Is the good system facing performance issues?
Is the good system facing performance issues?
I've been using my PC for roughly four years now and it hasn't caused any issues, but lately I've noticed unusually slow load times with unexpected spikes in GPU activity. I've updated all my programs, run several scans using both Norton and MalwareBytes, removed unnecessary applications, and verified that my hardware is clean, properly seated, and adequately cooled. I'm planning to provide a detailed list of my specifications, but honestly I have no idea what's happening and would really appreciate some assistance.
To be more precise about the issue: When opening programs such as Steam, games, or video/audio editors, loading takes an excessive amount of time, it doesn't finish fully loading after startup, and often causes crashes or unresponsiveness.
Specs: OS – Windows 10 Pro, Processor – AMD Ryzen 5 36000X, 32 GB RAM across four sticks, two storage drives (1 TB SSD and 2 TB HDD), neither exceeding half capacity.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
Here are your specifications:
OS: Windows 10 Pro
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 36000X
RAM: 32 gigabytes across 4 sticks
Storage: Two drives – 1TB SSD and 2TB HDD, neither more than half full
Please format the details as requested:
CPU: [CPU info]
CPU cooler: [cooler info]
Motherboard: [motherboard info]
Ram: [ram info]
SSD/HDD: [storage info]
GPU: [GPU info]
PSU: [PSU info]
Chassis: [chassis info]
OS: [OS info]
Monitor: [monitor info]
Age of PSU: [PSU age]
BIOS version: [current BIOS version]
and often crash
I used these budget Lexar 240GB SATA SSDs without DRAM cache as Windows 10 boot media in older LGA1150 computers. Before this, I hadn’t experienced issues with DRAM-free SATA SSDs like Patriot Burst. Within just a few days, boot times extended to about ten minutes. A thorough non-destructive scan lasted hours but revealed numerous spots where HD Sentinel struggled to read the drives. There were no actual bad blocks, only repeated attempts to access data. Once I completed a full Write/Read cycle with HD Sentinel, normal functionality was restored and I haven’t used them since. It seems these units might be counterfeit (I purchased them while abroad).
For issues like this, it’s best to switch to a similar newer model and reinstall Windows. The old “reset from orbit” method in Aliens could work if the problem disappears.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQXbbZXaQow
If the issue resolves, you’ve found a workaround, though it means reinstalling all your programs and apps. You might also attempt to clone your existing drive onto a new SSD, but if the problem stems from a corrupted registry or faulty driver, this won’t fix it.
As @davidl41 notes, if your SSD becomes full, performance can degrade significantly. A general guideline is to keep at least 20% free space on an SSD for background tasks and TRIM operations. If you have less than 10% free—say only 5%—you’re likely to notice a slowdown. After four years, a replacement SSD might be necessary. A fresh Windows installation afterward could be worthwhile if you haven’t already done so.
Changes might have occurred?
Updates could be responsible?
Try running memtest86 to test your RAM.
If your four components aren't from the same matched set, it may lead to issues.
You should observe NO errors after a complete pass.
It's more likely an update triggered the problem.
Would you like to use system restore to bring your PC back to its previous state?
If your games are stored on the HDD, is it possible to defrag the drive?
Do you have important files or data on the computer?
You might want to consider swapping the HDD for a SATA SSD. Then you could use the old HDD as an external backup.
What is the model of your SSD? I assume it's the C drive.
Unless that SSD is faulty, replacing it with a faster one shouldn't make much of a difference.
Thanks, I'm glad you found the assistance useful. At this stage, a new Windows installation seems necessary. Should I upgrade to Windows 11 or continue with Windows 10? I understand newer software tends to be preferable, though navigating Windows can be a bit challenging.