I am interested in buying a new computer because the one I have now is lagging when more than one window is open and sometimes in just one window. I have Road Runner and it still happens, which means its something to do with my computer. Any suggestions? *Perhaps there are ways to make my computer faster? Does processor, RAM, and amount of space in hardrive affect speed in a computer? If so, how much. I have already tried disk cleanup, and defragment. I looked at my computer settings and found out I only have a 19Gb harddrive, and only 6.97Gb of free space, and I have a 285Mb RAM. The processor on the computer is a Pentium III(3) Intel, my operating system is Windows Xp 2002 Home Edition. Thats all the info I really know about my computer at the moment. Some advice would really help.

If you are looking at machines running Vista, a Core Duo (or higher) and 2 Gb of RAM are recommended. The clock speed of the processor won't mean much if all you're doing is web browsing, RS and media type things (video, music, ect). If the machine is running XP anything for sale now (new machines) will run XP without issues with a gig of RAM.

 

 

 

Most machines on the market now with a gig of RAM or more will give you a very noticeable improvement compared to what you have now. To give specific suggestions we would need to know what you plan on doing with the new machine.

285 MB RAM should be fine for RS...your Processor is good enough to run it also.

 

 

 

Also, has the lagging JUST started? I would perform a virus scan and a spyware scan if that's the problem. But generally, I'd say it's time for a new computer.

^ While I'd generally agree that trying to get his PC to work would be a good idea, thing is if it is a Pentium III than it may be time to upgrade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@ OP: what do you plan on doing with the machine? Chances are if it isn't much you can pickup a pretty decent machine (far better than yours) for quite cheap.

Play rs, watch movies, surf web, perhaps online job(not sure), it been lagging for a long time now, always seems to lag when alot of operations are open, and alot of ppl r in a certain area on rs, plus alot of my ouse click are not registering on first click, which is very annoying on a hands on skill like cw or hunting. I would love a intel quad core with 3 Gb RAM and 640Gb harddrive xD, but I dont have 1300 dollars. I just need something that will keep me from lagging and the commands work first time click. Someone please tell me what factors lead to faster speed. Is it just processor or more?

O crap, I downloaded AMG antivirus and while scanning it found 2 trojans called:

 

 

 

Trojan horse Downloader.Generic 5.J... and another one with different numbers at the end. The file says it is in: sysqtrh[Caution: Executable File] and xpreload.ocx and path says C:\sysqtrh[Caution: Executable File] and C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded...

 

 

 

Anyone know how bad this is? Im going to delete them as soon as possible, but what do I need to do afterwards for further protection?

 

 

 

P.S: It is still scanning, it might find a few more but not sure, I need help plz :uhh:

To your last question: Just make sure you keep windows and your anti virus updated, and don't go to dodgy links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About a new machine: You don't really need much. In fact, I would strongly recommend this computer. Its $298, and comes with windows vista (not a monitor though).

 

 

 

However it has everything you will need for general web browsing and such, including a gig of memory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About computer stats and what they effect:

 

 

 

I notice no one has really explained yet what the various parts of a PC effect speed wise so I thought I'd help.

 

 

 

 

 

RAM: This, simply put, allows you to run more programs without lag. Every time you open a program (a browser window, a game, whatever) it takes up a certain amount of RAM for its processes. RAM is temporary memory for your programs where they can quickly store and compute whatever equasions or problems they need to do.

 

 

 

A gig of it is fine for most standard machines, while 2 gig's is a minimum for playing new, up to date games. It's pretty cheap (especially this black friday, you can get a gig of ram easy for $15).

 

 

 

 

 

Processor: Your CPU speed. This is just the speed at which various calculations and processes can cary out. The speed of it doesn't mater as much these days as other values do, however for general web browsing and such it's not a very large importance. You'll really only notice it in full screen games (not java games like runescape) and in other applications.

 

 

 

 

 

Video card: This only really effects games, for general web browsing it isn't a concern.

 

 

 

 

 

Hard Drive: the only thing, speed wise, this will effect is how long it takes for you to load something up. The higher RPM -- the faster (generally) an aplication will load from the hard drive.

 

 

 

Sound card: Aside from taking a bit of stress off the CPU for running the sound, and simply making everything sound better ... an on-board sound card is just fine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That should be about all that will and can effect your computers performance.

Thank you very much, that information was very helpful. May I ask what ways can I improve the computer I have now so I can obtain better speed and performance?

Not much. To be blunt, the machine is simply old and out dated. To upgrade the machine would mean to upgrade (virtually) everything to where it is just easier to get a new machine.

To your last question: Just make sure you keep windows and your anti virus updated, and don't go to dodgy links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About a new machine: You don't really need much. In fact, I would strongly recommend this computer. Its $298, and comes with windows vista (not a monitor though).

 

 

 

 

Via chipset with 128kb cache and 1.5GHZ?

 

 

 

I think p3 would outperform that, plus via chipsets aren't good.

To your last question: Just make sure you keep windows and your anti virus updated, and don't go to dodgy links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About a new machine: You don't really need much. In fact, I would strongly recommend this computer. Its $298, and comes with windows vista (not a monitor though).

 

 

 

 

Via chipset with 128kb cache and 1.5GHZ?

 

 

 

I think p3 would outperform that, plus via chipsets aren't good.

 

 

 

You think so? I didn't really look into the details of the chipset, but from what I've read its performed fairly decent.

 

 

 

 

 

However it may just be better to spring a few hundred more and get a better machine.