Speeding up my Computer, It runs Slow for it's Specs

So, I recently gave my Computer an Upgrade by adding 2GB RAM to it, since it only had 512MB RAM. It's currently at 2.49GB RAM(0.01GB is Used for Graphics), but it isn't running much faster than when it was at 512MB, and I know it can support up to 3GB RAM. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to get it to use it's RAM Better? System Specs Below. I'm working on getting rid of the Fragments.

OS:
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Specs:
Pentium® 4 CPU 2.4GHz
2.49GB of RAM

Fragmentation:
6% File Fragmentation
3% Total Fragmentation

This post has been edited by OniLink10 on Jun 22 2008, 06:23 PM

When did you buy it? I had a 6 1/2 year old Pentium 4 computer and the power supply was running low, and I had to get a new one. Or maybe it's the processor. If you are almost maxing out your hard drive that could be a problem too.

Run desktop cleaner a make a defragmentation, should help.

Could be the physical oldness of your parts. But if you want to run stuff faster, overclock your processer and your ram, should speed it right up.

Well it was made in 2002 so it is 6 Years Old. That may be the Problem. The Processor is 2.4GHz or 2,400,000,000 Instructions Per Second. My Hard Drive is 65% Free Space, so I doubt that's a Problem.

I do that Daily.

Overclock? What? *Goes to Look it up*

Well I doubt that all 512mb was used before you updated, RAM stands for random access memory and is completely dependend of your processor. 512mb ram is more than enough for windows xp and maybe medium gaming and 2.5gb ram is therefore rather useless. Even for playing a game called crysis people have enough with just over 2gb.

If you want to speed up your pc for gaming or vista ( doubt it ) then this is what I suggest:
P4 of 2.4ghz is not bad but for games it's something called a bottleneck.

-I suggest a core 2 duo processor namely the q9450 or if you are lacking money the E8200 which are more than fast enough.
-Check your ram and see if it's ddr2 667 or above with a latency of 5, if that's the case your good, else your ram may be a little to slow to keep up with the processor.

If you have any more questions just ask.
Also if xp really runs slow you may need a driver update, because your hardware isn't all that bad.

This post has been edited by esteban on Jun 24 2008, 04:39 PM

ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Wow, that means I might have wasted $90. D: What is the Price of the E8200? My RAM is DDR PC2700, CL=2.5, Unbuffered, NON-ECC, DDR333, 2.5V. That's all the info I can find for the RAM.

There's some problems with more then 1 core processors on XP home. Like only using one core, programs not being able to use both if they are designed too, that sort of thing, but I don't any specifics.

edit: hold on ill edit this more as i look at your specs
edit: yeah that ram is pretty outdated, you could buy something like this and rip out your old 512 ram.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820146725

but since your motherboard is old, who knows if it could connect right.

Also, maybe since your 512 old stick of ram is placed 1st in the motherboard, programs look at that one first to use, and since you never exceed 512, your 2gb "better" stick (hopefully is better), is not used. Stuff like that happens like when you place a graphics card in the 2nd sli slot when you don't plan on using one, it will run at half power thinking you have 2 in sli.

so try removing your old ram stick, and put your new ram stick in the 1st slot!

This post has been edited by Cellnkocane on Jun 24 2008, 05:50 PM

Yikes! I actually have 2 1GB Sticks of RAM and 2 256MB Sticks of RAM. Also, my Computer only supports DDR PC2700 and DDR PC3200 RAM. I might just buy a new Computer after I save up enough money. Also, My RAM Sticks go in the Slots as Follows: 1GB 1GB 512MB 512MB. If I didn't put them in like that my Computer would Crash so... <.<

Yeah just get a new computer or just get a new motherboard + processor + ram + power supply + a graphics card (maybe a harddrive too if you need a new one) instead of a whole new computer lots cheaper, just use your old box monitor keyboard mouse printer speakers.


I recently saw someone on internet asking and wondering why all their programs wouldn't work or were slow on their Windows 2000, Lol.

to cellnkokane: Every application works on one core, two cores are handy for multiple and very heavy applications, otherwise a single core works fine. also mushin is bad quality

Anyway ddr pc2700 is very slow and may explain why xp runs slow. And 90 bucks is quite a lot of money too, I'm sure you can get 2gb ddr2! pc6400 ram for that price, and still have 20-30 bucks to spare. I guess you'll need a new motherboard aswell since I doubt it will support 45nm technology and core two duo even.
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here's a system which I suggest and will be up to date for atleast 3 years yet pretty cheap
-Corsair TWIN2X2048-8500C5D Dominator 2048 MB, PC8500, 1066 MHz ( 60dollars)
-Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz, 6 MB ( 120dollars)
-ECS GeForce 9600 GT Accelero 512 MB (100dollars)
-Abit IP35 Pro (100dollars)
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380 dollars which is cheap considering a pc with this configuration is the top of the line
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And if you're at 100dollars or below no problem:
-Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 1.80 GHz, 800 MHz, 1 MB (40dollars)
-Corsair CM2X1024-6400 1024 MB, PC6400, 800 MHz (15dollars!)
-Club3D GeForce 8400 GS 256 MB, PCI-e 16x (20 dollars )
-MSI 945GCM7-F (25 dollars)
the MSI 945 is the most future proof motherboard for his price, so if you need a upgrade you'll have no problem.
100 dollars
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This post has been edited by esteban on Jun 24 2008, 08:19 PM

mushkin ram pwns, and windows home xp handles more then 1 core processors lil differently.

This post has been edited by Cellnkocane on Jun 24 2008, 08:45 PM

This topic is full of voodoo tech support.

Changing hardware is pretty much an all-or-nothing deal for you at this point since none of the current tech will be compatible with your board, possibly not even your power supply (especially for Estenban's first suggestion).

If you're cash-strapped, the best way to get the most out of your current hardware is a system reload (which brings up the ugly details of backing up all your data and reloading the operating system), but that removes all of the hidden "cruft" that builds up over time and puts you back on a clean slate.

Even if you can't or aren't willing to reload your machine, the most important thing to pay attention to is the processes you have running in the background. Your choice of antivirus software makes one of the biggest differences in how well a computer runs, with Norton and McAfee being huge system hogs that really bog down machines. Unfortunately even the alternatives are getting heavy, so then it's up to you whether or not you want to run unprotected. The same goes for anti-spyware etc software. You may also have other unneeded things running from startup or from the registry.

Adding memory to your system makes a big difference when you have a lot of stuff running, because when there isn't enough available, the computer will begin to swap (using the harddrive) which is a huge slowdown. But at 3gb that's no longer a problem and there's not really any way to better use your RAM to improve performance, because it is no longer your bottleneck.

So... From what you're saying, I should do a System Reload for the Best performance of my Computer? Ok, I'll do that, but I don't know how it works or how to Backup my System or things like that. I need Step-by-Step Instructions on how to do it if I'm going to do it. Also, I do currently pay attention to my Processes and limit them so I only have the NEEDED Processes Running(Explorer.exe, etc). Also, about how much would the System Reload cost before I do anything.

Reloading (formatting and reinstalling) costs nothing, BUT if you don't know what you're doing, don't do it. First, you need the operating system disk that came with your computer, this varies by machine, with big name manufacturers like Dell using their own branded Operating System / Recovery CD for Windows. This CD is bound to your hardware and so you can reload without worrying about your Windows serial (usually). If a local shop built your machine, and didn't resell it from a big manufacturer, then you were given an OEM installation disc for Windows, and you will have to call Microsoft tech support to get your machine re-activated after reinstalling Windows. There should be a sticker on your computer with the serial number, make sure it's there. If you bought a retail copy of Windows yourself, you have the disc and serial number, and I don't think you'll have to call Microsoft when you're done.

Backing up your data is another story. You either have to save all the files you want to keep to an external harddrive, or transfer them to a networked computer, or burn them to CD or DVD, because they will all be lost if you format/reload the computer. If you can't back up your data, don't reload the computer.

It may be better for you to consult a friend that's more experienced with this stuff since they can better evaluate your situation and make sure you have everything you need.

Also, if you are actually good about watching your processes and tuning your computer, then even a reload may not buy you as much of an improvement as you want, which leaves you with no choice but to upgrade to better hardware.

This post has been edited by Retriever II on Jun 24 2008, 10:45 PM

Ok... I'll talk to my Dad about it, he's pretty experienced with Computers and may be able to help me with actually doing the System Reload.

I'd also suggest making partitions, for example a partition for your daily work and a partition for eg. games. This way your comp will run faster
@cellnkocane well you may be right, trough I once had one and it simply crashed after 2 weeks due to overheating. I'd suggest kingston or corsair above it

This post has been edited by esteban on Jun 25 2008, 04:45 AM