Multitasking

[Lemodular]

I would like to know what you think the best way to configure a XP (pro) setup to multi task more effeciently. I multi task heavily and it seems to bog down my system yet task mngr shows CPU (3 ghz) idle at 90+ %. RAM is also hardly used (I have 2 gigs) at about 25-30% used. I sometime run quickpar, compressing, uncompressing, nero, web, etc.....I.. really multitask

How should I divert resources so the XP will handle multitasking better and faster?

 

[ColKurtz]

Normally, I'd say that as a rule of thumb memory is the most important HW resource - since it enbles the system to avoid constant paging. But if you're running several CPU-intensive applications, they might disagree and your processor might need upagrading.

But at 2G, there's little room for improvement and you say it' underutilized when you experience your problems anyway. Same for the CPU - 3GHz is pretty beefy (unless it's a Celeron, which is likely the root of your problem if it is).

Have you tried TweakXP and tried suggestions in the Performance Tweaks section?

 

[doan]

with 2GB ram and 3Ghz the next thing would be the hard drive. Even if you have the fastest drive, if your tasks are I/O intensive then this could be your bottle neck. For example if you're ripping CDs or DVDs to your system drive, overall performnace will drop even though CPU and ram usage is low. Adding a second drive in this case will help a lot.

 

[Blazer]

sounds like you would benefit from a high speed raid array to help complete those tasks sooner

 

[Lemodular]

Thanks or your suggestions. from what I gathered, I believe my problem may be the interphase with the HD. I have a ata100 160g seagate (8m, 7200). I think a dual SATA (raid) setup would help.

Would it help if I set my Proccessor Scheduling (in sys prop/advance/performance option) to "background services?" or system cache in Memory Usage?