Slow when switching apps (ALT+TAB)

[JOSHSKORN]

Not all the time, but at times, my computer is slow when I ALT+TAB. Basically, my computer specs are as follows:

OS: Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate
Processor: E6750
RAM - DDR2 800 4 GB
Video: NVIDIA 800 GTS 320MB

I'm wondering what exactly is the cause of this. I do usually run at least 10 applications at once (AOL, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, Skype, GoogleTalk, MySpaceIM, at LEAST 5 tabs in Google Chrome (usually more) and depending on the website, I might switch to different browsers, Oracle11g and whatever FPS games I play). Oracle11g is loaded at startup. The instant messaging applications are all in a folder. I have a script that loads every link I put in a folder. I typically see these slowdowns when these programs are launching.

When I just glanced at the Resource Monitor, my CPU was bouncing anywhere from 8% to 32%. My RAM usage is roughly around 75%. I haven't seen it go past 3.2 GB even though I have a 64-bit OS. All of my applications are 32-bit, which I don't know if that has anything to do with making use of all 4 GB of my RAM or not. I don't know how to monitor my Video card usage.

Having all that said, what really is the culprit? What aspect of my system is causing this slowdown? If I turn on my computer, let the OS sit for a couple of minutes, THEN load my chat applications and my browser tabs, then let my computer sit another 2-3 minutes, it works just fine. I don't mind the wait, but it's just aggravating. I do intend on upgrading in the next year or so, too.

What affect would moving from DDR2 to DDR3 have, as well?

Yes the easy solution to fix this would be modifying my startup and starting things one at a time, but that's not the question here.

 

[logicearth]

It slows down because it can only process so many things at a given time. The culprit could be many. It is impossible to say.

 

[Ztruker]

DDR2 to DDR3 would not help. More ram and running Win 7 X64 would though.

 

[JOSHSKORN]

DDR2 to DDR3 would not help. More ram and running Win 7 X64 would though.

I AM running Windows 7 x64.

If I went from an E6750 to (for instance), whatever Sandy Bridge's offerings are going to be, how much of a difference would this make? Or is my problem more of my video card?

 

[Ztruker]

You need more ram. An upgraded video card may have some positive effect but more ram may give you a bigger boost. It's also possible more ram won't make much difference. As logiceareth said, there is no way to tell (without trying it).

The easiest fix is to reduce the number of apps you have running all the time. Do you really need 4 IM programs running?

 

[Hopalong X]

+1 Ztruker's last post.

Mike

 

[logicearth]

Need more RAM? Right... Adding more RAM won't help. Unless the OP is hitting 100% of 4 GB which i seriously doubt.

 

[Ztruker]

JOSHKORN said: I typically see these slowdowns when these programs are launching.

If the slowdown only occurs while loading all the programs in the folder then hard drive could be the limiting factor.

If ram is not the problem then it has to be CPU or hard drive. Ram is the easiest and cheapest to change.

As has been stated before, no way to tell for sure. All you can do is experiment and see what makes a difference.