System performance is decreasing during PC startup.
System performance is decreasing during PC startup.
I wouldn't dismiss the RAM issue, it could fail at any moment, though it looks like a software problem. In the most extreme case you might need to perform a full Windows reinstall to determine if anything changed. Windows tends to become bloated easily and unexpectedly during its operation, sometimes just one recently installed app disrupting the system and leading to crashes. Different applications add varying amounts of content to the user interface, which can result in longer startup times and both minor and major system problems. Keep in mind that the user account is closely linked to the operating system, so malfunctions can impact OS files. I usually suggest enabling the built-in Administrator account and if issues arise, switching there for a short period can help identify changes. It's straightforward: type in the command line with admin rights and run: net user Administrator /active:yes. This should confirm whether the account was activated successfully. If not, you might want to try reseating the hardware, clearing CMOS, disabling XMP profiles or O/C settings, and checking everything. Occasionally, your system's core values can degrade over time, leading to instability or slow performance.
I reinstalled Valorant on my SSD, which is a big improvement for the game. I'll monitor its performance moving forward. I also transferred my heavily modified Skyrim off the SSD, and I'll check how it works from here. I'll still attempt the things I haven't tried yet that you recommended.
You asked about the tools you used to assess the HDD and SSD condition.
Windows has a built-in health feature. I wasn't sure what was available and didn't find much when searching, but I didn't dig too deep.