|
can I speed up my pc?
|
|
|
zachzchw
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
14. March 2004 @ 07:36 |
Link to this message
|
|
I have an hp pavilion 320n, with amd athlon 2800+, and 512mb of ram. I keep the hard drive pretty empty. So, my question is this- what could I do to speed up the pc, and how does my athlon compare to pentium 4 processors? Thanks for any help anyone can give me.
plant seeds of thought, so that they may grow into fruitful blossoms of knowledge........
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
ken0042
Senior Member
|
17. March 2004 @ 11:30 |
Link to this message
|
|
To keep the speed up, keep the number of running processes as low as possible. Many applications will try to start processes as soon as the computer starts. If you are running 2000 or XP do a search for a program called "reg cleaner."
AMD vs. Pentium? I say Pentium runs smoother and a lot more stable. Others will disagree.
|
|
zachzchw
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
17. March 2004 @ 16:43 |
Link to this message
|
|
Thanks, Ken. Search for "reg cleaner" on the net or in my computer?
plant seeds of thought, so that they may grow into fruitful blossoms of knowledge........
|
Moderator
|
17. March 2004 @ 17:49 |
Link to this message
|
|
The net. It's a slick little utility that helps keep your registry free from leftover junk when you uninstall an app.
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33 |
Moderator
|
17. March 2004 @ 17:53 |
Link to this message
|
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33
|
Member
|
17. March 2004 @ 18:21 |
Link to this message
|
|
AMD vs. Pentium?
Well AMD is whooping Pentium as of right now with their 64bit processors. The 64bit puts the new 3.2Ghz HT processor to shame.
The stability issue...I've never had problems with AMD processors. My old 1700+ and my new 3400+ 64bit run perfectly, so does my P4 3.2 HT though. lol
So I guess if its just hardware/software issues that you might have that will make your computer run unstable/slower.
AMD Athlon 64bit FX-55 - OCed to 3.06Ghz -- Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe nForce4 SLI -- 4GB Dual Channel DDR400
2x 120GB Seagate 10K RPM RAID-0 -- 2x BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra 256MB PCI Express SLI -- Plextor PX-740A & TDK 40x20x52x -- Windows 7 64bit -- Maybe old and outdated but still runs quick lol
|
|
zachzchw
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
17. March 2004 @ 19:06 |
Link to this message
|
|
Okay, so its kind of a matter of personal opinion as far as athlon vs. pentium? How do I know if mine is a 64bit processor? It says Amd Athlon Xp processor 2800+ (2.08ghz)
plant seeds of thought, so that they may grow into fruitful blossoms of knowledge........
|
Moderator
|
18. March 2004 @ 19:30 |
Link to this message
|
|
AMD vs. Pentium is a Ford vs. Chevy thing. They're both good, they will both do what you want and neither is leaps and bounds better than the other one's comparable chip.
My killer sig came courtesy of bb "El Jefe" mayo.
The Forum Rules You Agreed To! http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/2487
"And there we saw the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" - Numbers 13:33
|
|
sadbad
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
18. March 2004 @ 23:20 |
Link to this message
|
|
I have registry cleaner, but I have never used to properly, ie. for cleaning registry and all, I guess I am a bit scared of erasing some important file.
Love Capturing!
|
|
Prisoner
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
19. March 2004 @ 10:34 |
Link to this message
|
|
Not a bad board, but its not a 64bit system. But don't worry about that. Something else that will help you increase a little bit of speed is to increase your Virtual memory setting for WinXP and if you want to spend money get 1Gb of Ram. But I don't think you need more ram, 512 is a lot.
Ken0042, good to see you still around. Are you going to go to Computer fest Mar 26-28? Good place of cheap hardware upgrades.
I am not a number
I am a Free Man
 |
|
fritchdog
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
19. March 2004 @ 19:17 |
Link to this message
|
|
Unfortunately your pc speed will be limited by your bus speed on your motherboard. HP probably used a cheaper chipset. Also, look for better ram tech such as DDR or Rambus, and higher ATA rate with the IDE hard drive, such as 133 and also 7200 over 5400 speed. These things are what really make your PC faster,not Processors (except for intense programs like high graphic games). Also, minimize the amount of programs running in the background. You can prevent some of the unnecessary programs that startup with windows by going to Start-->Run--> and typing msconfig. Choose the Startup tab and deselect the programs you don't need at startup. Don't guess though. Some of the programs are important to windows, be careful...... Depends on where your speed issues is at, opening folders, files, and basic programs, or gaming. Internet is strictly your connection (dialup, DSL, Cable, T1-3 oh yeah).
|
|
ken0042
Senior Member
|
23. March 2004 @ 07:10 |
Link to this message
|
Hey Prisoner. Good to see you too. I took a bit of a break for a while, but I'm back again. I hadn't heard of that Computer Fest. Where is it being held?
Just one thing to add to what fritchdog said: Quote:
Start-->Run--> and typing msconfig
That only works on Windows98 or ME. 2000 and XP require you to use the Reg Cleaner utility mentioned above.
|
|
Prisoner
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
23. March 2004 @ 16:36 |
Link to this message
|
If your in the Toronto area its at Hall C at the Ex (National Trade Centre in Exhibition Place.
Check out:
http://www.compfest.com/
I am not a number
I am a Free Man
|
|
fritchdog
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
23. March 2004 @ 18:07 |
Link to this message
|
|
Actually I am running winXP Pro and I can use the msconfig utility by typing at the run command line.
|
|
ken0042
Senior Member
|
24. March 2004 @ 04:50 |
Link to this message
|
|
I stand corrected. (Actually I'm sitting down.)
I do know it doesn't work in 2000. However I may be one of the few people remaining who's still living in the 90's.
That's what I figured, Prisoner. No plans to go to Toronto any time in the near future.
|
|
ganz
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
27. March 2004 @ 19:02 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
AMD vs. Pentium?
Well AMD is whooping Pentium as of right now with their 64bit processors. The 64bit puts the new 3.2Ghz HT processor to shame.
Ha... The Athlon 64's don't whip the p4 3.2's with HT... Have you had a look at Tom's Hardware Guide? P4 leads in almost every benchmark catergory, you should check your info again... The Athlon 64's are a novelty right now, because there isn't a good 64 bit desktop OS yet... Until it can get into some true 64 bit computing its like I said, a novelty.
Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz w/ HT @ 3.06 Ghz
Abit IS7 Motherboard
512 MB PC 2700 DDR Ram
Benq DW400A DVD+R/+RW
Samsung 80 GB 7200 RPM HDD
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
"I've seen what happens to the wicked and proud when they decide to take on the throne for the crown
|
|
LordZuul
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
28. March 2004 @ 14:06 |
Link to this message
|
|
Another place to clean out is the prefetch directory... The prefetch contains a cache of files that windows thinks that it will need... You will
It is found in c:\windows\prefetch.
If you go to that directory you will find things like system tray utilities, winamp, notepad (if you constantly use it to view txt files). It is safe to remove all the *.pf files from this directory (windows does not seem to remove prefetched files that is doesn't need). Windows will happily recreate the contents of this directory as it need to.
Personally, I try to keep the number of files in this directory under 200... And I have also been told that if you are using NTFS and have compressed your hard drive, to uncompress this directory for just that extra bit of umph...
:: LZ ::
 |
|
LordZuul
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
28. March 2004 @ 14:08 |
Link to this message
|
|
Oh yes, I forgot to add... if you are using an AMD 64bit processor, and you are running Windows XP, you could always try the 64bit Windows XP beta... It runs a treat...
:: LZ ::
|
|
ganz
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
29. March 2004 @ 10:05 |
Link to this message
|
|
in the 64 bit of winxp, the athlon 64 should be awesome, but I know in 32 bit xp, it isn't anything special.
Pentium 4 2.8 Ghz w/ HT @ 3.06 Ghz
Abit IS7 Motherboard
512 MB PC 2700 DDR Ram
Benq DW400A DVD+R/+RW
Samsung 80 GB 7200 RPM HDD
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro
"I've seen what happens to the wicked and proud when they decide to take on the throne for the crown
|
|
Praetor
Moderator
|
5. April 2004 @ 17:42 |
Link to this message
|
Quote:
AMD vs. Pentium is a Ford vs. Chevy thing. They're both good, they will both do what you want and neither is leaps and bounds better than the other one's comparable chip.
Very well said. Furthermore, everyone, for some reason is so wrapt with the clock speed of their CPU -- most computer engineers will tell you that the bottleneck is the memory units! :-)
As for the AMD64 vs P4EE debate, as far as WORK applications go (everything from database processing to to video encoding) goes, if there is support for it, the AMD64s will destroy the P4EE. If there is no support then odds are that the AMD64 will win but its down to minute differences. As far as games go, for all the games that are (legally) out now, whether you have a AMD64 or P4EE thats more performance that you really need regardless. Obviously there is and advantage for the P4EE and it is not a surprise if games come out ahead -- thats because 64bit support hasnt been provided yet.
Yes, bragging rights, bragging rights but do realize that most of the benchmarks out there do not test a CPU in ways that will be practical on a day to day basis (unless you do intend to run UT2004 24hours a day for the rest of your life hehe). Of course, bragging rights arent gonna pay the bills or get you more headshots either :P
Quote:
Ha... The Athlon 64's don't whip the p4 3.2's with HT... Have you had a look at Tom's Hardware Guide? P4 leads in almost every benchmark catergory, you should check your info again... The Athlon 64's are a novelty right now, because there isn't a good 64 bit desktop OS yet... Until it can get into some true 64 bit computing its like I said, a novelty.
Perhaps you missed Linux? ;-) And Tom's Hardware guide is hardly the be-all end-all of reviews.You are correct in saying that the A64 does not WHIP the P43.2EE --- neither does it go the other way. Again see my comments on the above regarding work vs play.
Quote:
in the 64 bit of winxp, the athlon 64 should be awesome, but I know in 32 bit xp, it isn't anything special.
As expected, when you run 64Bit procs in a 32bit environment it introduced an increase overhead at a very low level (which is bad) for the processor; think of it as 'safe mode'. If you play in a 64bit environment then the A64 will annihilate the P4EE anyday -- if not only for then reason that the P4EE wont be able to play in the 64bit playpen.
You may argue that "well we live in a 32bit world blah blah blah" -- true -- FOR NOW. But we cant (or want) to stay in a 32bit environment for the rest of our lives now do we? ;-) AMD engineers should get lots of credit for creating a FEASIBLE transition processor that competes very well (i wont pass judgement on which is better than which cuz it bloody hell doesnt matter) on the 32bit platforms but also allows you to work in a 64bit environment very well too.
|
|
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
LordZuul
Suspended due to non-functional email address
|
5. April 2004 @ 18:11 |
Link to this message
|
|
Okay... back to the original reason for this topic... speeding up...
To sum up what is alread here...
1. Optimize your hard drive...
To run Disk Defragmenter, follow these directions:
* Single-click the Start button, mouse-over Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then single-click Disk Defragmenter.
* Select the drive you'd like to defragment and hit the Settings button.
* On the Disk Defragmenter Settings menu checkmark "Rearrange program files so my programs start faster" and "Check drive for errors." Hit OK to go back to the first screen.
Hit OK to begin the process.
* For a graphical representation of how it works, hit the Show Details button.
* Come back in a few hours after the process is finished.
2. Disable all startups, services and apps that are no longer used or aren't complete necessary. Windows XP has several services running in the background. But did you know that you don't need all of those services turned on? You can turn some of them off for a leaner Windows XP.
Here are three examples of services in XP that you may not need turned on all the time:
* Automatic Updates - Used to see if there are any updates available for download. I choose to manually update due to the very long lag time from when an update is available to when WinXP reports it. If you decide to disable this service, it's very important that you check the Windows Update site often to ensure the latest patches are installed. Take note: Manual (and Automatic) update via the Windows Update website requires that a component called Cryptographic Services is running. Place this service in automatic mode if you do not wish to update manually.
* Help and Support - Required for Microsoft's online help documents. If you ever use Help and Support, this service will be placed back in automatic mode even if you've already disabled this service. I try to avoid as much Microsoft help as I can.
* Messenger - Sends messages between clients and servers. Not needed under normal conditions at your home. This has nothing to do with MSN Messenger, nor is it WinPopUp.
3. RAM is cheap right now... Install more of it.
4. Update your device drivers (this is a pitfall that I fell into a little while ago, the new device drivers made a huge difference).
5. Upgrade your video card. (Without getting into the battle of which card is better, if you have not updated your video card in a while, its going to make a difference).
:: LZ ::
|
