How to improve my PC performance? [HARDWARE]

[bornerwave]

Hi guys , this is my first post and I am new here , I would like to hear some advice/suggestions from the professionals here. Recently , my PC started lagging even when I'm not doing anything memory consuming, such as surfing the net... I suspect it is because of insufficient RAM memory or something? So I would like to ask if you guys could help me out in terms of giving me advice on what to buy to improve my PC performance, such as buying extra RAM or a SSD( please give me the size , a model if possible ). I do not know the voltage of my power supply but this is my system information , if it is incomplete , feel free to request here, i will get back to you guys ASAP. Note: The warranty for my pc is over, so I'm ready to open up my CPU casing

OS Name Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium
Version 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name SHAMUSSY-PC
System Manufacturer Hewlett-Packard
System Model p6590d
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU 750 @ 2.67GHz, 2668 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 6.07, 19/5/2010
SMBIOS Version 2.6
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale Singapore
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
User Name Shamussy-PC\Shamussy
Time Zone Malay Peninsula Standard Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.21 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.20 GB
Total Virtual Memory 6.42 GB
Available Virtual Memory 3.42 GB
Page File Space 3.21 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

Extra specifications
Graphic Card : ATI Raedon HD 5450
Motherboard model : MSI 2A9C
Processor: Intel i5 750 lynnfield socket 1156LGA

 

[eminus]

Adding more ram won't do you good till you change your OS to a 64bit version.

 

[ah hui]

Time to go DIY and change to the latest 4th gen core i3, i5 or i7 processors and motherboards ardy. Diy a new system to improve performance and no lag.

 

[terence52]

If you are on a tight budget and not gaming, Reformat the system, Add another 4GB of ram would do. A SSD would be optional.
Or if you have the budget. Follow what ah hui said.

 

[xhlee87]

Your computer is still relevant if it is for normal usage without gaming.

More like lack of maintenance and spywares caused your computer to lag.
Do a fresh format and it will be fine. 3gb of rams is enough too.

 

[bornerwave]

Time to go DIY and change to the latest 4th gen core i3, i5 or i7 processors and motherboards ardy. Diy a new system to improve performance and no lag.

haha , I'm extremely tight on budget , I'm a full time student studying about Cyber And Digital Security( Year 1 ) in TP haha, so I just started on touching computer components, I plan to spend less than $100 SGD on this slight makeover... but I know my graphic card is totally useless...

 

[bornerwave]

Adding more ram won't do you good till you change your OS to a 64bit version.

will I be able to upgrade to a 64 bit version when I add more RAM? For example, if I were to buy another 4GB Ram tomorrow, will it automatically upgrade to 64bit when I reformat my PC?

 

[bornerwave]

If you are on a tight budget and not gaming, Reformat the system, Add another 4GB of ram would do. A SSD would be optional.
Or if you have the budget. Follow what ah hui said.

i do know a 32bit system supports a maximum of 4GB of ram, but what i do not know is how to i upgrade to a 64bit version of windows 7? Will it automatically upgrade after i add the ram and reformat the pc?

 

[Nostalgiaa]

i do know a 32bit system supports a maximum of 4GB of ram, but what i do not know is how to i upgrade to a 64bit version of windows 7? Will it automatically upgrade after i add the ram and reformat the pc?

Reinstall the OS to a 64Bit version, only then can you make use of anything more than 4GB of ram.

 

[bornerwave]

Your computer is still relevant if it is for normal usage without gaming.

More like lack of maintenance and spywares caused your computer to lag.
Do a fresh format and it will be fine. 3gb of rams is enough too.

im not very sure about this haha , i do play games that consume quite a bit of memory such as Call Of Duty : Black Ops 2

 

[bornerwave]

Reinstall the OS to a 64Bit version, only then can you make use of anything more than 4GB of ram.

Hmmm... Can i just use the system recovery disc? Because my OS was pre installed when i bought this PC at the IT fair 2 years + back

 

[xhlee87]

Hmmm... Can i just use the system recovery disc? Because my OS was pre installed when i bought this PC at the IT fair 2 years + back

It will still be 32 bits.
Getting a new 64 bits os will cost u $100.
Value for money? Up for u to decide.
Go system setting and disable those visual effects.
Make sure u only run programs that u need in background.
If u are savy enough, turn off window services u do not need.
3gb is enough for gaming. Unless u game, surf website, listen to music and watch movie at the same time. U will need more. It all depend on how u use your com.

 

[Nostalgiaa]

Hmmm... Can i just use the system recovery disc? Because my OS was pre installed when i bought this PC at the IT fair 2 years + back

That's provided they have given you the 64-bit version of the recovery disc.
But I believe since it's already factory installed to 32-bit, your product key will be tied only to the 32-bit version, thus the 64-bit disc might not work.

Anyway, since you're from TP, there's something called Microsoft Dreamspark whereby students can get free academic software using their school email, or using an account generated already for you by your school. Best is that you check with your school whether such thing still exists. Might save you a couple of bucks.

Microsoft Windows 7 | Temasek Polytechnic - TPOLT - DreamSpark Premium | Academic Software Discounts

Anyway, before you do anything, it's best you check your system is 64-bit capable.

 

[bornerwave]

That's provided they have given you the 64-bit version of the recovery disc.
But I believe since it's already factory installed to 32-bit, your product key will be tied only to the 32-bit version, thus the 64-bit disc might not work.

Anyway, since you're from TP, there's something called Microsoft Dreamspark whereby students can get free OS using their school email, or using an account generated already from you school. Best is that you check with your school whether such thing still exists. Might save you a couple of bucks.


Anyway, before you do anything, it's best you check your system is 64-bit capable.

Yeap we do still use dreamspark, but the problem is, after 3 years, the OS i downloaded from dreamspark will not be usable... , dreamspark is also the place where i got visual studio from haha, hate C++ . Btw , how i do check if my system is 64-bit capable? sorry im a total idiot to IT haha

 

[bornerwave]

thanks for everyone's help , will only reply tomorrow morning or so off to bed

 

[Nostalgiaa]

Yeap we do still use dreamspark, but the problem is, after 3 years, the OS i downloaded from dreamspark will not be usable... , dreamspark is also the place where i got visual studio from haha, hate C++ . Btw , how i do check if my system is 64-bit capable? sorry im a total idiot to IT haha

I don't know about TP, but for my old school, SP, even after I've graduated I'm still able to use the free software, including operating systems. I believe it should be the same for TP.

Anyway, to check:

1.Open Performance Information and Tools: Clicking the Start button and then click Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools
2.Click View and print details
3.In the System section, you can see whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable

 

[Elijahonli]

actually 4Gb is quite decent for regular normal PC usage(even for gaming)

for an upgrade, i would suggest an SSD instead.... if your games are lagging then u have to upgrade that super weak graphics card too

 

[Elijahonli]

Yeap we do still use dreamspark, but the problem is, after 3 years, the OS i downloaded from dreamspark will not be usable... , dreamspark is also the place where i got visual studio from haha, hate C++ . Btw , how i do check if my system is 64-bit capable? sorry im a total idiot to IT haha

I don't know about TP, but for my old school, SP, even after I've graduated I'm still able to use the free software, including operating systems. I believe it should be the same for TP.

Anyway, to check:

1.Open Performance Information and Tools: Clicking the Start button and then click Control Panel. In the search box, type Performance Information and Tools, and then, in the list of results, click Performance Information and Tools
2.Click View and print details
3.In the System section, you can see whether or not you can run a 64-bit version of Windows under 64-bit capable

most PCS are already 64bit ready since the athlon 64 days so no worries about installing 64bit on your system

erh for once activated, you shouldnt worry, the license wun expire, and u have up to 24 mths access to the serial key should u require to reformat or something

 

[xhlee87]

LGA 1156 confirm 64 bits ready. Now is 2013 le.

 

[haylui]

spend money and improve.