Improve My Dell M4500

Labhayks on 14/08/2016 - 12:45

Hi,
I have this old Dell, but specs are great.
1) Core i7 Q740 [email protected] GHz
2) Ram = 8 GB
3) FULL HD

I have upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 10 and performance has improved.
However, it still feels sluggish. Installing Linux on dual boot also does not results in a noticeable improvement.

Do not want to buy a new one, any way to improve the performance on this?

Computing

Comments

  • nahi11 on 14/08/2016 - 12:47

    Clean install Windows 10.

    • abhayks on 14/08/2016 - 12:49

      I have done that.
      Also tried using OpenSuse linux , but still not much gain in performance.
      Only FreeBSD results in a clear improvement. But FreeBSD does not have all drivers, specially Wi-Fi is patchy.

  • donnot on 14/08/2016 - 12:51
    +3

    Probably the HDD that's causing the slowdown. Could add an SSD (like this).

    • abhayks on 14/08/2016 - 12:56

      Thats a great idea. Thanks

      • altomic on 14/08/2016 - 13:22

        what Donnot says. set it up as your primary/system drive. use your old HDD (or buy another faster + larger HDD) as your "data/storage" drive. it's what I've done with my 2012 macbook pro. It removed the "sluggishness".

  • bjdchwr on 14/08/2016 - 12:52
    +1

    How about SSD?

    • abhayks on 14/08/2016 - 12:56

      Thanks. Looking at the link @donnot5 has sent.

  • Cyphar on 14/08/2016 - 15:31
    +1

    Yep, as suggested the SSD is the next step. Maybe upgrade the RAM as well?

    • turkz1 on 14/08/2016 - 22:54

      +1 8gb is a decent amount but a bit more ram wouldn't hurt!

  • Colombian on 14/08/2016 - 15:41

    I was in a similar position than yours. I have a Dell M4600 with i5 and upgraded to ssd, 16GB ram and windows 10. Machine is flying. It is also quick when I'm using vmware.

    I also changed the wifi card for the new one and my internet has improved too.

  • scrimshaw on 14/08/2016 - 19:28

    How hot is that processor running? You should probably get some canned air and give that sucka a good blow.

  • robertbruce on 14/08/2016 - 19:29

    this machine should be blistering without an upgrade….

    how did you partition the drive during install?
    did you run a live linux disk?
    what sort of improvements are you looking for?
    what are the system fans doing?

    still way too variables,,,,

    get it running out of ram first -
    i would do a "live" or "persistant" install before spending any money on it…
    I would even'nt spend any money on it even…there should be enough viable sectors on the hdd to make something of it…that is if it's the hdd… could be heaps of things,,,

  • nxllson on 14/08/2016 - 21:53
    +1

    Your machine is probably using the 'Balanced' power option, use the 'High Performance' option by doing this:
    On the taskbar, find the battery icon
    Click on it
    Click 'More Power Options'
    Find and press 'High Performance'
    It will use more power/battery, but it does improve the speed.

    Also, try defragging; HDD's that are old tend to be slow and defragging it solves the problem.

  • abhayks on 18/08/2016 - 16:54

    trouble is 5 years old Hard disk. I think a SSD will again make it fly.

    I have installed Linux .

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