[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Recently I've become frustrated with my computers speed, theres no problem with it, it's just not as fast as it could be.

I'm running Vista and I made the stupid decision to go for only 1GB instead of 2...

Never mind.. I'll get some more now :D

But I wanted some help as I've never changed anything to do with a computer (Hardware wise anyway) so I have no idea which RAM to buy.

I read somewhere that sometimes you have like, empty slots? and you can simply shove more into your motherboard instead of replacing what you have for a bigger bit?

I don't know.. I need help

[thingie2]

well first you need to find what you allready have, if you bought pre built, and want to keep the warrenty, you will need to take the computer back to the shop for them to install another gig of RAM, which will also mean you don't need to choose the right stick. However otherwise, you will need to get another 1GB stick (assuming you have 1*1GB at the moment) which is the same as what you have at the moment, however if you have 2*512MB it would probably be best to get 2*1GB sticks, but for that you will need to know which motherboard you have

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

I bought it pre-built, but customised. (Dell)

But I can't remember from when I chose the spec what the mobo is..

But I don't think Dell offer you the chance to change the motherboard, if they do I didn't.

So if you could either tell me how to find out what my motherboard is, or if you happen to know which mb they put in the Dell Inspiron 531's?

I've checked that it is definatly 1GB, and it must surely be 2 sticks of 512 meg because its dual core?


thanks,
Ollie.

[thingie2]

Well first of all, the Duel core part, is the CPU, not the RAM, however RAM can run in duel channel, but they are different things.

To find out what motherboard you have you could try Everest once installed, clcik motherboard, then motherboard again, then it should give the motherboard name.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by thingie2

Well first of all, the Duel core part, is the CPU, not the RAM, however RAM can run in duel channel, but they are different things.

Argh.. thats embarassing.. I knew they were different but I thought it all kinda worked in one unit.

See my RAM is pretty stable at 61% give or take a couple of percent.

Its my cores that are annoying me, occasionally theyll max out, or more often both toch 99% then come back down a bit.

I thought if I bought more RAM I sped up my CPU processes..

Thinking about it would I need a whole new (faster) CPU, say for arguments sake mine is 1.8GHz, (I don't know the figure off hand) would I have to buy a new one to get it to say 2.5?

I know I could overclock it, but TBH I'm not sure if its worth the risk, as surely I couldn't O/C it enormously without effecting cooling, otherwise Dell/CPU company would already have done it.

[thingie2]

First of all, what are you using to measure the RAM and CPU usage? and are you sure your reading it the right way, as you were saying the RAM was maxing out before.

But yes, if you don't want to overclock, you will need to buy a new proccesor to make it run faster, however, overclocking doesn't pose too much risk, aslong as you don't be silly. As for the cooling, if you only have the stock cooling, it won't overclock well, but I'm not sure how well AMD CPU's overclock anyway.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by thingie2

First of all, what are you using to measure the RAM and CPU usage? and are you sure your reading it the right way, as you were saying the RAM was maxing out before.

Its only a Vista siedbar gadget, I'm reading it fine, my RAM is (ATOW) 91%, however its usually more like 61%.

CPU Usage (ATOW) is jumping around between 22% and 45% (Total) and thats only running MSN, WLM and of course Opera for me to write this, also Media Center is on in the background, but it's not doing anything.

Surely this isn't that much to ask? I don't want half my processor to go with just the most basic tasks.

If I wasn't writing this I would be running a lot more programs, and more demanding ones, which is when it starts to get really high, and occasionally freeze altogether.

Originally Posted by thingie2

As for the cooling, if you only have the stock cooling, it won't overclock well, but I'm not sure how well AMD CPU's overclock anyway.

Yeah, it's nothing fancy, couple of basic thirty pence fans made in India for a thirtieth of a penny.

[Carbon]

Perhaps you have a lot of crapware running in the BG?

Might wanna make a thread in Windows forum and post a Hijackthis log.

[thingie2]

Also, something I have just through of, is it a PC or a Laptop? because (atleast on my brothers laptop) the CPU gets limited to about 30% in the normal power settings (however the bar still goes upto 100%) in order to save battery power, however you can set it to use it all in the power options. So if it's a laptop, try checking the power options.

Also, try checking in your Bios that you have multiple cores enabled, as that would limit the CPU.

And as Carbon said, take a look at cleaning out your computer, as I'm running WLM, Xfire, SuperAntiSpyware, Logitech setpoint, Coretemp, G15 LCD profiler, Avast, winpatrol, and Chrome, and my CPU barely ever gets about about 5% usage with all this open.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Ok thanks,

Its a Desktop,so that won't work, but I'll get back soon with a HJT.

I can check the BIOS if you want, but my gadget DOES give readings for both cores seperately, (different by a few percent as well, so its not just mirroring one of them)