My computer lags terribly, HELP NEEDED!!!

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

Hi everyone, my laptop started to lag, especially when I turn on photoshop, mozilla and skype. It seems that it doesn't have enough memory. I work a lot in photoshop and it just wastes my time. I tried to reinstall windows 7, it works better for some time, and then it starts to lag again. Please advice me what should I do in order to improve pc performance. Maybe to change any part. My budget doesnt allow me to buy a new laptop. Laptop Specs Dell Intel Core i3, 2.10 Ghz, 4 gb RAM, windows 7 64bit

GhislainG · Nov 1, 2014

If it has a single 4GB memory module, then order another one and install it. Other than increasing memory, you could also replace the hard disk with a much faster SSD, but that could be expensive if you need a large one.

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

GhislainG :

This. Trying to run a memory hog program like photoshop on a low powered dual core CPU with only 4GB of ram is a pretty terrible idea. Grab some more ram, or upgrade to a more powerful laptop.

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

Already ordered 4gb ram, can you please advice is it possible to change CPU to i5 or i7?

GhislainG · Nov 1, 2014

How could we answer that question? All you provided is that you have a laptop with 4GB of memory; the CPU often can't be upgraded in a laptop.

Edit: Are you using that laptop to learn Photoshop or do you earn a living doing it?

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

In some rare cases you can upgrade the CPU in a laptop, though it is generally not recommended as each machine has a specifically designed cooling solution built around the requirements of the CPU. The cooling solution for an i3 would not be anywhere near enough to effectively cool a more power CPU, so I'm afraid your only real options are an increase in RAM and possibly an SSD replacement for your current HDD. The only problem there is that in order for that to be really effective you would need to spend a few hundred pounds on buying a massive SSD, and that is money you apparently do not have.

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

Thanks for help, one more question, would you recommend to upgrade to windows 7?

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

sorry to windows 8

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

Denis Orlov :

Don't you already have that? Thus, did you mean Windows 8?

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

Yes, I mean windows 8. Do you recommend it?

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

Denis Orlov :

Though I have not personally used Windows 8 I have been informed that it is basically a refined version of Windows 7 in terms of how it makes use of system resources. In your situation having an OS that isn't too resource heavy would be a very good thing, and based on that information I would say that Windows 8 would be a good match for your needs.

Denis Orlov · Nov 1, 2014

thanks alot

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

Denis Orlov :

No problem

If you feel that your question has been answered, please select one of the posts as the correct answer so that anyone else with similar problems can more easily find it.

GhislainG · Nov 1, 2014

Denis Orlov :

You shouldn't expect Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 to make your laptop perform much better than it does with Windows 7.

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

GhislainG :

Are you sure about that? Because real world testing says otherwise:
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/10/gentlemen-start-your-benches-measuring-windows-8s-performance/

GhislainG · Nov 1, 2014

Read the link that you provided very carefully. Boot time is much faster, but applications' performance will not be that different. I know because I installed Windows 8 on a laptop that originally had XP, then 7 before 8. Same on a desktop that was upgraded from XP to Windows 8.1.

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

GhislainG :

8.1 is still, overall, an improvement on Windows 7, which is what the OP was asking. Certainly some areas such as gaming will not see massive improvements, but for other areas there will be marked improvements. In almost every single instance that would affect the OP, performance would be the same or better with Windows 8.

GhislainG · Nov 1, 2014

I agree and that's why I wrote that the OP shouldn't expect much better performance with Windows 8. I never implied that it would be slower, but if the OP doesn't have to buy it, then why not. Installing Windows 8.1 would be better than 8.

AdmiralDonut · Nov 1, 2014

GhislainG :

Agreed. If the OP doesn't have to buy it then upgrading to 8.1 would, overall, be better than sticking with 7. If purchasing the OS was on the cards then I would recommend the OP wait for the next iteration of Windows sometime next year.

My computer lags terribly, HELP NEEDED!!!

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