At work, I generally switch between two computers - both have 1GB RAM, similar integrated graphics chips and HDDs. One is a Pentium 4 D 2.8GHz (dual core) and another is a Pentium 4 HT (think it's also 2.8GHz from memory). Both run Windows XP and should largely be imaged from the same thing.
As you probably expect, both are rather slow and annoying. Similar to all the library/public computers running P4 HTs - take forever to load stuff.
Or is that the case?
Have been using my netbook now, with Firefox open with like 10+ tabs, music running, a number of other windows open and it operates WAY faster than the Pentium D at work. And this is a Atom N270 1.6GHz, 1GB RAM, and Intel integrated graphics GMA950 running a custom nLite'd XP SP3. Fairly similar system, except this netbook has a far weaker CPU. (obviously, I'm not loading any system intensive apps, but I never do on the work computer either)
In fact, it's only just a tad bit slower than my main comp - Q6600, 4GB RAM, RadeonHD 4670 running Windows 7 x64 (and I don't use Aero either).
I can't really say why the work computer is so slow - I don't have admin rights so what I can do is limited. I do know there's some antivirus (Symantec I think) that's constantly consuming CPU - I mean, it's like constantly using 50% of the CPU, and probably doing heaps of I/O requests. Can't kill it as it runs as a system process... >_>
Since Pentium 4's seem to be the slowest PCs still largely being used (ignoring Atoms), I say that the majority of PCs out there are slow because of crappy OS/software setup.
What do you think?
totally agree - theres only really one hardware problem that can account for a slow system and that's faulty/lack of memory. 90% of all the jobs i get are to fix slow machines or fix this error and that error and in almost all cases taking of symantec made things a lot better - there are much better free alternatives anyway. badly configured systems is a low percentage but it des happen as does corrupt drivers leading to slowing system speed, but as mentioned almost always software or lack of hdd space etc. (again memory related). in my experience these workstation machines usuall just have the absolute basic hardware requirements so igp, integrated sound, 512 of memory, 40-100 gig hdd etc. just basically the cheapest way to make a machine - and its also the slowest way as well.
The computers at our local library are P4's (I think crappy 2.4GHz ones), and are extremely slow. Windows XP, antivirus is Sophos. Takes like 1-2 seconds to bring up the right click menu >.>
Slow HDDs may be another factor, though unlikely to be the main factor. The library computers have really old 16-24GB HDDs or something. Also slow and limited amounts of memory (DDR1 333MHz I think, 512MB).
ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:I do know there's some antivirus (Symantec I think) that's constantly consuming CPU - I mean, it's like constantly using 50% of the CPU, and probably doing heaps of I/O requests. Can't kill it as it runs as a system process... >_>
What the hell, perma 50% on antivirus? Imo that would almost definitely be the reason why it's so slow then.
Your antivirus is s
hit, get something else.
Assassinator Wrote:ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:I do know there's some antivirus (Symantec I think) that's constantly consuming CPU - I mean, it's like constantly using 50% of the CPU, and probably doing heaps of I/O requests. Can't kill it as it runs as a system process... >_>
What the hell, perma 50% on antivirus? Imo that would almost definitely be the reason why it's so slow then.
Your antivirus is shit, get something else.
That's Symantec for you.
Resource hogging out the donkey.
I have a pentium 4 processor with 1.5GB's of DDR RAM and ATI RADEON 9600 PRO card; everything is totally snappy in windows 7; i don't see how the pentium 4 line is that slow still.
Assassinator Wrote:Slow HDDs may be another factor, though unlikely to be the main factor. The library computers have really old 16-24GB HDDs or something. Also slow and limited amounts of memory (DDR1 333MHz I think, 512MB).
DDR2 667MHz isn't really any faster.
As with HDDs, the main issue with RAM is latency and DDR2 or DDR3 doesn't really improve it.
Assassinator Wrote:What the hell, perma 50% on antivirus? Imo that would almost definitely be the reason why it's so slow then.
There's still one full core to work with, so it wouldn't be that.
I say stuff like right click menu taking ages is too much explorer hooks / context extensions installed.
Oh, whilst I'm here, same thing with the so many people complaining that XP is just slow - got pretty much nothing to do with the OS and like 80% to do with your software/configuration (just that newer OSes try to make work arounds for crappy software configurations better).
Tetris999 Wrote:I have a pentium 4 processor with 1.5GB's of DDR RAM and ATI RADEON 9600 PRO card; everything is totally snappy in windows 7; i don't see how the pentium 4 line is that slow still.
same except mines ati 200 lol. :3
ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:I say stuff like right click menu taking ages is too much explorer hooks / context extensions installed.
Oh, whilst I'm here, same thing with the so many people complaining that XP is just slow - got pretty much nothing to do with the OS and like 80% to do with your software/configuration (just that newer OSes try to make work arounds for crappy software configurations better).
But from what I can see, the library systems are pretty much just clean XP + Sophos. Ofcourse, I can't see everything...
ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:There's still one full core to work with, so it wouldn't be that.
Also makes your HDD spin like crazy.
I do not know why, but using Internet Explorer for many years makes XP very slow. Old installs of XP are slow too. XP gets sluggish after a few years. Doing service pack updates also slows down XP. The problem is compounded with the above and running a pig anti virus program.
I'll bet you $100 if you do a fresh install of XP, run Firefox from day one, and install Avira, or similar the system will be 10 times faster.
xero1 Wrote:I do not know why, but using Internet Explorer for many years makes XP very slow. Old installs of XP are slow too. XP gets sluggish after a few years. Doing service pack updates also slows down XP. The problem is compounded with the above and running a pig anti virus program.
I'll bet you $100 if you do a fresh install of XP, run Firefox from day one, and install Avira, or similar the system will be 10 times faster.
But the library computers use
Deep Freeze, so assuming noone hacked in and changed anything, the software side should exactly the same as the day Deep Freeze was initially set up on that computer. Ofcourse, the time of that could already be a few years after original XP was set up, so it could be slow from "day one"...