Windows Slowing Over Time

[Ben90]

Hello there all you Computer Help people.

My problem appears to be Windows 7 throttling itself at random intervals. Once the throttling happens I notice that scrolling Firefox using the middle click becomes choppy, Windows GUI animations such as switching between previews on the taskbar lower in framerate, and certain non-Windows applications such as the Oscilloscope in Foobar2000 slow down.

My only known solution to the problem is to take any window and shake it around for about a second. This restores fluidity until the next seemingly random interval, anywhere from 5-30 minutes. It may be possible that this is normal windows behavior as the framerate seems to drop to 60, but I'm wondering if its possible to force it into a performance mode at all times.

This happens regardless of CPU frequency/C states and GPU frequency. Below is my Dxdiag for more info:

Time of this report: 11/18/2010, 01:34:55
Machine name: BEN1
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/28/09 14:47:25 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.7GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6136MB RAM
Page File: 1773MB used, 10494MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode


---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9460)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9460&SUBSYS_27001682&REV_00
Display Memory: 3826 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
Shared Memory: 2811 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (120Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: SyncMaster
Monitor Id: SAM04EA
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.883Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1047 (English)
Driver Version: 8.782.0.0
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/28/2010 18:54:02, 628224 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D720-11CF-2571-0A07BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x9460
SubSys ID: 0x27001682
Revision ID: 0x0000
D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

 

[daniel49]

I don't use win7 but I suppose you could try a few suggestions from this guy?
http://www.computingunleashed.com/speed-up-windows-7-ultimate-guide-to.html

 

[corkyg]

Have you ever defragged your drive or cleaned out the crap?

 

[Ben90]

[snip]Anyways, seems to be working like it should now

*edit*
See below.

 

[Ben90]

That's a negatory actually. I guess I wasn't on the computer long enough and jumped to conclusions.

Still slowing down to 60fps after an undefined amount of time.

 

[SirWilliam]

Have you ever defragged your drive or cleaned out the crap?

Thats my first impulse.
(The OP shakes around a window? Interesting will try that next time)
Defrag and clean out the left over folders that Win7 is hiding from you.
Unload any extra background stuff that is useless anyway..
SOMETHING HAS to be preoccupying your CPU to make it slow down so its a matter of finding it.
Have you installed every tool bar on earth in your internet explorer or Firefox? If you download stuff off the net and install it at the default level you will end up with chrome and a bunch of other "helpful" browser gadgets.
Are you on a network and is it secure?
A ball-ping hammer works to..

 

[TJCS]

You should also have a look at your program list. Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Look through the list of program you have installed and uninstall all unnecessary programs you do not use.

 

[TJCS]

If you are using a notebook, often times you might find power saving programs installed. If you are using a desktop be sure to set your power options to high performance. You should your basic system setup (cpu, memory, etc) so others can help you better.

 

[AstroGuardian]

Try finding a registry defragmenter...like the free Auslogics Registry defrag

 

[Ben90]

I forgot to mention that this is on a fresh install of Windows 7. I always keep a very tidy installation. My specs are below (and above) and I am using the high performance option in the power options.

i7-920
3x2GB RAM
4890
WD Black 640

 

[TJCS]

I forgot to mention that this is on a fresh install of Windows 7. I always keep a very tidy installation. My specs are below (and above) and I am using the high performance option in the power options.

i7-920
3x2GB RAM
4890
WD Black 640

These problems is happening on a fresh W7 install? Has your system ever been normal working properly (like without any of the problems you mentioned above)?

Update essential drivers (chipset, storage, video). I built a E4500 with Nvidia 7950GT and 2GB ram (this system is very weak compared to yours) and I have never seen this issue that you described.

 

[Ben90]

Oh, I guess I didn't quite make it clear in the OP, but I'm running the desktop at 120hz. You wouldn't be able to tell if Windows was doing this or not if you were only running at 60hz. I have a feeling that's whats going on here. After an amount of time, even on high performance mode, Windows is slowing down everything but the pointer if it doesn't detect any activities in need of the high performance. Dragging a window around wakes it up out of this minimal "sleep".

That's my conclusion at least.