Can you guys help me , please? I have this computer that was assembled in Brazil in 2005 for me. I work with CAD and Rendering programs. Now, living in NY and after many other programs installed, I think that everything is slow and I don't know if it's better I upgrade this old friend or buy a new one. I copied below some information about my system. Thanks a lot for your help. Alice MOTHERBOARD: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Model P4P800SE - Version Rev 2.xx - Chipset Model 82865G/PE/P, 82848P DRAM Controller / Host-Hub Interface - South Bridge 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Interface Bridge -SMBus Intel Corporation 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) SMBus Controller @0400h - CPU Intel Pentium 4 - Cpu Socket 478 [CPU 1] - Max CPU Speed 3600 MHz CPU - GenuineIntel - Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.80GHz - Prescott - Technology 0.09µ BIOS: Date: 06/01/04 - Ver: 08.00.09 - American Megatrends Inc. - Size 512 KB MEMORY - System board or motherboard - Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes - Memory Slots 4 - Maximum Memory Module Size 1024 MBytes - Slot 1: Capacity 512 MBytes - Type SDRAM DDR - Speed PC2700 (166 MHz) Slot3: SUPERTALENT01 - Capacity 512 MBytes - Type SDRAM DDR - Speed PC3200 (200 MHz) MONITOR: Model DELL 2001FP - Analog Input Voltage - 0.700V/0.300V VIDEO: DirectX 9.0c - Driver Name nv4_disp.dll - NVIDIA GeForce 6200 - 256 MBytes - Integrated RAMDAC CD Writer/DVD Combo: Vendor LG Electronics - Model HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4521B alice_sp

If you were happy at one time, consider a clean install. If it seems too slow after a clean install then start shopping. "Best Practices", Event viewer, host file, perfmon, are in my top 10

"after many other programs installed, I think that everything is slow" A lot of programs will put themselves in the auto-startup list. Every program that does that eats up memory and sometimes even CPU cycles. It's a good idea to run msconfig (Start > Run > type msconfig > OK) and check the startup tab. There are probably some programs in the list that you don't need running 24/7, and can just start them up when you need them. Deselecting them can speed up a system significantly. You might even find some nasties in the list. If you see something that you don't recognize, the following sites might help in finding out what it is. http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/sta... http://www.answersthatwork.com/Task... http://www.processlibrary.com/

If your running rendering programs, CAD etc, 512MB of memory is going to be eaten up pretty quick and your system will crawl. Some consider 512MB the minimum for everyday use under XP. Might want to go for 2GB at least for the work your doing. Mattwizz3 My Super P3 PIII-S @ 1.5GHz 768MB PC133 @ 145MHz 128MB 9550 340/240 Now with a new motherboard and AGP4X!!!

1 GB of memory isn't alot for what you're doing. You need to add more memory. graphics/audio projects should have at least 2 GB to play with (although I wouldn't go higher than that, since Windows' memory management sucks at high capacity). I have a similar motherboard. Considering you're not doing gaming and stuff, it should be good enough for what you need it to do. Windows does slow down, and should be (in theory) re-installed every 2 years or so. For example, when you install programs, it might add lines to the registry (like a registry in a hotel, where you sign up). Eventually it gets bloated (sometimes uninstalling programs won't remove all related data), but Windows still needs to read through the registry to do its work. The CPU is okay, although you could probably upgrade that. I don't know how good your video card is at rendering, but you might want to consider upgrading. I have a 6600GT, but I just bought a 7600GS since it was only $90. I'll let you know how much of an improvement it is. I wouldn't necessarily buy a new computer, unless you want a really fast computer and desire to do things like playing intensive games.

I agree that if the computer originally ran your CAD program well and that program hasn't been updated with a newer version then you should be able to return the unit to a better performing state. All the above suggestions are valid. With most CAD programs more RAM will help.

Thank you very much, guys. It was amazing. I had no idea what kind of computer I have. I am going to upgrade the memory, the CPU and maybe the video card now. The new one can wait a couple of years, I guess. Thanks a lot jefro, eagis, Mattwizz3, ... and OtheHill. alice_sp