Dekstop Specs

[icetonez]

I bought a Dell Dimension desktop 2.5 years ago and it's already running slowly. Here are its stats:


OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
System Model Dimension 3000
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2992 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~2992 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A01, 8/24/2004
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 55.93 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 1.22 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

I would like a new desktop and was hoping someone could give me specs for a computer that would allow me to run PT, Stars, Browser etc at the same time without lag. Also any suggestions where to get the computer. I will most likely get another Dell unless I hear otherwise. I couldn't find this info in the FAQ and I'm pretty dumb when it comes to technology. So any help would be greatly appreciated.

[funkyworms]

First, your hardware is fine for what you want to do. You could spend $50 on 1gb RAM and your computer would run like a champ.

1) When was the last time you defragged?
2) What processes do you have running in the background?
3) Do you have any antivirus or antispyware software?
4) Have you ever done a clean install of Windows?

[kerowo]

What is your budget?

[Shoe Lace]

Your comp specs look fine for what you want to do. My other machine has the same basic specs (P4 3.0, 512mb, eide hd, etc) and ran poker software no problem. It's not a dell, but the specs are similar.

What did you have running when you pasted this info? 56mb of available ram is crazy low unless you had a ton of things open.

[icetonez]

[ QUOTE ]
1) When was the last time you defragged?

[/ QUOTE ]

Never. I'll do that next.

[ QUOTE ]
2) What processes do you have running in the background?

[/ QUOTE ]

There are ~60 processes running.

[ QUOTE ]
3) Do you have any antivirus or antispyware software?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have AVG; I need to run that again.

[ QUOTE ]
4) Have you ever done a clean install of Windows?

[/ QUOTE ]

No


I should also mention the other reason I wanted to get a new computer is the fact that this box creates a lot of heat in my room and sometimes sounds like a jet engine. I guess that means I need to install a new fan as well. So I need more RAM, and everytime I download a large file I have to delete something from my drive. So I need a second hard drive too.

[icetonez]

[ QUOTE ]
What is your budget?

[/ QUOTE ]

If I can't fix my computer and decide to go the new route I'd be looking to spend $500 or less. Is that reasonable?

[icetonez]

[ QUOTE ]
What did you have running when you pasted this info? 56mb of available ram is crazy low unless you had a ton of things open.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only programs I had open were Opera and AIM.

[Shoe Lace]

If you have 60 processes running there's many many things that are running other than Opera/aim.

Atm I have Opera open with 7 tabs, msn, an irc client, foobar (light weight mp3 player), and notepad open.

Total ram usage is: 239mb. 23 processes running. This is after having an uptime of 4 days. On a fresh reboot with nothing open my ram usage is at 115mb.

Take a screenshot of your task manager process list.

[funkyworms]

Your computer is a mess.

1) Download HijackThis and post your log here. DO NOT fix any items yet.
2) Achieve 20% free space your hard drive and run the disk defragmenter.
3) Run a full AVG scan.

[icetonez]