thanks
mobo - fic az11e chipset via vt8363 apollo kt133(a)
cpu - amd duron 1000mhz
mem - 576mb(sdram)
graphics - geoforce ti4200
hd - 20bg.

**koala** · 10-07-2006, 07:15 PM

Does it run slow from startup or after you've been using it for a while? Are you running a few programs at the same time?

How much free space do you have left on the 20gb hard drive? Anything below 10% free and Windows starts to run less efficiently.

Have you defragged lately? This needs to be done every few weeks to prevent data being spread all over the drive which slows down access times.

Run System Tools > Disk Cleanup to remove unnecessary temp files and Windows components.

What are your virtual memory (swap file) settings? I would suggest setting both minimum and maximum to 1024, but this depends on what you use the computer for. You may need more or less, but this is a good default setting for your specs.

Install all the latest drivers for your motherboard, graphics, sound cards, etc.

If you're thinking of hardware upgrades, start with a bigger hard drive, then a new motherboard which will allow you to install a better CPU and faster RAM.

t3zza36 · 10-07-2006, 08:00 PM

ok thanks system is defrag & clean ,i was hoping that this mobo would allow me to upgrade cpu & mem without upgrading board wot do u think??

**koala** · 10-07-2006, 08:16 PM

With that motherboard you won't be able to go much higher than a 1.3Ghz CPU without overclocking, but you can have up to 1.5gb PC133 SDRAM.

**Doby** · 10-07-2006, 08:24 PM

The system is not worth upgrading it would be cheaper in the long run to just build new. You could put a bigger hdd in it if space is a problem but you have enough memory for that system and adding any more you won't see a big increase in performance. As far as upgrading the cpu again it just ain't worth the money or time.

If the system is running slower then normal after following koala's sound advice also make sure it is virus and spyware free. Other then that I would just keep it and run it as is.

t3zza36 · 10-07-2006, 10:41 PM

any 1 know where in uk i can get cheap components or even chip barebones ??

**koala** · 10-07-2006, 10:59 PM

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/
http://www.dabs.com/
http://www.home-pc.co.uk/

10-07-2006, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
t3zza36 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: winxp	slow pc help pls?? hi guyz , one of my machines is running real slow i will post the spec & pls feel free to post any suggestions with a few to upgrading to make machine faster & better all round. thanks mobo - fic az11e chipset via vt8363 apollo kt133(a) cpu - amd duron 1000mhz mem - 576mb(sdram) graphics - geoforce ti4200 hd - 20bg.

10-07-2006, 07:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,366 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Does it run slow from startup or after you've been using it for a while? Are you running a few programs at the same time? How much free space do you have left on the 20gb hard drive? Anything below 10% free and Windows starts to run less efficiently. Have you defragged lately? This needs to be done every few weeks to prevent data being spread all over the drive which slows down access times. Run System Tools > Disk Cleanup to remove unnecessary temp files and Windows components. What are your virtual memory (swap file) settings? I would suggest setting both minimum and maximum to 1024, but this depends on what you use the computer for. You may need more or less, but this is a good default setting for your specs. Install all the latest drivers for your motherboard, graphics, sound cards, etc. If you're thinking of hardware upgrades, start with a bigger hard drive, then a new motherboard which will allow you to install a better CPU and faster RAM. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

10-07-2006, 08:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,366 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	With that motherboard you won't be able to go much higher than a 1.3Ghz CPU without overclocking, but you can have up to 1.5gb PC133 SDRAM. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

10-07-2006, 08:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Doby Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central PA (USA) Posts: 8,091 OS: XP sp2/ Vista My System	The system is not worth upgrading it would be cheaper in the long run to just build new. You could put a bigger hdd in it if space is a problem but you have enough memory for that system and adding any more you won't see a big increase in performance. As far as upgrading the cpu again it just ain't worth the money or time. If the system is running slower then normal after following koala's sound advice also make sure it is virus and spyware free. Other then that I would just keep it and run it as is. __________________ Would you like to help TSF fight cancer and other diseases??? JOIN TEAM TSF

10-07-2006, 10:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,366 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ http://www.dabs.com/ http://www.home-pc.co.uk/ __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

10-07-2006, 08:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
t3zza36 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: winxp	ok thanks system is defrag & clean ,i was hoping that this mobo would allow me to upgrade cpu & mem without upgrading board wot do u think??

10-07-2006, 10:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
t3zza36 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 12 OS: winxp	any 1 know where in uk i can get cheap components or even chip barebones ??