Windows FX makes my computer so slow

I get a little grumpy when I try and run Windows FX. I have a P3 1.3 processor with a 32meg GeForce3 video card. I have 512 ram and yet when I run Windows FX, EVERYTHING goes at sloth speed. I hardly ever use it before. It sort of stinks that you can't use a program on a computer that was purchased 14 months ago. Guess I need to upgrade already. By the way, it's not my ram that slows me down . . . according to Sysmetrix, my CPU maxes out when I do anything when Windows FX is up and running

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3,472 views 8 replies
Reply #1 Top
sorry . . . meant to put "hardly ever use it anymore"



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Reply #2 Top
Well .... 14 months = 140 months in 'PC time' .... Windows XP 64 bit won't even load without a P4 and 1G of RAM!



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Reply #3 Top
tells me about it . . . it seems like our RAM and CPU technology advancements don't make anything faster . . . they just allow us to run whatever is current



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Reply #4 Top
Beesly, I'm in the same situation. I've been told that it's related to the video card. Although mine is a quite good video card, yet, it doesn't support something like per-pixel alpha blending or something. Anyway, I' don't use WinFX either because it crawls down my computer.
Reply #5 Top
I stopped using WindowsFX too for system performance. I have an AMD Athlon XP 2400+ 1.99 Ghz processor and 512 MB DRR RAM and WindowsFX is still slow on it. It's only eye candy anyways.



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Reply #6 Top
Drivers are the key.



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Reply #7 Top
yeah . . . I'm wondering if I upgrade my video card to a GeForce4 that would make the difference . . . not that my life is dependent on running Windows FX but rather if the programs that Stardock are releasing are going to consistently need a better Card, I would think of going that route as opposed to waiting another 2 years before I buy my next Laptop (I'm trying to hold off until Longhorn is released).



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Reply #8 Top

WindowFX performance is totally reliant on Video Cards and drivers.

Nvidia is working on some drivers for the Geforce 4 that will help.  ATI's drivers are *usually* better but they seem to keep breaking things.  The newer cards have better drivers.

I've been running it on a Geforce 4 at home without a noticeable slow down, but results vary.  It also depends on how many of the options you have running at once since a lot of them are heavy animations, they will logically have a resource impact.