Solved CPU and memory performance suddenly drastically reduced

[dubbeat]

Hi,

This problem has me completely baffeled. I'm not even sure if this is the right forum to be posting in. (If you can suggest a forum better related to topic please do).

Recently I noticed my whole system being slower and more sluggish. Especially playing games. I checked my windows experience index and it had changed from 6.5 to 2.9.

The only scores in the list that have changed signifigantly are my cpu (now at 2.3) and my memory access(2.9).

This happend to me once before about 6 months ago. In the end I updated my dell bios from a10 to a11 and my score went up to 6.5 and my performance was percieveably improved.

Now I dont understand why (what seems like the same problem) has happened again.

I'd be very grateful if somebody could help me figure out why my system has suddenly slowed down so drastically.

Thanks,

dub

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Take a look at Task Manager when it is running slow. Look at processes to see what is taking up RAM and CPU cycles.

Does it boot as quickly as before?

I wouldn't expect a BIOS change to improve things.

Look at Resource Monitor to see how much RAM you are using at any particular time.

Have you done any tests of your RAM or hard drive to confirm they are OK?

How confident are you that you have no viruses or malware?

 

[dubbeat]

The machine seems to boot at the same rate but it's difficult to be sure.

If I have no applications open the cpu bounces around 1 - 3 percent.

I havnt tested the ram, prehaps theres a tool available in windows 7?

I dont use the web very often, I mainly just use my machine for gaming. I do have avg installed and it hasnt alerted me to any problems in the virus / malware area.

Also I came across this post

Dell XPS M1730 Performance Issues - Page 2

A person had what seems like a similar problem. He replaced his power supply. I'm desperate for a solution so I've ordered a new one to see if it does any good.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Type ram into the start button box and it will lead you to a RAM tester, although the preferred method is to use Memtest86 from a bootable disc.

I'd be very surprised if a new power supply helps.

AVG is mediocre. I'd at least run Malwarebytes to check on malware.

But it sounds like a processes/RAM issue, so I'd look around in Task Manager and Resource Monitor.

Make sure all of your CPU cores are seen and operating in Resource Monitor.

Have you looked at msconfig?

 

[dubbeat]

Thanks for the reply again. Im in work at the moments. Im going to try what you have suggested when I get home. I'll let you know how I get on. What do you propose I keep an eye out for in msconfig? On the matter of the power supply. If the power supply is less than what the system expects to run is it concievable that this could somehow be slowing the processor?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

What do you propose I keep an eye out for in msconfig? ....... If the power supply is less than what the system expects to run is it concievable that this could somehow be slowing the processor?

In msconfig:

On the services tab, check "hide all Microsoft services". What's left on the list? You may not need all of what's left running.

On the startup tab: What is checked? You may not need all of that stuff checked.

On the boot tab, check Advanced Options: make sure the "number of processors" and "maximum memory" boxes are unchecked.

If you had an inadequate power supply, I wouldn't expect that to reveal itself in this way.

Do you have an app such as HWInfo32 running that can take a look at power supply voltages and temperatures??

My first idea would be to look at processes, RAM, and CPU usage in Task Manager and Resource Monitor.

 

[Pete4]

The problem is I believe Windows performance index runs it's tests after suspending most other activities, so if the index went down so much, I would suspect your CPU and memory runs that much slower, if there were other programs running in the background, they should not affect the index that much. There are programs (actually too many to list all, but just to name few: HWmonitor, CPUz etc) to show you what voltages, frequency, temp. etc your computer is running at. Those could indicate a problem: for example if CPU was throttling down due to overheating. You do need some understanding of what the numbers should be, so some extra reading would be required.

 

[fseal]

I would also go back into the BIOS and make sure that for some weird reason your CPU wasn't set to be running at some way underclocked value. Try resetting all BIOS settings too their default and see if that fixes it.

 

[dubbeat]

guys thanks alot, a lot of really good advice and avenues to pursue here.
I'll carry on with the tests suggested and let you know what I discover.

 

[dubbeat]

Here is information I have gathered froma few tools that are relevant.

I'm sure if the temperatures look right. I dont dont what they generally should be.

My core and processor speeds dont look right, but Im no expert.

What do you reckon?

CPUZ

Core speed : 598.4 MHz

Memory DRAm Freq : 332 MHz


CPUID

Core Temperatures

core 1 24 degrees C | max 25
core 2 28 degrees C | max 28

CPU temperature 33 degrees C

Processor Freq
2500MHz (current 1595 MHz)


Battery 12 v (supposed to be 19 v I think according to my power supply label)



I also took a look at my bios. 2 items noticed.

The first is my clock speed is showing 1.8 out of a maximum 2.5.

Secondly power warnings were turned off. When I turned them on and rebooted I got a warning saying.

The AC adapter and wattage cannot be determined. The system will adjust performance to match the power available. Try to reset the power adapter.


Could this be responsible for my slow processor speed?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm not sure about the CPUZ readings as I don't use it.

Temps are OK.

The "Processor Freq" looks OK. I think that 1595 reading means it is idling at that lower frequency intentionally, to save power.

 

[OrngeTraffcCone]

Similar Issues

I am having a very similar issue. I have a new (Christmas gift) Asus G74SX laptop that all of a sudden has been running very slowly. I never really paid any attention to the task manager so I am unsure what is considered to be good process uses and good CPU usage, but when idling, I am running about 90 processes and 2.54GB memory, with around 9% CPU usage.

Whenever i game, my ping is incredibly high, (I was plying League of Legends and my ping was around 1000ms) and it takes a while to load webages. Before this issue, i had absolutely no problems, and this laptop has performed better than my desktops...

I have run 3 Antivirus programs (including malwarebytes) and ran a spyware searc and destroy, and nothing came up. My internet connection is sound, and I have spent my "free" time the past 2 days trying to figure this out.. Any advice?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

90 processes is quite high. I normally have around 50.

You obviously have a lot of stuff going on, probably a lot of it due to factory-loaded Asus stuff.

You can weed out a lot of it in msconfig.

If it has gotten slow only in the last few days, consider a system restore to a date prior to going slow.

 

[OrngeTraffcCone]

I've looked at msconfig and taken of a bunch of the startup and service bloat, but its still very high.

The weird thing is, as you said, that it happened so recently.

And stupid me, didnt make a backup, and my computer didnt come with a microsoft disc, so in that way, im sort of stuck.

 

[Pete4]

Quote
The AC adapter and wattage cannot be determined. [COLOR=#3485bd !important][FONT=inherit !important][COLOR=#3485bd !important][FONT=inherit !important]The [/FONT][COLOR=#3485bd !important][FONT=inherit !important]system[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR] will adjust performance to match the power available. Try to reset the [COLOR=#3485bd !important][FONT=inherit !important][COLOR=#3485BD ! important][FONT=inherit ! important]power [/FONT][COLOR=#3485BD ! important][FONT=inherit ! important]adapter[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT][/COLOR][/COLOR].

That's says it all, your computer is running under some fail safe mode, due to some hardware issue, possibly power board need to be changed or fixed

 

[dubbeat]

new power adapter arrived today. problem solved

 

[Lutcken]

Ok, so I really didn't read anything but what you said about the power supply. This could be possible. If your frame rates dropped tremendously, this is a very likely possibility; The ac adapter for the xps m1730 is 'rag'. There is a tiny wire that actually charges the battery, and also tells the computer that that ac adapter is compatible with the computer. It is extremely delicate. When mine broke i took the end plastic piece where you plug it in off. There you will see the tiny wire; it is the very center wire. (im sorry if this isn't very specific. im trying to be as clear as possible). If it is broken, then that is your problem. All you have to do is re sauder it, and tape it back up with some electric tape. Be careful while moving it though; the plastic piece that was removed was all the support for that tiny wire. I fixed mine over and over and finally got fed up with it and bought a new ac adapter.

Hope this helps.

 

[Lutcken]

and as soon as i posted ^^ i saw the last message -_-. but im happy you fixed it