Look for a new Processor!!

[Malevolent]

i still have a single processor and i'm starting to expand my graphic arts education. With multiple programs running for one project it tends to slow down majorly. So i'm guessing its due to me only having a single core processor. I'm not the best when it comes to selecting new main componets for my computer so i figured i'd post this question.

Any feed back or suggestions will be greatly apreciated.

Thanks

[Mhurron]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

Without knowing everything about your current system it would be impossible to say.

BTW the safe suggestion for upgrades given the above information (ie nothing) is to max out your RAM.

[Malevolent]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

i have 1gig of memory thats the first thing i upgraded when i got it.

its a dell E521 customized/ took all the factory parts out and added better but affordable parts

main componets

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Corsair 2GB DDR 400 SDRAM dual channel
BFG GeForce 7800 GT OC 256mb
80GB HDD

even with the 2gigs start up is still slow, wen starting up MSN messenger and iTunes. Just with those 2 programs it takes 2+ mins to be able to do anything. Is this slow down caused by lack of CPU space? or something else?? Also Alt+Tabbing to other programs is very slow. when i alt tab to a different program the it takes atlease 30-60 seconds to show.

[Macht]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

i have 1gig of memory thats the first thing i upgraded when i got it.
its a dell E521 customized/ took all the factory parts out and added better but affordable parts
main componets
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Corsair 2GB DDR 400 SDRAM dual channel
BFG GeForce 7800 GT OC 256mb
80GB HDD
even with the 2gigs start up is still slow, wen starting up MSN messenger and iTunes. Just with those 2 programs it takes 2+ mins to be able to do anything. Is this slow down caused by lack of CPU space? or something else?? Also Alt+Tabbing to other programs is very slow. when i alt tab to a different program the it takes atlease 30-60 seconds to show.

I have to agree with Mhurron. According to that system's specs it should be capable of a max of 4GBs. The CPU is mostly for decompressing and decoding information. If your slowing is a result of multiple programs then as long as they are not something currently running like a movie sequence, then your issue is that there isn't enough space in the RAM to store everything and it's shoving it to Virtual which will slow you down.

Try bumping to your max 4GB first..

With the other issues you are having I would susspect you have something starting in your processes at startup that is slowing your system down to this extent. It's not normal if all you are opening is MSN messenger and iTunes to take 2+ min. I've got 1.2 GHz with 1GB RAM, GeForce FX 5300 w/ 64 MB Video RAM (Far less then your system) that get those open in 30 seconds or less.

Hell, even my Laptop with even lower specs then mentioned here can handle MSN Messenger and iTunes together just fine. Even with it's dying battery and other hardware about to die on that 8 year old system. Considering the abuse that systems taken I don't expect it to reach the Hardwares average lifespan of 14 years, but I'm still pretty damn impressed it's gotten to 8 years.

EDIT:

Somethings you might want to check to make sure isn't happening (Stuff I had to do with friends computers to fix their slow) is make sure you only have 1 Virus Scan program and make sure it's only running 1 instance. Multiple instance will create a perfomance sink were instance 1 checks a file then instance 2 checks the same file causing instance 1 recheck the same file going over and over till eventually the system crashes.

Make sure you don't have a worm, most worms will keep a constant like 60% ~ 80% of your CPU bogged down. Make sure there isn't anything Adware, Spyware, or Malware related on your system. Then also you might want to check in CTRL+ALT+DEL -> Process tab to see how much of the CPU the system it taking for what and investigate what program it is.

[Raydeus]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

It seems odd to have such a hit on performance with those two apps running, maybe there's a conflict caused by something you installed recently (either hardware or software).



For performance I'd suggest buying a new and faster HDD (for the OS and your files) and use your current one to handle temp files and virtual memory.

At least in my case doing that improved performance (specially multitasking) by a lot.

I use 3 partitions on my hard drive, one for OS and program files, one for my documents (the biggest partition) and one used for temp files and stuff like Torrents that are always a difficult to defrag. With a separate HDD for virtual memory.

That also made defrags really smooth and fast as well as improving performance.

[Macht]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

It seems odd to have such a hit on performance with those two apps running, maybe there's a conflict caused by something you installed recently (either hardware or software).
For performance I'd suggest buying a new and faster HDD (for the OS and your files) and use your current one to handle temp files and virtual memory.
At least in my case doing that improved performance (specially multitasking) by a lot.
I use 3 partitions on my hard drive, one for OS and program files, one for my documents (the biggest partition) and one used for temp files and stuff like Torrents that are always a difficult to defrag. With a separate HDD for virtual memory.
That also made defrags really smooth and fast as well as improving performance.

Lol, yeah 80GB HDs are excellent for temp and virtual memory. Especially if they are not on the same connection, have it on a separate connection creates a huge improvement when the system has to resort to virtual memory use.

[Ameroth]

Re: Look for a new Processor!!

Basically everything I was going to say has already been posted, so meh. Dual-core procs can get pricey, and not a lot of applications these days take full advantage of multi-core proccessors. I hear the Adobe Suite is an exception, and runs quite well with dual-core procs.

But like mentioned above, I'd suggest more RAM, or even a new HDD if your current one is slow, old, damaged, etc. Either of those will probably cost much less than a brand new dual-core proc.