Question speeding up low end PC and understanding basic soft/hardware

[shgng]

I should've known my PC would occasionally fail to complete some basic tasks after purchasing it for such a low cost (around $399) a few years ago.

Back when it had first arrived, it failed to run the games that were the sole reason for my purchase and would constantly restart itself. Granted, the games I play are somewhat (very) bulky so, besides being a bit disheartened, I didn't think too much on it. It could still run some lower quality games, and I could watch movies/TV series without any serious interruptions or issues. However, it got worse over time and now takes a minute (or three) to just load up Microsoft Edge! It'll even restart itself if I dare try clicking something else while it's doing so. Currently, I'm trying to see if there are any internal software issues I could solve through CMDs, updating drivers, deleting files, etc. before I begin replacing anything and everything. But I'm a bit confused, since everything looks just fine--or so I think?

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.59 GHz
RAM: 16.0 GB DDR3
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP

I don't understand much about PCs, but I'd like to understand why mine fails to do such simple tasks time and time again. Is it possible there are some commands that may help it run steadier and smoother before making some expensive decisions?

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.59 GHz
RAM: 16.0 GB DDR3
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP
When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

I don't understand much about PCs
You can use CPU-Z to tell you practically everything about your system except for the PSU. For the latter, you're going to have to take the side panels of your case off and then pass on what you're seeing on the stickered side of the PSU. As for the case, you should be able to see a sticker with a barcode on it that will tell what the make and model is or you can pass on a picture of the case.

As you're asking for advice on upgrading, you're advised to stylize your thread with info asked of in this thread;

*How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice*

How to Ask for New Build or Upgrade Advice First off, respect where respect is due - this is an adaptation of the Animal's *How To Ask For New Build Advice* Sticky. I created this because there's a lot of posts nowadays asking for upgrade advice both on here and on the CPU forums, and I feel...

forums.tomshardware.com

and the community will chime in with worthwhile suggestions.

 

[USAFRet]

However, it got worse over time and now takes a minute (or three) to just load up Microsoft Edge!

That is a software issue, not hardware.

 

[beyondlogic]

I should've known my PC would occasionally fail to complete some basic tasks after purchasing it for such a low cost (around $399) a few years ago.

Back when it had first arrived, it failed to run the games that were the sole reason for my purchase and would constantly restart itself. Granted, the games I play are somewhat (very) bulky so, besides being a bit disheartened, I didn't think too much on it. It could still run some lower quality games, and I could watch movies/TV series without any serious interruptions or issues. However, it got worse over time and now takes a minute (or three) to just load up Microsoft Edge! It'll even restart itself if I dare try clicking something else while it's doing so. Currently, I'm trying to see if there are any internal software issues I could solve through CMDs, updating drivers, deleting files, etc. before I begin replacing anything and everything. But I'm a bit confused, since everything looks just fine--or so I think?

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790 CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.59 GHz
RAM: 16.0 GB DDR3
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 580 2048SP

I don't understand much about PCs, but I'd like to understand why mine fails to do such simple tasks time and time again. Is it possible there are some commands that may help it run steadier and smoother before making some expensive decisions?

3 key things

slow harddrive or failing clicking can be sound of a drive failing or psu fan.
power supply failing
cpu not being cooled effectively.

 

[ThereAndBackAgain]

That hardware should still be just fine as far as performance goes. If you can, you should do a fresh install of Windows.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-do-clean-installation-windows-10

Once you've done this, be sure to be selective about what apps you install and things you download so that your PC doesn't get bogged down again.

However, I can't rule out the possibility that there's a hardware issue, in which case reinstalling Windows wouldn't solve it. But it's a good thing to try, at least, to see if it resolves the problem, before you go out and buy a new computer.

 

[Misgar]

However, it got worse over time and now takes a minute (or three) to just load up Microsoft Edge!

I have three i7-4770K systems (two overclocked, one at stock settings) and they're all perfectly stable. I've just clicked on the Microsoft Edge desktop icon and the program launched in 1 second.

Are you running Windows from an old fashioned (spinning) hard disk or a modern SSD (Solid State Drive)? If you're still booting Windows from a hard disk, buy a SATA SSD and install Windows from scratch. SATA SSDs (especially those with DRAM cache) can bring a new lease of life to old hardware.

It'll even restart itself if I dare try clicking something else while it's doing so.

The most I'd expect is forthe computer to slow down even more, not restart unceremoniously.

Currently, I'm trying to see if there are any internal software issues I could solve

One thing that slows down my really old systems is the monthly Windows Update, released on the second Tuesday of each month. It can take up to an hour before the update completes on a dual core Celeron or Athlon X2 with minimal RAM. During this time, the computer is horribly sluggish to any new input (from keyboard or mouse) and the best option is to let it finish in its own good time. Run Windows Update and see if your computer is fully patched, or just busy trying to load the latest updates.

You could run SFC and DISM on your existing Windows drive, to correct any operating system errors. You need to run these from the Command Prompt with Administrator privileges.
https://www.howtogeek.com/222532/ho...-system-files-with-the-sfc-and-dism-commands/

Also, run CHKDSK on drive C:.
https://www.howtogeek.com/1033/how-to-use-chkdsk-on-windows/

You could test your RAM for errors, by booting up from a USB memory stick containing a program called MemTest86. With 16GB RAM, this could take several hours but it should detect bad RAM. Sudden restarts can be caused by bad RAM.
https://www.memtest86.com/

If you're overclocking the RAM with XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) in the BIOS, try switching off XMP to lower the RAM speed and maybe improve stability. If you find bad RAM, replace it.

Assuming no hardware problems, as other people have said, installing a fesh copy of Windows (preferably on a fast SSD) might restore your PC to full health.

If you need a fast SATA SSD with DRAM, consider a Samsung 860 or 870 EVO drive:-
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Factor-Intelligent-Magician-Software/dp/B08PC43D78

If that's too expensive, there are many cheaper SATA SSDs without DRAM cache:-
https://www.amazon.com/Lexar-NS100-512GB-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B07TQSYBPH

If you just want to experiment with a new Windows installation (but minimal space for games) splash out $14.99 on a 120GB Patriot. Not fast or big, but enough to see if your existing Windows OS is faulty.
https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Burst-Elite-120GB-Solid/dp/B08LKMQ9T4

SATA SDDs range from 120GB to at least 4TB, so there's a wide range to choose from. Windows 10 will fit easily on a 120GB SSD, but a 500GB or 1TB SSD will be faster.