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Easiest Fresh Install Ever!My computer was slow, and getting slower by the minute... Simple file operations and boot times were taking FOREVER, and it seemed to be getting worse with time.
Tried everything i could to fix it to avoid the extra work of a reinstall, and i mean i tried any and all gimmicks and quick fixes to improve system performance, but nothing helped. (a couple times i thought i had it sorted, but nooo..)
Sooo, after backing up my steamapps folder, firefox bookmarks, and of course all my documents/maps/music/etc, as well existing drivers with driver magician just in case, i loaded a previously image of a fresh windows 7 install, and proceeded to reload my core applications and drivers.
Surprisingly, i had most everything i use restored within a couple hours(minus windows updates and antivirus), and Shit is DAMN FAST now! So fast i don't even want use Windows Update or anything to fuck it up
I still have to decide what kind of antivirus/firewall i'm going to go with, as i don't think i'm going to use Avast/Commodo anymore.
Also, for the first time ever i tried Windows easy share to help with the transition, which was pretty successful at saving most of my windows settings, and desktop shortcuts, as well my pinned applications(which helped a lot).
I don't know how fast the computer would run without this combination because literally the first thing I ever do when I reinstall windows is install these two security applications. But I also know that I never had security problems, mostly because I'm also skeptical on clicking everything on the internet.
My machine hasnt been reformatted ever. Its still pretty fast.
Altough i did just double the ram and quadruple the number of cores....
My speed bottleneck is unfortunately my socket p cpu(my gpu, hdd access time get high marks).
I've considered upgrayedding the cpu, but i'd only be going from 2.6ghz to a little over 3ghz, and my cpu is not overclockable, so yeah..
I could very cheaply go from 4 to 8gb of 1066 ddr3, but do you think it would help any?
Striker: I barely use the internet for browsing and i don't download on this machine, i'm actually considering not installing antivrus on this rig. (i will still backup images regularly, in-case there are any problems)
So long as you have a 64bit install you can have up to 32Gb of ram.
If you still have a 32bit install then your RAM maxxes out at around 3.6Gb - so its WORTHLESS to have more than 4Gb.
If you do the math on the processor speed increase its a bit more than a 15% boost. It's all up to you though.
i DID ALSO google a convoluted way to overclock my current CPU, but i already have overheating issues, so maybe i won't try that
Also, Arctic Silver is your friend.
I have 16Gb ram and its PLENTY.
Other than that, another great way to speed up your PC is to get a small (120Gb) SSD and install Windows and all your favorite programs on it. Keep your HD for storage. You can change the locations of MyDocuments and MyMusic and all those default folders to a separate drive.
But yeah, i'm dubious... Maybe i will wait 'till i get my new laptop to fuck around, in-case i melt things =)
Thanks for the advice!