Need help improving performance of the windows 7 machine.

[Dolke]

Hi guys,

I currently use windows 7 professional x86 with 4 Gb of RAM, of which 2.96 Gb are avaialble for the user application and rest is system reserved. This machine is equiped with Intel i7 860 and powerful SAMSUNG 850 pro SSD.

There are several other PCs that are remotly conecting to this machine and once they all are connected + person being on the PCs and working some excel calculation etc lack of RAM show its face.

Obviously in this configuraition lack of RAM memory is obvious but we are limited to x86 system because our bussines application, which we use on daily basis, doesnt work in 64bit enviroment.

There is x64 version of the software but it cost quite a lot and its not easy to migrate from 32 to 64 bit platform with this software.

So right now, I have situation that I cant update further due to these conditions and limitation and then again we expirience this lack of RAM every day and its really making problems.

My question is the following:

Right now, this PC has 2 x 2 Gb of RAM (standard SpecTek(Patriot) modules PC3-10700)

Is there some kind of memory, like those made for gaming (I call those preformance RAM) that I can put instead of these 2 in order to have faster RAM that will reduce this problem of not be able to put more then 4 Gb?

P.S. Motherboard is MSI, H55M-E33 (MS-7636)

Thank you all for suggestions in advance.

Ragards
Dean

 

[ICIT2LOL]

No worries mate first up get some more RAM on board and have a run through "my bible" -
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

 

[Dolke]

Thank you for the replay...

I think you missed my post I cant update more ram. Im stuck with x86 system (due to software we use doesnt work under x64 system) so windows wont recognise more ram even If I get lets say 4 Gb more...

 

[ICIT2LOL]

OK well unless I am terribly wrong more RAM would not go amiss. I am also wondering why you haven't got a 64bit system installed unless it is because of cost.

My broadband is dropping out right now and it missed me explaining RAM to you - RAM is memory its abbreviation for the component Random Access Memory.

Now even with the x86 system that tutorial will still offer good tips as the authour is a brilliant fellow.

Seems a shame you have to use x86 as you have such good components in that machine.

 

[Dolke]

Its not because of the cost... its beacuse we use sotware which doesnt work under x64 and that software is essential for our work.

I know mate... thats why I was wondering if replacing this 4 Gb or RAM with some other lets say performance RAM would be a benefit or not? If such thing as performance RAM exist afterall

 

[Barman58]

Dean, the RAM route will not help due to the known x86 limitations that you are aware of

One thing that may be useful is the use of a suitable SSD on the machine, if the program is running locally on the machine then this should be a system drive for the OS and programs - if the users just remotely access data from this system than the SSD should be used for data storage.

Other things which may or may not help if possible is to look at the network in use - upgrading the throughput rate to the maximum possible for your hardware may remove some delay, this would have a cost as network cards etc might have to be updated

 

[Dolke]

btw, Im not sure how would be of any significant impact having more then 4 Gb of RAM in x86 system.

Mobo on that machine has 4 slots. 2 of them are being used atm... I guess I could buy 2 more sticks of the same kind making this machine has 4 x 2Gb = 8 Gb but Im pretty sure this wont have any impact on the performance because system will still see 2.96Gb as usable memory

 

[Dolke]

Thanks Barman58,

We do have SSD on this machine... as I previously said quite good one too... Its Samsung 850 Pro series SSD (256Gb) and yes, it is system partition.

Users rarly use any data from the storage partition which is standard HDD. Instead they use a lot of system resources and DB server which is again located on the C so system partition...

 

[Barman58]

It looks as if the system is at the maximum - I was hoping an SSD would be a solution, but the only route I can see would be an upgrade of hardware to a server machine spec (multiple processors, (not cores), and network connections, and / or the upgrade to the 64bit version of the software, both options are not cheap and the results for just one of the options may not be great on it's own

 

[Dolke]

I do own a licence for the x64 system...

Problem is that other software we use. Its current limitations are that it only works under x86.
There is newer version of this software that does work under x64 system but I need to pay for it licence and what is the worst part migration for x86 to this x64 version is nightmare

 

[Dolke]

Just to add one thing...

I use 8 Gb flash drive in order to use it as ready boost. Im not sure if this will help preformance but it doesnt do anything bad...
Only trouble is when I reboot the PC... I need manually to make USB dedicated to ReadyBoost feature.

is there a way to make this automatic on each reboot/shuting down?

 

[Barman58]

I understand your dilemma It's a regular occurrence in business computing, the users need to be able to work faster but this, although possible, is only possible at a cost. the only thing you can do is a fiscal analysis of the costings of the various options ...

The cost of lost production if the status quo is maintained Vs the upgrade to 64Bit and the improvements that result - and the equation contains too many subjective variables

 

[Barman58]

Have not done any readyboost for a while - there used to be a right click option to dedicate the use of any particular USB stick to readyboost ETC but this may have been removed when the USB boot options were changed a few years ago to improve the security

 

[Dolke]

Yes there is option when you right-click on the flash drive but issue is that user need to do this each time he reboots or shuts down a PC.

 

[Barman58]

It would appear that the removal of the possibility to to autoboot from a USB stick to prevent virus attacks has also removed the retention of other boot options

although the options are still listed by Microsoft

Turning ReadyBoost on or off for a storage device - Windows Help

 

[Dolke]

So in translation answer is NO, it cant be automated.

User needs to dedicate USB flash drive each time system boots...

well that sucks

 

[Barman58]

Did you try all the options in the edit I did to my last post? if so then it looks like the option has been "Depreciated"

 

[Dolke]

Sorry, I dont see the edit... is it this link?

 

[Barman58]

This

It would appear that the removal of the possibility to to autoboot from a USB stick to prevent virus attacks has also removed the retention of other boot options

although the options are still listed by Microsoft

Turning ReadyBoost on or off for a storage device - Windows Help

 

[Dolke]

I saw the link, yes, but it only says how to dedicate USB flash to a ReadyBoost.
It doesnt say how to make it permanent or Im missing something? :huh: