Question:

I’ve attempted to resolve this by watching numerous tutorial videos, but to no avail. For reference, my PC was previously high-performing with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which I believed would be sufficient for gaming, streaming videos, and programming (although I have yet to install any programming software).”

Could you provide expert advice on how to address these performance issues?

Answer:

If you’re experiencing high disk and RAM usage on a PC that was previously capable of handling intensive tasks like gaming, video streaming, and programming, it can be both frustrating and confusing. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to diagnose and fix these issues.

Understanding the Problem

High disk usage at startup can be caused by various factors, including background processes, startup programs, and system services. When the disk usage is at 100%, it significantly slows down the PC because the drive is trying to read or write too much data at once. Similarly, high RAM usage indicates that your system’s memory is being heavily taxed, which can lead to sluggish performance and the need for frequent restarts.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1.

Check for Malware

: Malware can often cause high resource usage. Run a full system scan using a reliable antivirus program to ensure your system is clean.

2.

Disable Startup Programs

: Use the Task Manager to disable programs that automatically start when your PC boots up. This can reduce initial disk usage spikes.

3.

Adjust for Best Performance

: In the System Properties, under Performance Options, select ‘Adjust for best performance’ to reduce the visual effects and ease the load on your system.

4.

Update Drivers

: Outdated or corrupt drivers can cause performance issues. Make sure all your drivers, especially the disk controller and graphics drivers, are up to date.

5.

Check for System Updates

: Running the latest version of your operating system can resolve compatibility issues and improve performance.

6.

Increase Virtual Memory

: If your RAM is consistently high, increasing the size of the paging file (virtual memory) can help.

7.

Hardware Upgrade

: If you’re frequently running out of RAM, consider upgrading to a larger capacity. For disk usage issues, switching to an SSD, if you’re currently using an HDD, can significantly improve speed.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to reduce the high disk and RAM usage on your PC. Remember, regular maintenance, such as cleaning up unnecessary files and defragmenting your disk, can also help keep your PC running smoothly. If you’ve tried all these solutions and still face issues, it might be time to consult a professional technician.

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I hope this article provides a clear path to resolving the performance issues with your PC. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!