Windows 7 slow performance on my laptop

[Raymond]

Hi,

Gregrockers helped me install a clean proper windows 7 on my laptop. How come I tend to wait along time to open 1 app? Here are my laptop specs:

• Gateway Model ML3108b
• Sempron 3400+
• 1Gb DDR2
• 60GB HDD
• DVDRW
• 14.1” Crystalbright Widescreen
• 4:1 Card Reader
• Wireless LAN
• Vista Home Basic
• Works v8.5 Details
• Processor: AMD Sempron™ Processor 3400+ (1.8GHz, 256KB L2 cache, HyperTransport™ technology @ up to 1600MHz)
• Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate build 7600
• Display: 14.1" widescreen Ultrabright™ WXGA TFT (1280 × 800)
• Chipset: NVIDIA® C51MV
• Memory: 1Gb 667MHz DDR2
• 2 DDR2 slots total
• Hard Drive: 60GB 4200rpm PATA hard drive2
• Optical Drive: 8x multiformat dual-layer DVD±RW
• Write max: 8x DVD±R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 2x DVD-R DL, 2.4x DVD+R DL, 24x CD-R and 16x CD-RW Disks
• Reads max: 8x DVD-R/RW/ROM, 4x DVD±R DL, RAM, 24x CD-R/RW/ROM
• Media Reader: 4-in-1 memory card reader
• Secure Digital™ (SD), Multi Media Card™ (MMC), Memory Stick™ (MS), Memory Stick™ Pro
• Video: NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 6100 Up to 256MB Turbocache™
• Audio: High-definition 2-channel audio
• Built-in speakers
• Network: 10/100Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
• 802.11g Wireless LAN
• Modem: 56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
• Pointing Device: Synaptics touchpad with vertical scroll Ports/Other: 3 - USB ports
• 1 - VGA connector
• 1 - RJ-11 modem port
• 1 - RJ-45 Ethernet port
• 1 - Headphone / Audio out
• 1 - Microphone
• 1 - Kensington Lock slot
• 1 - AC adapter connector
• Expansion Slots: Expresscard™ Type 54
• Dimensions: 35-36mm (H) x 330mm (W) x 240mm (D)3
• Weight: 2.4 kg (system unit only)3
• Battery: 6-Cell 2400 mAh Lithium Ion

Current my laptop has 1GB of RAM in total.
1x 512MB
1x 512 MB

If I swap the 512MB RAM with a 1GB will it improve alot in performance?

 

[OmegaZab]

I am gonna say its not gonna be a fantastic peformance if anything looking into going to 2 or 4 gigs would give you a noticable increase.

btw not exactly an expert but that's my opinion

 

[richc46]

I think that you will see a noticeable increase, basically on boot and shut down. Depending on the type of programs you have, you may or may not see an increase in those areas.

 

[Raymond]

Nope, just little bit better than before's performance. If I had a total of 1.5GB of RAM would speeds be much better?

 

[Jonathan_King]

Probably not. If you were to look through you specs and find the weakest link, what would it be? For most people, it is their hard drive. In fact, their boot time is almost directly related to the speed of their hard drive. You have a small hard drive, probably 5000 RPM. Upgrade to a 256GB SSD and you will really see your performance spike!

That having been said, if you already have the RAM, you might as well stick it in and see what happens.

 

[Raymond]

Ok, I just ordered a 1GB RAM to replace one of the 512MB RAM inside the laptop. I will check the speeds later on. I really doubt its going to make a difference.

I might consider moving back to Windows XP. My weakest link is the RAM and HD. What about my CPU guys?

 

[Jonathan_King]

What about it? It should be enough to run 7 without a problem.

 

[Raymond]

The CPU is enough to run Windows 7? What if I had 2GB of RAM then? I got the 1GB RAM of crucialram.

I hope it makes a difference. Atleast I fixed up my partition on the HD.

 

[Jonathan_King]

Don't bother with 2GB of RAM. The one you bought should be enough. Realize: the computer can only run as fast as its weakest link. If you have a blazing fast CPU, and a slow HD, you will not see a speed difference. More Ram≠More Speed. If you have 512MB of RAM that never gets used, it is wasted.

 

[Raymond]

Right now I have 1.00GB of RAM in the laptop. It is lagging like mad. Even if I load a application like MSN it takes a good 3-4 mins to load.

I was just wondering upgrading the RAM to 1.5GB in total.

When I was on Windows XP I ran like many stuff on there without lagging. I had hosted a test server on there aswell.

What do you recommend me doing? E.g. Upgrading what part?

 

[Jonathan_King]

I cannot recommend upgrading any part until I see some performance charts. Go into the task manager, and post a screenshot of your Performance tab.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-how-post-screenshot-seven-forums.html

 

[Raymond]

Sure, I will SS it for you then.

Here is the performance when running MSN, Windows Update, Notepad, Paint, Mozilla:

 

[Jonathan_King]

Sorry, I had to go out for the afternoon. Could you click "Show processes from all users" and sort the list descending by memory usage?

 

[DarkDavil]

My ideas:
1. More RAM, try to install in equal pairs, not like 512 MB in one, and 1 GB in other. But 1 GB in one, 1 GB in other.
2. Download a trial version of Tune-Up Ulitilies. TuneUp America - TuneUp Utilities - Version 2010, use to Optimize your Performance.

3. Defrag regularly, download the Trial Version of O&O Defrag 12 Pro, Works great! O&O Software - O&O Defrag Pro Disk Defrag Software
4. Look at Under-Volting guide to keep your laptop cool, and performing well --> http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/41407-undervolting-technique-cooler-laptops.html

5. Good Luck!

-DD