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Laptop buying advice forum: Speeding up my laptop

by: ComputerWizard16 May 29, 2011 9:44 AM PDT

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Speeding up my laptop

by ComputerWizard16 - 5/29/11 9:44 AM

Hi,

I currently have a Dell Studio XPS 16 (Intel Core 2 Duo Processo, 2.8GHz, 1080p HD screen, 4GB memory, 500GB hard drive and Blu Ray Drive with a 512MB graphics card.

However, it takes ages to load up and freezes a lot. I do a lot of multi tasking. It struggles to play 1080p video - not an issue with the internet as other computers run fine on the same network. I have pretty much cleared my whole hard drive of files and there is barely anything there. I have MS Office Home & Student 2007 installed and PowerDVD. I was thinking of getting Adobe Photoshop & Premiere Elements but I don't think it would run smoothly! I have paid quite a lot of money for this laptop (1500 pounds roughly) and want to use it to its full potential. Any advice on getting it faster?

Thanks

ComputerWizard16


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Clarification request: Take a look at a similar discussion.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/29/11 9:55 AM

In Reply to: Speeding up my laptop by ComputerWizard16

We read a similar tale at Overclocking advice .

As we dove in a little deeper we found overlapping security and the speed returned. However freezes are not a good sign. It can point to failing hard disks but given only your story I have to note a prior discussion, the HDD and wonder if the clearing actually removed something important. For example I'm finding folk remove the Intel Rapid Storage Tech app without researching what it does. Or they research it and think it's only for RAID.
Bob


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PS. Let me write that 512MB on the GPU is great.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 5/29/11 6:22 PM

In Reply to: Take a look at a similar discussion. by R. Proffitt Moderator

My simple Lenovo y530 plays HD without any fuss and it does not have such a powerful GPU or as much video RAM.

My bet is the issue lies elsewhere.
Bob


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Answer Best answer as chosen by user ComputerWizard16

Graphics Card, Processor should be fine

by iPodTouchSmile - 5/29/11 6:18 PM

In Reply to: Speeding up my laptop by ComputerWizard16

512 mb on your graphics card isn't enough, if you want 1080p video and want the internet to run smoothly you need to get more graphics memory. I hear that NVIDIA and AMD seem to have great graphics, you also may want to check out Intel graphics for Intel Processors.

For the processor it should be fine, 2.8 ghz is enough for me but if you want it to load just a quicker you might wanna upgrade that too.

Also you may want to cut how many programs boot when you start up and to not waste as much memory slash the gadgets off the desktop.


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Price

by ComputerWizard16 - 5/31/11 8:43 AM

In Reply to: Graphics Card, Processor should be fine by iPodTouchSmile

I understand that 512MB is not enough but I am not in a position to pay extra to get a graphics card upgrade.. in fact I don't want to considering the price I have had to pay for this laptop.

Thanks

ComputerWizard16


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How old is the system and

by orlbuckeye - 6/1/11 5:59 AM

In Reply to: Price by ComputerWizard16

what OS are you using? Is it Windows 7 32 bit? Adobe should run fine they say you need a processor that is 2.0 GHZ to run Photoshop.


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OS

by ComputerWizard16 - 6/2/11 12:46 PM

In Reply to: How old is the system and by orlbuckeye

I am using Windows Vista 64 bit. I am sure that installing PhotoShop would slow down my computer even further. Hmmm....

Thanks!

ComputerWizard16


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Interesting.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 6/2/11 1:59 PM

In Reply to: OS by ComputerWizard16

I find installing most apps does not slow down a machine.

How is this possible?
Bob


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Answer Best answer as chosen by user ComputerWizard16

Ways to speed up your system.

by orlbuckeye - 6/1/11 6:06 AM

In Reply to: Speeding up my laptop by ComputerWizard16

1. Page file - Look at your page file to verify you have one and make sure it at least what windows recommends.
2. Add memory but it will onle help with a 64 bit OS if you go above 4.
3. Remove or stop crapware from running at startup.
4. keep HD defragged.

Memory helps multitasking. You can upgrade to 8 gig of ram for around 70.00-80.00. Right nopw you probably have 2 2gb memory modules. You could go to 6 GB and keep on one the 2 modules.


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