It seem like my comp runs slow when mutli-tasking. I'm usually always running at least 4-5 browser pages in firefox, have winamp running music, 3-4 tables running on stars no HEM, and skype or messenger running on my 30" screen. I switched to an XPS so everything could run smoothly but it seems too hiccup and slow down every know and then?

I have seen a bunch of users run much more stress (6-8+ tables with HEM, dual monitors etc) with similar setups having no troubles, I'm wondering if I install my own windows install without the Dell bloatloaded windows crap if it will make a significant difference? Or am I stuck looking into SSD's already and more ram?

there's no reason that computer should be running slowly even with the standard bloatware. when it seems to be slow, open up the task manager and see what the CPU and memory usages are and what processes are using those resources.

My thoughts exactly, what is a good recommended range when running everything as far as memory usage and CPU?

After just doing some little tests firing up some programs it settles down to about 5-6% CPU usage but just running skype/messenger/firefox/winamp I had 2-3 100% CPU usage spikes for a couple seconds is that within normal? I didn't think it would see 100% spikes with only these progs running even if it was for a split second or two.

without seeing it i'd say it's not normal. i have a 1st gen i7 at work and i don't think i've ever seen it over 50% cpu usage when multitasking with autocad, browsers, outlook, virtual machines, etc. what processes are using cpu during those times?

I wonder if the CPU is running at the proper speed

I have the intel turbo technology watcher it seems to run between 2.2ghz and 3.0 when loading up everything. It's the 2nd generation Intel Core i7-2670QM processor 2.20GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.10GHz. I have heard of taking it out of energy saver mode works better? But can't seem to figure out where that is, I have changed the power settings and hasn't changed it.

As far as processes there is a list of 35.

CPU usage currently at 5% physical memory 24%.

There's zero reason to have any lags with those simple tasks given the computer. You have an excellent CPU and more than enough RAM. The two weakest spots are the lack of an SSD/heat off the HD, and possibly whatever bloatware Dell loaded. Something can be malfunctioning but I have no real way to know.

In either case I'd grab your OS disc and go for the fresh install. I think that hard drive is always going to be the bottleneck assuming everything is working, but you might fix the issue with a healthy fresh install on your existing drive.

The SSD talk it's just getting out of control. The guy have a 7200rpm hard drive, there is no way that the reason of the slow down it's from the disk. Unless, obviously, the disk is malfunctioning. And yes, i do have an XPS17 L702x with an SSD.

And i know you, Gonzo, are not saying that's the reason, but every time i came here i see someone advinsing an SSD for every other problem.

I would check the Windows power options profiles if i were you. By default it's set to save power, chose the high performance one and see how it goes. No reason to have it set other way, unless you need the battery.

Go to Windows Contol Panel -> Energy Options.

yeah SSD is not the proper fix here. 7200 is more than adequate to run your needs at an acceptable speed.

something is wrong.

i agree that an ssd is a great upgrade but in no way should it be necessary to remedy this. personally i would absolutely do a fresh windows install without bloatware as a general rule if possible, but it seems that most OEM computers do not come with any means of doing that (without buying your own windows disc).

my question is still which specific processes are using the resources during the times when your task manager shows spikes to 100% cpu usage. make sure that you have hit the button to show processes from all users (with only 35 including bloatware it seems like you haven't). also, are you running any antivirus software?

In my experience, the most likely culprit in these situations is overheating forcing the CPU to throttle down.

Could be high ambient temperature, dust or just sub-par heat sink installation.

I have the XPS15 L502x, it's been on high performance since day one humm that's not it. Curious do you have a 9-cell battery on your 17 i would assume so because this 6cell on a xps 15 is useless the only time I switch off high performance is if im on battery and when i'm at that the battery last maxxx 1hr30 wondering if a 9 cell would get me near 4 hours~.

Yes I run Avast antivirus and norton. That 35 process was not including showing all processes from all users. Processes taking up most memory:

Firefox 935,000K
Host process windows services 145,000k
mcafee 101,000k
FlashPlayer 89,000K
Msn 49,000k

As far as ambient temp, should I get something to monitor that too see if it's that, any suggestions progs? Dell put the computer together about a month and a half ago a heat-sink ****up would piss me off lol. Only been using it for a month.

Only run one antivirus.

Is Norton still a huge hog? I haven't run it for 5+ years

Honestly neither have I, it came with the computer with free 90 days was going to uninstall it after trial was done. Suprised 2 anti-viruses would put that much strain, i'll uninstall one or the other see if that helps any.

BTW Thanks for all the help guys really appreaciate it!

i believe most antivirus software with real time protection scans files each time they are accessed before they allow the operation to continue, so if you're running two of them then that probably at least doubles the latency introduced by that. still not an enormous amount (milliseconds).

the memory usage you listed for firefox is really high (even for the way firefox has gotten and the potential memory leak, etc). what did you have open in firefox at the time? do you ever shut down firefox entirely or is it always open? if always open, you should close it sometimes so that it can properly release resources.

but still, i think the biggest question remains, what specific processes are using how much cpu resources during the spikes to 100% cpu usage? memory certainly plays a part, but you have plenty (probably more than you can use at this point). it's actually kind of crazy that a quad core hyperthreaded cpu could randomly spike to 100% usage since most software still isnt really optimized to take advantage of multiple cores.

it's better than it has been (and it matters less as computers have gotten more powerful). depends on whether you run all of the assorted bells and whistles, but even with them all on it shouldnt be that noticeable on a machine like this.