Solved Sluggish Win7 on New Build

[Postinimalo]

Hi there,

I recently installed Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on a new build and it is running very slowly. Slow to boot and wake up. Struggling to run multiple programmes. Slow download speeds. Slow everything basically. I don't know what the problem may be as I haven't got a very detailed knowledge of computers and diagnosing problems.

Build specs are:

450w psu
8gb 1333mhz (2x4GB) DDR3
Gigabyte GA-H67MA-D2H-B3 (Intel H67)
Intel Core i3 2100 (2x3.1Ghz) 3mb
750gb Sata-II 16mb HDD

My wireless adapter is NETGEAR RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter WNDA3100

All windows updates have been installed.

Any help you can offer is much appreciated

Thanks in advance,

P

 

[pparks1]

1). Check for malware
2). Is your copy of Windows 7 legit?

 

[Postinimalo]

Checked for Malware and haven't found anything and yeah my copy is legit. Might boot into ubuntu and see how it runs, should give me an idea about whether it's Windows which is causing problems or the components?

 

[essenbe]

When you installed windows did you download your drivers from Gigabyte's web site? Also, download and run the diagnostic program from your hard drive manufacturer. Also, does your bios show all of your ram?

 

[Corazon]

This may or may not have anything to do with your issue, but I can't help but think your 450W PSU is pretty weak for the kind of system you have.

Did you build the computer yourself? Is the BIOS up to date, and has it been reset to default settings? Did Windows find drivers for all devices, or are any unknown devices listed in Device Manager? Have the chipset drivers for the motherboard been installed?

 

[Postinimalo]

Thanks for all your help so far! I ran a diagnostic program from WD and the report came back with no errors whatsoever so that's fine. All RAM is detected by the Bios and I've got all the drivers downloaded from Gigabyte that I need.

There are no unknown devices in Device Manager so everything seems as it should be. Chipset drivers also up-to-date.

Could it be just a case of not getting enough juice from the PSU? Maybe I should pick up a cheap SSD and a 700w PSU and install Windows on the SSD while using my current hard drive just for storage.

What do you think?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Could it be just a case of not getting enough juice from the PSU? Maybe I should pick up a cheap SSD and a 700w PSU and install Windows on the SSD while using my current hard drive just for storage.

What do you think?

Your system specs say you are using integrated graphics.

If that is so, I seriously doubt that system ever uses 200 watts, let alone 450 watts.

So, unless it is outright defective, I'd doubt if the PSU is the problem.

I'd be inclined to check what processes are running when it is "slow" and to find out about RAM usage. And take a look at what you have running at startup via msconfig.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would also recommend using msconfig/Start Up. I only have 3 checks. Make sure you have your anti virus checked. Many times when adding things to a computer they all end up in the boot at start up and don't need to be. I would not use sleep mode until you get your slow problem fixed. When and if you add a video card you will need a bigger power supply.

 

[whs]

Slow is a very relative feeling. I assume you came from a much slower CPU and expected this build to really zoom. Fact, however, is that your performance is by and large ruled from the disk and the line speed you have with your ISP. The integrated graphics is no barnstormer either. So relative to what you had before, there is probably not a big change.

There are two things you can do to improve the situation.

1. Install the OS on an SSD. I suggest you get a 60GB model from a good make (OCZ or Intel). Sata III models are preferable but Sata II may do and is cheaper. This may give you some guidance: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

2. Check with your ISP about a better line speed. I would go for DSL 6000 at least. That will improve upload/download speeds but not webpage access speeds (those depend on the number of hops).

 

[mjf]

You can use your "Resource Monitor" to have a better look at what's consuming your resources.
I also like
sysinternals Process Explorer. A well regarded utility.

 

[Postinimalo]

Thanks for all your input so far I never expected so many responses! I've run msconfig and unchecked a lot of things which has helped. I think WHS has summed my problem up I may look into an SSD and install my OS on it.

Can anyone recommend a good SSD? I haven't got a huge budget so in the affordable-yet-effective range would be wonderful!

Thanks!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Intel, OCZ, and Crucial are among the better brands.

Look at New Egg for any sale prices.

I've seen prices down to below $1.50 per GB.

Unless you have an unusually large installation, you should be able to get away with a 60 or 80 GB SSD---and then put all of your data on the standard spinning drive.

Here's a bunch, beginning at $100:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=100008120 4017&IsNodeId=1&name=$100 - $200

 

[whs]

From the link that ignatz posted, this is a good choice: Newegg.com - Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) Crucial is a solid make and this is probably the cheapest Sata III you can get. The write speed is not earthshaking, but in pactical life that will have no negative impact.

This would be my next choice. But this is a Sata II. But mind you that the access speed is the same as on a Sata III - and for the OS, it is access speed that counts more than anything else. Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex 2 OCZSSD2-2VTXE60G 2.5" 60GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

 

[essenbe]

I have 4 SSDs, an Intelx25-m, a Vertex2 and 2 Crucial M4s. They are all very good and, as WHS said, have about the same access times. Any of the 3 would be a good choice. But, I think the 64GB Crucial M4 is the best buy at $109. I am running the 64GB now and have all user files on a spinning hard drive. I have 30GB of free space left. You really do not need a large SSD to have a good running OS.

 

[Postinimalo]

Thanks so much for all of your help I'll invest in the Crucial soon and hopefully get everything sorted! I'll definitely be visiting this forum in future after all these great responses!

Take it easy

 

[mjf]

Struggling to run multiple programmes...[/SIZE]

You have plenty of memory and while there is no doubt an SSD will give a boost how do you know your i3 processor isn't a problem without assessing resource usage.

I run multiple programs with a spinner but have an i7 2600k and find my system responsive.

 

[Postinimalo]

Sorry for not mentioning this earlier, having installed some more updates and the required drivers from Intel I found the system more speedy in running multiple programs. I've just ran Skype, media centre, MS word, webcam software along with Braid and this browser window in a small window and while everything wasn't lightening fast there were far fewer instances of lag.

Looking at cpu usage in resource monitor it didn't go to any extravagant percentages.

 

[Sardonicus]

Check your connections.
I once had a front audio connector with 1 through 5 installed into header 9 through 0.
It caused me trouble getting into the BIOS and the system was sluggish until I plugged it in correctly.

 

[GeneO]

Thanks for all your help so far! I ran a diagnostic program from WD and the report came back with no errors whatsoever so that's fine. All RAM is detected by the Bios and I've got all the drivers downloaded from Gigabyte that I need.

There are no unknown devices in Device Manager so everything seems as it should be. Chipset drivers also up-to-date.

Could it be just a case of not getting enough juice from the PSU? Maybe I should pick up a cheap SSD and a 700w PSU and install Windows on the SSD while using my current hard drive just for storage.

What do you think?

Your power supply is fine for an i3 with integrated graphics and as little disk as you have. If there were problems with PSU capacity, it would show more serious symptoms than slowness.

 

[GeneO]

Sorry for not mentioning this earlier, having installed some more updates and the required drivers from Intel I found the system more speedy in running multiple programs. I've just ran Skype, media centre, MS word, webcam software along with Braid and this browser window in a small window and while everything wasn't lightening fast there were far fewer instances of lag.

Looking at cpu usage in resource monitor it didn't go to any extravagant percentages.

Soundsgood!

SSD will help some overall and increase your boot and program load times. You don't need a new PSU though.

Also, if you are using integrated graphics and you have all of the windows aero visual affects on, like animations etc, that can give the feel of slowness. You may want to turn off some of the animations for instance (my computer -> properties -<> advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Performance Settings)

Good luck