[SOLVED] PC starts lagging after a certain period of inactivity.

[agonydear]

So this is not really Windows 10 related, but I couldn't find any better forum to post this on.

Basically, my PC starts to slow down after I leave it inactive for about 20-30 minutes. This is mostly visible when I'm firing up games from HDD drive, they start to stutter and lag and slowly get better over time, but there are still visible stutters here and there, even on SSD. If I restart and start gaming straight away and basically don't leave my PC idling, then it's all ok and everything is running smoothly (talking mostly about gaming). My system is installed on SSD so Windows is still fast enough but HDD drives and games are starting to suffer pretty hard (I already set it to not turn off HDD after being inactive).

Specs:
Z97M Pro4 motherboard
i7 4790k stock
16GB 2400Mhz RAM stock
AMD Radeon RX580 also stock
Windows 10 Pro
SSD 120GB + another 120GB SSD + 240HDD + 300GB HDD

This did happen on Windows 8.1 as well and no clean install happened. I'm thinking it may be related to pagefile.sys? Also, I have fast boot turned off, if that changes anything. Any help would be appreciated because I really want to put an end to this. It's not like I leave my PC idling often but when it happens, it's frustrating.

 

[Ralston18]

How full is each of the drives?

Open the Resource Monitor window and observe system performance.

Then, leaving the window open and the PC inactive, just watch what starts happening.

You can use Task Manager and Process Explorer in much the same way to get a sense of what is going on when the slow downs begin.

 

[agonydear]

How full is each of the drives?

Open the Resource Monitor window and observe system performance.

Then, leaving the window open and the PC inactive, just watch what starts happening.

You can use Task Manager and Process Explorer in much the same way to get a sense of what is going on when the slow downs begin.

Thanks, I will try that. My main SSD is 80% full, the other one is 95% full. HDD drives aren’t even close to being full.

 

[Ralston18]

I think you are narrowing in on the problem.

Especially with the 120 GB SSD's. 120 GB is/has become too small for other than the barest system.

I prefer to keep my drives below 75-80% full - that is just me and I am sure there are other ideas and thoughts on the matter.

Start considering replacing the 120 GB boot drive with a 240 GB. Or a M.2 if your system supports M.2

Clone the 120 GB to the 240 GB and swap in the 240. Save the original.

You should also backup all data from the 120 GB drive beforehand and ensure that that data is recoverable and readable. Do not delete or move data per se. Use copy. Deletion is "final", and if a move goes wrong the data may likewise become unrecoverable.

There are many "how-to" links available., I use EaseUS or Macrium Reflect.

Procedurally - start with the following link

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/cloning-ssd-w-os-to-new-larger-ssd.3424263/

Key is to plan the cloning process out step by step for your situation and circumstances and again, be sure that all data is backed up beforehand.,

Feel free to post any additional questions.

Note: moving your post to Storage because multiple drives can prove problematic. There may be additional, specific suggestions offered in that respect.

 

[agonydear]

I think you are narrowing in on the problem.

Especially with the 120 GB SSD's. 120 GB is/has become too small for other than the barest system.

I prefer to keep my drives below 75-80% full - that is just me and I am sure there are other ideas and thoughts on the matter.

Start considering replacing the 120 GB boot drive with a 240 GB. Or a M.2 if your system supports M.2

Clone the 120 GB to the 240 GB and swap in the 240. Save the original.

You should also backup all data from the 120 GB drive beforehand and ensure that that data is recoverable and readable. Do not delete or move data per se. Use copy. Deletion is "final", and if a move goes wrong the data may likewise become unrecoverable.

There are many "how-to" links available., I use EaseUS or Macrium Reflect.

Procedurally - start with the following link

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/cloning-ssd-w-os-to-new-larger-ssd.3424263/

Key is to plan the cloning process out step by step for your situation and circumstances and again, be sure that all data is backed up beforehand.,

Feel free to post any additional questions.

Note: moving your post to Storage because multiple drives can prove problematic. There may be additional, specific suggestions offered in that respect.

Thank you. I'm actually an IT and I know how to work with these programs, it's my problem that I can't find a solution for ATM. Also, this problem was already there when I had only 120 SSD + 240 HDD, but I see where you are coming from. So you think it may be a storage problem after all?