How can i speed up my computer?

Question

I have a Acer aspire T180. I use it primarilly for heavy image manipulation.
I have upgraded the ram from 512mb to 2 1/2GB. What else can i do to speed up the performance? The processor is a AMD Athlon 64 x2 3600. Is it worth changing this? If so.....what to?

It is running very good for normal operations with vista etc. It when i start working on very large photoshop documents etc that things start chugging! I have some very high resolution images and these seem to take several minutes to open! What can i do to assist that?

Answer 1

Large image manipulation on a high resolution, but you didn't mention a video card. Aside from the memory thing that everyone already hit on, invest in good graphics card. Depending on how important it is to you (like, do you do this image stuff for money?) you might want to look into one of the high-end nvidia quattro boards. If it is casual image stuff, just a decent card would do...like an nvidia 8 series or ATI 2600HD.

It seems that a good video card could eliminate your problem since you are running higher resolutions.

Answer 2

If your virus/spyware free, there are a couple things you can do get your computer working faster. If you using your laptop for normal stuff and not gaming. You got a good setup. You certainly don't need more RAM you just need to perform a few maintenance task.

Firstly, if you haven't cleaned your registry in a while. This is necessary. Your registry holds all the information regarding updates, installs, un-installs etc. Each one of those events produces a key. That key needs your PC's resources and free space. So, if you clean your registry, you make more resources available for speed. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it.
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/what-is-the-best-registry-cleaner.html

2. Clear your Windows cache files, this is your temporary file. It can grow up to a large volume and stop your computer from using RAM properly. In a sense slow it down by preventing it from using free space.Here is how:

1. Quit Internet Explorer, Firefox, or any other web browser
2. Click Start, click "Control Panel", and then double-click "Internet Options".
3. On the General tab, click "Delete Files" under Temporary Internet Files.
4. In the Delete Files dialog box, click to select the "Delete all offline content" check box , and then click OK.
5. Click OK.

3. Manage your startups. Your excess CPU usage is due to too many programs running in the background. You can cut these to barebones by alter your msconfig. Here is how:

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
4. In the "system configuration utility",click either "service" or "startup" tab
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer using.
6. Click "OK"

Other great tip is increasing your virtual memory to simulate more RAM. This will give you a bit more resources for multiple program use or CPU heavy programs. Check the link to alter your virtual memory spec.

Hope this link helps. Shows you how to do everything step by step. You should get a least 60% more resources and speed
if you follow the tips.

Answer 3

2 1/2 GB of ram is very strange. It should be 1, 2, or 4 identical sticks so they work in pairs. You probably have 2 x 1GB sticks and a HALF GB? Remove the half gig stick.
The processor isnt too bad, have you done the usual disc cleanup and defrag to tidy up your hard drive? (start, accessories, system tools) Try this, then make sure the RAM you have matches.

Answer 4

First of all, if you want fast. Spend more than $400 on a computer.
Ok, get rid of the 512mb stick in your system, if its different speed or latency than the 2 1gb its gona slow them down to its speed. Make sure your memory is dual channel, and upgrade your video card.
Upgrading the processor prolly wont do much because the rest of the system is bargain basement. No need to shine a turd.

Answer 5

Most computer users have been trained that if you want more speed for your computer, then add more memory. Well, this is true, in certain circumstances. But for most of the times, it really is just bad files in your registry files. Corrupted or missing registry files can make your computer too slow.
The registry is a main part of your computer's Operating System. With time, as you use Windows and install and uninstall programs, your registry will get congested and full of errors. So your computer could slow down. So, if you can clean it up this problem can be solved.Sometimes you can speed computer up by 300%. To clean up registry,You can download a software called regsitry cleaner---Clean registry,remnant,corrupt files and temp files,history,cookies,etc.. This site:
http://www.fix-system.com/index.php?t=fixsys
lists top 5 registry cleaner,you can download and scan for free.
Good luck!

Answer 6

AMD is NOT good Processor, Only INTEL Core 2 DUO.
and how much your Processor Speed? it must be more than 1.7GHz.
the RAM is like Power More, and Processor is the SPEED
and what about your Graphic Card?
3 things is very important : Processor , Graphic Card , RAM

Answer 7

First Disable unnecessary programs from starting when you start windows

Start>Run>type in MSCONFIG>Startup tab - uncheck any program you don't want to run when you start Windows
For more info see the links below

Streamline your startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/index.php
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html
http://www.greatis.com/appdata/
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html

Then disable unnecessary services
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm


Then read these

Basic computer maintenance everyone should do
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650

Understanding, Cleaning And Preventing Spyware
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25834

Slow Computer? Check here first; it may not be malware
http://www.castlecops.com/t175258-Slow_Computer_Check_here_first_it_may_not_be_malware.html

Slow Computer Checklist
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic44694.html


Last but not least read these for some great tips!

How to Speed Up Windows Boot Time
http://www.pchell.com/support/how_to_speed_up_windows_boot_time.shtml
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1786122,00.asp
http://www.pcguide.com/opt/opt/bootSpeed-c.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=235571

Answer 8

Fit a Turbo Charger

Answer 9

right click MyComputer
from the top tabs choose advanced
in the performance choose settings
coose: adjust for best performance.
click ok.

second method : delete temporary files
Start->Run->write temp -> press Enter
and delete files

Start->Run->write %temp% ->press Enter
and delete files

you can also delete temporary internet files


these methods will speed your PC.


http://fullguide.blogspot.com
http://finearts1.blogspot.com
http://booster.110mb.com

Answer 10

Well
Ccleaner is the application I use to clean up my system when my pc slows down because of viruses, trojans or malwares. Free Download here: http://bitly.com/UrARzw
It works very well.
Cheers ;)