[roryxoc]

Recently (the past few weeks or so) my computer has been having some difficulty playing games. Usually I'm able to run most games on High settings, but lately games have been extremely slow and choppy. Reducing the settings seems to have very little effect, and everything remains unbearably slow even on the lowest settings.

At first I thought it might have just been the one game (Fallout 3) but others (FO: New Vegas, Skyrim, Mass Effect) have all had the same problem. I also tried exiting all background programs to see if that had an effect, and it did not. Restarting, doing virus scans, etc. all had no effect. I also sprayed some air to clean the dust out of the case, but this had little effect as well. All drivers are up to date.

Here is the relevant hardware:
CPU: Intel Core2Quad Q6600@2.4Ghz
RAM: 4gb DDR2 (it's old, I know) OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 460 (fairly new, so I hope it's not dying already..)

Some other hardware in my computer (heat sink, mobo) is rather old and has had very little maintenance, and I'm considering replacing them. Would this perhaps cause the problems I'm seeing? Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thanks!

[black-wolf]

Use this to post your specs http://static.techguy.org/download/SysInfo.exe .

[roryxoc]

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Service Pack 1, 64 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, Intel64 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 11
Processor Count: 4
RAM: 4095 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460, 1023 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 476937 MB, Free - 79917 MB; F: Total - 953866 MB, Free - 448609 MB;
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC., P5Q DELUXE
Antivirus: avast! Antivirus, Updated and Enabled

[black-wolf]

I would expect it to be to many things running in the background or malware.
Download and install both of these
Malwarebytes http://shop.malwarebytes.org/lpa/342...FdCP7Qod2SDd3w
Superanitspyware http://www.superantispyware.com/

Download the free versions update definitions after install. Watch the installation process in case it wants to install a toolbar or some other program.

[roryxoc]

Thanks for your replies!

I already have Malwarebytes installed and it comes up with no threats. I haven't heard of Superantispyware before but it looks a little.. sketchy. Is it necessary to try with both? If so, I will. I don't believe it to be malware though, I'm rather careful with what I download. I also run Firefox with NoScript and AdBlock so I doubt I would have browser-based malware either.

It's worth noting that I can do everything else completely fine - it's just games that have difficulty running well, so I think it's a hardware-related issue more than anything.
Anything else I can do?

[black-wolf]

It's up to you superantispyware is recommended on this site all the time and I find that it will find things that the antivirus and malwarebytes don't.

Look in your startup and see what is starting with your compter. start/run/msconfig.
Avast is good was there ever any other antivirus programs on the computer?

[roryxoc]

Nothing particularly load-heavy is running on startup. Just iTunes, Quicktime, Java, Mouse and wireless adapter software, that sort of thing. I've been running Avast since about 2010, before that I forget what I had. But like I said, I'm inclined to believe it's hardware-related, perhaps something wrong with drivers or settings, or something wrong with the hardware itself.

[black-wolf]

Slowing down is usually software related. What do you have plugged into USB ports besides mouse and keyboard?

[roryxoc]

Webcam, wireless adapter, microphone. That's about it.

[black-wolf]

Unplug everyhting except the mouse and keyboard and see if that helps.

[roryxoc]

Just gave it a shot, no difference

[black-wolf]

Is windows up to date?
Any new drivers installed recently?
Graphic drivers up to date?

[roryxoc]

Windows is up to date, as are the graphics drivers. I haven't installed any new drivers recently, and the only software I've installed was Firefox.

[black-wolf]

Im not allowed to help you with this, but I would get someone else to maybe have you provide a hijackthis log. I will contact one of the appropriate people.

[flavallee]

Originally Posted by roryxoc

I already have Malwarebytes installed and it comes up with no threats. I haven't heard of Superantispyware before but it looks a little.. sketchy. Is it necessary to try with both?

SUPERAntiSpyware 5.5.0.1012 and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.62.0.1300 work hand-in-hand in combating malware, spyware, rogues, hijackers, adware cookies, etc. in a computer.
I install and use both in all my computers and in the ones that I work on.
A quick scan once a week to locate and remove whatever is found is recommended.

Originally Posted by roryxoc

Nothing particularly load-heavy is running on startup. Just iTunes, Quicktime, Java, Mouse and wireless adapter software, that sort of thing.

iTunes and QuickTime and Java don't need to auto-start and run in the background.
Many programs don't need to auto-start at all, and many others can be manually started when needed.
It's my guess that your computer has too many programs auto-starting and running.

Go to Start - Run - MSCONFIG - OK - "Startup" tab.
Write down ONLY the names in the "Startup Item" column that have a checkmark next to them.
If the "Startup Item" column isn't wide enough to see the entire name of any of them, widen the column.
Submit those names here in a vertical list.
Make sure to spell them EXACTLY as you see them there.

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