Storage problems with new build

DownTheSky

Senior member
Apr 7, 2013
785
154
106
Made a new PC recently and I've been having problems with it since day 1.
Config is as follows:
MB: Gigabyte H81M-HD3
CPU: i3 4130
Ram: 4gb DDR3-1600
HDD : WD Blue 1TB 64Mb cache EZEX
OS: Win7 64bit, latest drivers, AHCI mode

What it happens is the PC just doesn't feel snappy enough. Copying and moving files takes a long time, with speeds down to 25MB/s. Installing games is the same. Also PC seems to crawl to a halt when trying to do other things while downloading torrents. In general anything with high disk usage makes it almost unresponsive, Chrome even freezes. I didn't experience any of these problems on my old PC which uses an old SATA1 WD 500Gb hdd.

These are the HDtune graphs:
-safemode
BPcFEOM.png


-normal w/o any programs running
ZEm6vJn.png


They look slightly off to say the least.
SMART tells me all is ok. Surface scan, no bads or anything.

I'm thinking it must be either the HDD or the mobo SATA controller. Help please!
 
Last edited:

Dahak

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2000
3,752
25
91
Those large spikes to seem odd. Have you tried it on another port? or tried a different sata cable?

And I am assuming this is the only drive in the machine?
 

razel

Platinum Member
May 14, 2002
2,337
90
101
Disk speed when copying is fine if it drops down. The smaller the files, the slower it gets. During torrents, if you are downloading alot you can also experience slowdowns.

I would focus adjusting buffers in your torrent program and plug in a good USB flash drive to use for ReadyBoost. 4GB of RAM might not be enough at certain times.
 

DownTheSky

Senior member
Apr 7, 2013
785
154
106
Those large spikes to seem odd. Have you tried it on another port? or tried a different sata cable?

And I am assuming this is the only drive in the machine?

Yes and yes. I'll try another HDD tomorrow see if there's any difference.
 

DownTheSky

Senior member
Apr 7, 2013
785
154
106
Disk speed when copying is fine if it drops down. The smaller the files, the slower it gets. During torrents, if you are downloading alot you can also experience slowdowns.

I would focus adjusting buffers in your torrent program and plug in a good USB flash drive to use for ReadyBoost. 4GB of RAM might not be enough at certain times.

Slowdowns maybe. Programs hanging? I doubt it. There's something definitely wrong it's not my imagination. As I've said, I'm coming from a slower PC with a slower HDD and had none of these problems.
 

Elixer

Lifer
May 7, 2002
10,371
762
126
Slowdowns maybe. Programs hanging? I doubt it. There's something definitely wrong it's not my imagination. As I've said, I'm coming from a slower PC with a slower HDD and had none of these problems.

Are you getting any errors/warnings in the event log ?