what's wrong with my other computer? :(

ixfd64 · 2008-01-05, 18:01

My 3.2 GHz P4 machine is usually very fast, but it seems to have slowed down recently. It's currently testing an exponent in the 39M range, and each iteration usually takes less than 0.1 seconds. However, it now takes over 0.17 seconds per iteration, and that's without any other programs (other than system processes) running. I was able to get it to about 0.15 seconds only by changing the priority to 6. Also, some Java applets and Flash applications now run very slowly on my computer.

That computer is up-to-date with virus and spyware detection, and I never installed any new software within the last few months other than the occasional updates for various programs.

Anyone have an idea of what's going on and how to fix this?

Thanks in advance.

sdbardwick · 2008-01-05, 18:51

Verify that the CPU fan is running at full speed and that the CPU heatsink is clean. P4 processors will throttle according to temperature. IMHO raising the priority is probably the cause of the slowdowns with Java and Flash.

Jay · 2008-01-05, 18:56

Could be due to any number of things.

1. Might have a buildup of dust creating a thermal blanket. Most BIOS's are set to use thermal protection. If the heat goes up too far, then the CPU is slowed down. Open up the case (power off, of course) and clean out any/all dust.

2. It's possible that you bumped into a larger FFT realm. This will slow down iterations. Check the benchmark page for the exponent you're now testing. http://www.mersenne.org/bench.htm

3. Have you recently installed some new software? Check the Task Manager to see what percentage of CPU is being used by what tasks. As an example, I know that my anti-virus will chew up a lot of CPU cycles if I'm doing a lot of disk activity.

Keep poking around long enough and you'll figure out what is going on. But don't expect someone to know what is going on without investing time and effort. Too many things could cause a system slowdown and guessing doesn't accomplish anything.

ixfd64 · 2008-01-05, 19:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdbardwick

Verify that the CPU fan is running at full speed and that the CPU heatsink is clean. P4 processors will throttle according to temperature. IMHO raising the priority is probably the cause of the slowdowns with Java and Flash.

I think you're right about the CPU. About two weeks ago, my computer started making a loud sound when starting up. I'm going to clean my computer to see if it helps.

I don't think raising the priority of Prime95 has to do with Java applets and Flash applications slowing down, though. I changed the priority to 1 and there didn't seem to be any difference. (I actually set the priority to 6 several months ago while testing and didn't seem to notice any change, either.)

ixfd64 · 2008-01-06, 01:31

Well, it worked. I opened 'er up and there was a boatload of dust and lint. I cleaned it off and, sure enough, my per-iteration dropped to below 0.1 seconds.

Thanks, everyone!

sdbardwick · 2008-01-06, 04:19

Cool! (heh)
Did the Java and Flash problems go away as well?

ixfd64 · 2008-01-06, 09:20

Yep, those problems seem to have disappeared as well. I'm going to clean my other desktop PC after I get back from Las Vegas.

2008-01-05, 18:01	#1
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 100101010110₂ Posts	what's wrong with my other computer? :( My 3.2 GHz P4 machine is usually very fast, but it seems to have slowed down recently. It's currently testing an exponent in the 39M range, and each iteration usually takes less than 0.1 seconds. However, it now takes over 0.17 seconds per iteration, and that's without any other programs (other than system processes) running. I was able to get it to about 0.15 seconds only by changing the priority to 6. Also, some Java applets and Flash applications now run very slowly on my computer. That computer is up-to-date with virus and spyware detection, and I never installed any new software within the last few months other than the occasional updates for various programs. Anyone have an idea of what's going on and how to fix this? Thanks in advance. Last fiddled with by ixfd64 on 2008-01-05 at 18:13

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2008-01-05, 18:51	#2
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego County 5×137 Posts	Verify that the CPU fan is running at full speed and that the CPU heatsink is clean. P4 processors will throttle according to temperature. IMHO raising the priority is probably the cause of the slowdowns with Java and Flash.

2008-01-05, 18:56	#3
Jay Dec 2007 34₁₀ Posts	Could be due to any number of things. 1. Might have a buildup of dust creating a thermal blanket. Most BIOS's are set to use thermal protection. If the heat goes up too far, then the CPU is slowed down. Open up the case (power off, of course) and clean out any/all dust. 2. It's possible that you bumped into a larger FFT realm. This will slow down iterations. Check the benchmark page for the exponent you're now testing. http://www.mersenne.org/bench.htm 3. Have you recently installed some new software? Check the Task Manager to see what percentage of CPU is being used by what tasks. As an example, I know that my anti-virus will chew up a lot of CPU cycles if I'm doing a lot of disk activity. Keep poking around long enough and you'll figure out what is going on. But don't expect someone to know what is going on without investing time and effort. Too many things could cause a system slowdown and guessing doesn't accomplish anything.

2008-01-06, 01:31	#5
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 2×5×239 Posts	Well, it worked. I opened 'er up and there was a boatload of dust and lint. I cleaned it off and, sure enough, my per-iteration dropped to below 0.1 seconds. Thanks, everyone!

2008-01-06, 04:19	#6
sdbardwick Aug 2002 North San Diego County 5×137 Posts	Cool! (heh) Did the Java and Flash problems go away as well?

2008-01-06, 09:20	#7
ixfd64 Bemusing Prompter "Danny" Dec 2002 California 2390₁₀ Posts	Yep, those problems seem to have disappeared as well. I'm going to clean my other desktop PC after I get back from Las Vegas.