why does my PC lag even though i have 512MB of Ram???

[Ryan]

YOu know, some people really shouldn't have access to computers, and Solodays is one of them.

 

[brettjrob]

From the sounds of your system specs it sounds like it's an eMachines or something... the only real solution is to hope for a severe lightning storm real soon and leave the PC on or something so you have an excuse to get a new one. Sorry, it's just that EVERY component in that PC is outdated and would be the bottleneck in any halfway decent system. Hell, even an upgrade to an AMD760 mobo, 1.2GHz Duron and 256MB PC1600 would probably help.

Seriously, though, you need a new system. Look around at NewEgg, or even browse the For Sale forum, and you'll probably come up with something that's a significant improvement for under $500.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: Budman

Originally posted by: nick1985
omg!!! every piece of hardware in that thing sucks. and your wondering why its slow???

hahah so true,what a peice of crap !!!

If I was to build a pc with lag in mind this would be the system to build. :disgust:

While I agree with everyone that nobody with system specs like that should be surprised when it lags every once in a while, I havta disagree where it is a complete "piece of crap".

My 6 y/o son has his 1.4celery (using a powerleap in an old intel board) with 512mb of pc133 running Jedi KnightII, NOLFII, and NWN (we play coop). Granted, the huge difference is his ti4200 over the aforementioned 4meg integrated (no child of mine is every going to run integrated video.... I may allow him to warp his mind with needless violence, but I'll be damned if he doesn't get decent frame rates while doing so). The system ain't latest-and-greatest, but he plays on it and it doesn't lag one bit. It's the pefect system for a 6 y/o to beat the hell out of.

deadseasquirrel

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I bet it's your slow hard drive.

and what makes you so sure? HD's determine how fast your PC is? LOL

You're the one who came here asking for help... if you're going to mock someone who tries to help you, you can keep your crappy hard drive and crappy integraded video and your crappy processor and your crappy RAM cause you won't get any more help from me.

*EDITED FOR MORE CRAPPINESS*

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: tapir


As others have said, a full system spec list would be helpful, including what OS you are running. Has the system always been so laggy or is this a recent development?

It lag's occasionally, not all the time.


Windows XP
Celeron 1.30 GHz (w/256KB L2 cache)
512 PC133 SD
don't know what kinda HD it is.
Intel intergrated 4MB video card.
Motherboard = generic. Don't even have an AGP slot. <---pisses me off

Alright, first, the cpu: Its a celeron, any celeron is crap unless all you want to do is some web browsing, checking e-mail, or maybe even some office applicatiosn like word. Incase you don't know, even an Athlon XP 1700+ for under $50 can beat the latest Celeron should it even be 2.6Ghz, why? because thats slower than a P4 2.0Ghz Williamette and the 1700+ can beat it.

The RAM: 512MB is a good amount, but for video editing you'll need atleast 1GB. Also, you'll want DDR memory and not SDRAM. Today, your FSB is getting 133mhz of speed from the RAM, most newer computers are now getting 800mhz, see a difference?

HD: By the look of that setup, you're probably on a 5400RPM because even if you go out and buy a $1000 pre built computer, chances are it will use a 5400rpm drive which I think is crazy.

Video Card: 4MB and Intel and Video in the same sentence is like saying... "All I want to do is be able to see Internet Explorer, the pages beyond that, I don't know." Listen, that video card is really slow and ont top of that its 4mb! There are video cards now with 256MB available for the home computers!

DVD's: Your video card is doing nothing to help out and your cpu is lacking, so be glad you can even watch them to begin with.

Burning a CD: Your system is lacking from a hard drive point of view and so before you burn it has to copy all the files to another location, which will take tons of time, and then if you're making an audio CD and it has to convert songs from mp3>wav files so it can be heard on a standard CD player, expect slow speeds!

 

[gsaldivar]

I have the same "lag" problem on my 512mb system, after burning CD's etc. I was building a computer for a friend and temporarily upgraded my own machine with an additional 512mb purchased for his computer and guess what... no more lag problems after burning CD's... 🙂

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

What do I reccomend you do? If you can build a computer, do this:

XP 1700+ - Under $50
Mobo - Under $90 for a decent nforce2
Video card - Radeon 8500 or above for $50 up
RAM 512MB PC2100 - $73

So for that decent system, its only going to be $263 and no shipping charge on 3 of 4 items. All Prices are at newegg.com

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: tapir


As others have said, a full system spec list would be helpful, including what OS you are running. Has the system always been so laggy or is this a recent development?

It lag's occasionally, not all the time.


Windows XP
Celeron 1.30 GHz (w/256KB L2 cache)
512 PC133 SD
don't know what kinda HD it is.
Intel intergrated 4MB video card.
Motherboard = generic. Don't even have an AGP slot. <---pisses me off

Alright, first, the cpu: Its a celeron, any celeron is crap unless all you want to do is some web browsing, checking e-mail, or maybe even some office applicatiosn like word. Incase you don't know, even an Athlon XP 1700+ for under $50 can beat the latest Celeron should it even be 2.6Ghz, why? because thats slower than a P4 2.0Ghz Williamette and the 1700+ can beat it.

The RAM: 512MB is a good amount, but for video editing you'll need atleast 1GB. Also, you'll want DDR memory and not SDRAM. Today, your FSB is getting 133mhz of speed from the RAM, most newer computers are now getting 800mhz, see a difference?

HD: By the look of that setup, you're probably on a 5400RPM because even if you go out and buy a $1000 pre built computer, chances are it will use a 5400rpm drive which I think is crazy.

Video Card: 4MB and Intel and Video in the same sentence is like saying... "All I want to do is be able to see Internet Explorer, the pages beyond that, I don't know." Listen, that video card is really slow and ont top of that its 4mb! There are video cards now with 256MB available for the home computers!

DVD's: Your video card is doing nothing to help out and your cpu is lacking, so be glad you can even watch them to begin with.

Burning a CD: Your system is lacking from a hard drive point of view and so before you burn it has to copy all the files to another location, which will take tons of time, and then if you're making an audio CD and it has to convert songs from mp3>wav files so it can be heard on a standard CD player, expect slow speeds!

If I recall correctly, the minimum requirement for DVD playback was a Pentium II 350MHz. My P3 600MHz laptop has no trouble playing back a DVD smoothly. Its specs:
600MHz Pentium III
192MB PC100
8MB ATI Rage graphics (dedicated graphics RAM)
440BX chipset
WinXP

Your system should handle DVD's with no problem.
Burning a CD - generally, I'd advise leaving the PC alone for this. My Tbred 2100@2600 (2.2GHz I think it is) with 1GB of PC3200 is a bit unresponsive while it's burning a CD, so I just let it do its thing then.
Video editing: yes, upgrade. Get a new motherboard, CPU, videocard, and RAM - 2GHz+, 1GB PC3200 RAM, Geforce2 (videocard won't help a whole lot past this for video editing, as it's just 2D) or above, and an nForce2-based motherboard, or something comparable from Intel. Rendering video is a CPU intensive process. However, having a super-fast processor with a slow subsystem (motherboard and RAM) is not good either, as the fast CPU will be starving for data to process.

Some things to do in the meantime:
Get updated chipset drivers
Make sure DMA is enabled on the hard drives and the DVD drive.

 

[magomago]

Burning a CD - generally, I'd advise leaving the PC alone for this. My Tbred 2100@2600 (2.2GHz I think it is) with 1GB of PC3200 is a bit unresponsive while it's burning a CD, so I just let it do its thing then.

Hrmm...I think something maybe wrong with your system. I have a 1700+ @ 1750Mhz(~2200+) and 512 megs of pc2700 ram and I burn cds at max speed (Well it doesn't hit max speed till the end 😉 ) while photoshopping and chatting on AIM and surfing AT. And I don't lag (until I do some insane filter on Photoshop 😉 But I do simple things like cut out people from pictures and stuff like that) at all

 

[RollWave]

my question for the guy is HOW does he do intense video editting without a VIDEO card?

EDIT: also, I dont think that 32 or 64mb of vid memory would be excessive if you dont game. GEEZ 4 mb? I had a 133mhz Packard bell that had 8mb! WOW

 

[Mday]

your video card slows your dvd.
your HDD slows your cd and video editting.
your RAM slows your video editting.

your entire computer if you're doing all 3 at once.

do you have some service on xp running that should not be which is taking up system resources?

 

[RanDum72]

If the Celeron is based on the PIII Tualatin core, a 1.3ghz one won't be bad at all. If its based on the p4, then it does suck.
My opinion is the first thing that needs to be upgraded is the video card. You can get PCI versions of Radeon's and even nvidia FX's. For DVD playback, an ATI card would probably be better.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I bet it's your slow hard drive.

and what makes you so sure? HD's determine how fast your PC is? LOL

I see your problem...you have no idea what you are talking about!

And yes, a slow HD (old ass 5400RPM drive) will make your system feel sluggish compared to a newer, faster HD.

And the only thing that makes me LOL is the fact that you think HD speed doesn't account for much in a PC's overall speed.

The guy was trying to help you out with your problem dude. I suggest losing the attitude, ESPECIALLY when you have no idea what you are talking about.

I bet this guy is stuffing memory stick after memory stick in an eMachine. I say stick some more memory in that thing. 4GB should make it REALLY fast.

 

[mechBgon]

Solodays, if you want a no-cost solution, I'll start with this:

• If your system is a pre-built system such as a HP, Compaq, Dell, Emachines, Gateway, or any other off-the-shelf system, it probably has some software that runs when the system starts up and stays running to "babysit" you. That stuff eats up memory and breaks your system's concentration, so to speak. Go into Add/Remove Programs and pry that junk loose! 😛 Everything you don't actually use, peel it off.
• Empty your Recycle Bin.
• Reduce your Internet Explorer cache size to 1 megabyte, delete all offline files it's hoarded up, and then run a Defragment on your hard drive.

Beyond that, you're looking at some hardware upgrades. If you get to the point where you're ready to drop some bills on it, this is a great place to get suggestions.

 

[jm0ris0n]

You could format the drive and do a fresh install o everything. This would speed things up some.

A less drastic approach is to enable dma.

A P3 celeron w/ 256k cache isn't really all that bad, and 512MB ram is a good footprint. The motherboard chipset and hardrive speed are the 2 main things holding you back. DVDs will playback smoother with any ATI videocard that is either a Rage 128 card or an ATI radeon variety card.

Good Luck

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Solodays
This doesn't seem right to me. My PC sometimes lags when i watch a DVD video, burning a CD, doing some intense video editing, etc.. I could'nt find a reason why it lags. I have half gig of memory for crying out loud!

Check out this thread, check out the link in the first post.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I bet it's your slow hard drive.

and what makes you so sure? HD's determine how fast your PC is? LOL

I see your problem...you have no idea what you are talking about!

And yes, a slow HD (old ass 5400RPM drive) will make your system feel sluggish compared to a newer, faster HD.

And the only thing that makes me LOL is the fact that you think HD speed doesn't account for much in a PC's overall speed.

The guy was trying to help you out with your problem dude. I suggest losing the attitude, ESPECIALLY when you have no idea what you are talking about.

I bet this guy is stuffing memory stick after memory stick in an eMachine. I say stick some more memory in that thing. 4GB should make it REALLY fast.

Don't even bother trying to convince him he's wrong... sounds like he thinks his rig is bad ass and doesn't want to be told it's not. Notice he hasn't posted since he threw his system specs up there and everyone basically laughed him out of the thread because of what he's trying to do with that thing.

 

[Solodays]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Solodays

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I bet it's your slow hard drive.

and what makes you so sure? HD's determine how fast your PC is? LOL

You're the one who came here asking for help... if you're going to mock someone who tries to help you, you can keep your crappy hard drive and crappy integraded video and your crappy processor and your crappy RAM cause you won't get any more help from me.

*EDITED FOR MORE CRAPPINESS*

calm down mate, that's not what i was intended to say. you take it too seriously. Yes, i'm computer illiterate.

anyways, I'm not gonna upgrade my HD, videocard, CPU, etc..upgradeing all that components is basicly building a new PC. ah..i would rather wait for couple of years and see what's happens. Other than the lag, it's still an decent PC. I was thinking of getting the Nvidia MX440 PCI though. how the PCI compare to the AGP version?

Thanks.

 

[Jeff7181]

Nor should you upgrade it... it's not worth it. You'll spend 200-300 and still not be able to do what you want. You'd be better off building a new one that's fairly decent for $500 or so, and selling that one for $100. It's gonna be hard to get a computer that will do video encoding/editing at a decent speed for less than $1000. I'm surprised you're doing it at all with what you have... I'd get frustrated and say "screw this" and walk away, lol.

Smart, cheap, effective upgrade right now would be a hard drive... a Western Digital Caviar SE to be specific... however, any 7200 RPM drive today will be better than what you have now.

To give you an idea of why hard drive speed effects the overall performance of the computer...

The hard drive is the slowest link... other than CD-ROM and floppy drives and most internet connections. Even with a good 7200 RPM drive, you're lucky to get 40 MB per second of sustained data transfer. In contrast, PC2100 (DDR266) RAM can transfer up to 2,100 MB per second... which in reality, it's actually closer to about 1500 or 1600. And data can be transferred from the CPU to it's internal cache memory anywhere between 10,000 and 20,000 MB per second. So when you consider that your CPU can move 20,000 MB per second, and your RAM can move 1600 MB per second... a hard drive that can only move 40 MB per second is a HUGE bottleneck.

The bottleneck becomes more of an issue when you're doing something that requires more RAM than you have, in which case, Windows uses a section of the hard drive for virtual memory, where things that can't fit into RAM are stored... so that REALLY slows things down.

I won't get into any more detail than that. There are other factors that influence the speed of the drive, and in turn, the speed of the computer as a whole. But basically, a hard drive would be the cheapest, most effective upgrade for you right now... and it can be done for under $100... even under $50 if you shop around and get a small (20-40 GB) 7200 RPM drive.

 

[Mday]

oh, i have a p3 1GHz, 512 MB of RAM, and i dont get any lag while doing such things. running win98se of course...

 

[Viper96720]

LOL the way solodays posted the first couple of replies. Looked like he was out to catch some fish.

 

[DSE]

Proc is fine. I've got ~400mhz systems playing DVDs fine.

Only way that a new video card will help is by giving video card it's own memory, so that your system does not have to share it's memory bandwidth with video. For DVD playback, most video cards don't help your processor with DVD decoding. ATI does some, but if you can't do it with a 1+ghz processor, an ATI card won't help you. As for video editing, a video card won't help at all. This is a processor, memory and hdd intensive task. If you're rendering 3D graphics, a video card would help, but not just video editing.

System lag while burning a CD just might be limitation of your MB's I/O subsystem and processor. Burning music CDs from mp3s will be a little harder on your system than copying from CD to CD or just writing a data CD because you're asking the system to decode from mp3 to wav on the fly while burning the CD.

Video editing... as much as these guys are putting you down for your system specs, I've seen much better machines get crippled while doing video editing. It's a pretty heavy load for most systems.

If you're happy with it, for the most part, then leave it alone, for the most part. First thing you should look at is software. Make sure you don't have Kazaa running in the background, other software that takes up resources. Then maybe look into spending $30 or so for a 32MB~64MB video card. Someone mentioned an ATI card, not a bad idea for DVD playback. Then I'd look at a new hdd, and that would depend on your storage needs. A faster hdd will help in making the system feel snappier and help with large batch processing (video editing)

Good luck