Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order?

zemegauser · 06-14-2009, 11:10 AM

Specifications:

2GB Ram
9600GT OC
Intel Q9400 CPU
Audigy sound card
600Watt PSU, meets all requirements

OK, I am tired of this computer underperforming so much. A year ago I RMA'd my 8800GT because it ran all my games like crap. I got it back, but it was the same problem. Back then I had an Intel Pentium D. Later on that year, I got myself a new motherboard and quad core CPU; but I never reformatted after installing the new mobo and CPU.

Nowadays, games like Americas Army 3 run like pure crap for no apparent reason; even on the lowest settings. HL2 engine games also run like crap. I can't run ARMA 2 at all because of the horrendous FPS. Oblivion struggles horribly in towns

Now, after doing a hundred little small tweaks, and defragging, reinstalling drivers and etc., I am wondering if all these problems are created because i did not reformat. Now, since my last reformat, I have had a new motherboard, a new CPU, and a new graphics card.

Basically, my question is if you guys think that because I did not reformat I have these problems; or it's just something else in this damned system.

**simpswr** · 06-14-2009, 11:25 AM

What Operating system? What Brand/Model is the pc? What antiVirus are you using?

A clean install will amost always result in a faster system . . particularly if there have been a lot of hardware and software changes

zemegauser · 06-14-2009, 11:31 AM

Windows XP Pro. SP3
PC is a custom pc, started off as a Gateway but is totally revamped nowadays.
I don't use an anti-virus, but I recently did a few full scans and I have no viruses.

**simpswr** · 06-14-2009, 12:01 PM

What are you scanning with?

zemegauser · 06-14-2009, 12:37 PM

I used AVAST, AVG, Malware Anti-Bytes.

**simpswr** · 06-14-2009, 12:40 PM

Avast and AVG are both antivirus programs . . do you have both running ?

zemegauser · 06-14-2009, 01:50 PM

No, I just installed them for scanning...then I uninstalled them.

**simpswr** · 06-14-2009, 02:08 PM

You might try a reinstall . . that might clean out some old stuff from installing and uninstalling software/drivers.

Be sure to get the newest Chipset and other motherboard drivers if you do that

06-14-2009, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
zemegauser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: A	Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? Specifications: 2GB Ram 9600GT OC Intel Q9400 CPU Audigy sound card 600Watt PSU, meets all requirements OK, I am tired of this computer underperforming so much. A year ago I RMA'd my 8800GT because it ran all my games like crap. I got it back, but it was the same problem. Back then I had an Intel Pentium D. Later on that year, I got myself a new motherboard and quad core CPU; but I never reformatted after installing the new mobo and CPU. Nowadays, games like Americas Army 3 run like pure crap for no apparent reason; even on the lowest settings. HL2 engine games also run like crap. I can't run ARMA 2 at all because of the horrendous FPS. Oblivion struggles horribly in towns Now, after doing a hundred little small tweaks, and defragging, reinstalling drivers and etc., I am wondering if all these problems are created because i did not reformat. Now, since my last reformat, I have had a new motherboard, a new CPU, and a new graphics card. Basically, my question is if you guys think that because I did not reformat I have these problems; or it's just something else in this damned system.

06-14-2009, 11:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,230 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? What Operating system? What Brand/Model is the pc? What antiVirus are you using? A clean install will amost always result in a faster system . . particularly if there have been a lot of hardware and software changes __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

06-14-2009, 11:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
zemegauser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: A	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? Windows XP Pro. SP3 PC is a custom pc, started off as a Gateway but is totally revamped nowadays. I don't use an anti-virus, but I recently did a few full scans and I have no viruses.

06-14-2009, 12:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,230 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? What are you scanning with? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

06-14-2009, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
zemegauser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: A	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? I used AVAST, AVG, Malware Anti-Bytes.

06-14-2009, 12:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,230 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? Avast and AVG are both antivirus programs . . do you have both running ? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

06-14-2009, 01:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
zemegauser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11 OS: A	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? No, I just installed them for scanning...then I uninstalled them.

06-14-2009, 02:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,230 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Gah, I hate this underperforming computer... Reformat in order? You might try a reinstall . . that might clean out some old stuff from installing and uninstalling software/drivers. Be sure to get the newest Chipset and other motherboard drivers if you do that __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?