Computer seems 'slower' than before

Hey there folks.

I got a new computers:

asus P5Q motherboard
Q9550 2.8ghz cpu
spinpoint 1TB harddrive
buffalo firestix 2x2GB ram
geforce 8600GTS graphiccard

at first i installed vista home premium, but i didn't have a legimate key.. so i worked without for a week.
when your computer boots, you know when windows is loading, you get this little bar passing by:

[== ]

[ == ]

[ == ]

[ == ]

[= =]

[== ]

something like that
it used to pass by 6 and a half times. i found that wicked fast.
but now i had to register this home premium vista and i didn't have a key. i could get my hands on an ultimate tho so i did a format and get vista ultimate...
now the loading bar passed by like 20 times, + i feel my computer reacts a bit slower ...
i hate it, i got some good hardware and i want it to fly... any hints/tips i can do ? is there this huge difference between home premium and ultimate? otherwise i'll buy a home premium..

i'm scared that i slowed my computer down myself by having some hardware problems , had to replace ram but it's alright it's working now but before i realized it was my ram that wasnt working i added a new hard drive etc, (not to put my vista on) , so i just see it as an extra hdd but im afraid that this is effecting my computer's fastness... might be stupid to think but i do feel that his reactions are slower than before.

thanks in advance for any help.

i'm not a pro when it comes to computers but i'm learning and at least i manage to do a format ;p

before and after. still the same

How to generate a system health report:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] eport.html

checking the Reliability Monitor for errors:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] nitor.html

Troubleshooting Sequence:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] uence.html


How to check system files in Vista:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] mmand.html

How to perform a Startup repair:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] epair.html

How to perform a full system repair:
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] vista.html

Suggestions to Improve Performance
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/ [...] vista.html