Why is my PC running slow?

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

My PC is only a year old and even small things like opening a new tab or opening the calculator takes a few seconds most of the time. I've run virus/malware scans, defragged my HDD and deleted any programs I don't use and nothing has solved the problem. My PC just does everything slowly and it's driving me nuts and I have no idea what to do. I don't want to have to do a clean install and have to reinstall everything.

My PC:
i5-4670k @ 4.4 Ghz
GTX 770 OC
8 GB G skill RAM
750 Corsair PSU

Thanks.

jbrown156 · Oct 13, 2014

Stealth2668 :

have you tried a fresh install of windows ?
have you check the pc temps ?
whats the cpu usage and ram usage in task manager ?

TStahler · Oct 13, 2014

You could always try pulling all of your personal files and reinstall the operating system. I doubt that it is your components. It could be overheating though. You could remove the heatsink off of the cpu, reapply thermal paste, such as Arctic Silver, and see if that helps things along. And while your case is open, you can spray compressed air to clean out the case. You could try an aftermarket heatsink for the cpu, or even add more case fans. Those are all cost effective measures that could speed up your system.

I hope that helps.

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

I'd like to avoid a clean install if possible because I'm pretty busy with studies right now. I use HWinfo and my pc temps are fine and usage is minimal (less than 50% at all time unless gaming) which is what I don't understand; at least if it was maxed there would be something clearly wrong but it seems my pc is just fine and it still runs slow most of the time. Also, my HDD is only half full.

jbrown156 · Oct 13, 2014

ok so its not a hardware issue then .. i think you are gonna have to face the music and find some time and do a fresh windows install and save your self the problem.. this is not a hardware problem seems as though heat and usage checks out ... its definitely the os slowing down

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

TStahler :

Ya but I don't think heat is the problem. I checked my temps and they are normal (currently 25-30 C). I also have a coolermaster hyper evo 212 cpu cooler. I also have a fan in the front, back and top of my case.

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

jbrown156 :

*sigh* ya I was afraid of that. If that's the case, will I lose the licenses of programs that need a key to function. I have VAC for example (voice activated commands) and I purchased it digitally. If I do a clean install, will I have to buy it again?

jbrown156 · Oct 13, 2014

am not familliar with that program so i honestly dont know about the license part .. however what i know is that the clean install will work wonders for your pc

TStahler · Oct 13, 2014

As far as licenses go, You could contact the vendor that sold you the program and explain to them that you need to do a hard install on your computer. They could either revalidate your license or at the very least, give you a new one given the extenuating circumstances.

boosted1g · Oct 13, 2014

Any program you bought should have emailed you a license key.

Not all virus scanner programs are equal. AVG is awful and McAfee is ueless.
Windows scan is a complete waste of time.
Did you try scanning with malwarebytes??

I would wonder if you are stuck in PIO mode, but your hardware should be new enough to not have that problem.

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

boosted1g :

I used malwarebytes along with AVG free. Are keys reusable? I heard if you don't change your mobo it should still work. Like I'll be able to reuse my windows 8.1 key for the clean install right?

IamTimTech · Oct 13, 2014

When I get a computer into the shop is test the memory and the hard drive. If you have a seagate drive I would start there. If those both check out it's normally malware which is just an easy wipe and reload. For antivirus I either install Vipre or BitDefender depending on if they wish to pay or go the free route.

burdenbound · Oct 13, 2014

With windows 8 you can even use a new motherboard if you want to, microsoft changed their policy/validation so it's not like windows 7 were you couldn't move the system it was on.

Like a previous poster said, if the manufacturer of your software is worth anything they should have provided you with a key to activate it, shouldn't be locked to your computer.

If a fresh install doesn't help your system out I would invest in an SSD for your OS and just use your current drive as storage.

Stealth2668 · Oct 13, 2014

IamTimTech :

Ya I have a 1TB Seagate HDD. I ran the HDD test in command promt to check for error but it said everything was fine. Not sure how to check RAM though.

IamTimTech · Oct 13, 2014

Try WD's Diagnostic Tool and do a full test

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=612&sid=3

To test your memory

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/diagnosing-memory-problems-on-your-computer

If your HDD tests fine, and your memory tests fine (which it should) then you are most likely victim of malware.

TStahler · Oct 13, 2014

I usually just create a cd-rom of MemTest86+ and boot it up with that to test memory. To me, I find it to do a thorough job checking for memory problems. Just make sure that it is the plus version. It is free software.

Stealth2668 · Oct 14, 2014

Ok, thanks for the help everyone. I will probably have to do a clean install at some point

jbrown156 · Oct 14, 2014

Stealth2668 :

sorry bro thats jus the way it is ..

Why is my PC running slow?

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