High physical memory usage contributes to slow speed?

I currently have T520, i5-2520m, 4gb memory, integrated graphics.
Honestly, the performance isn't what I really expected.

I don't put much stress on the computer. Most I do is have 20-30 chrome tabs open, while streaming an HD movie or a sporting event.
I am not sure if my expectations were absurdly high, but I thought that this particular system will suffice my needs more than enough.
The problem I have is that while surfing, with a streaming in the background, opening a new tab will just slightly be delayed and scrolling up and down using arrow keys will cause the streaming event (mostly MLB tv on high definition mode) to skip (subtle but noticeable) and lose smoothness about the picture and sound. Personally, it bugs me A LOT.

This was also observed in my older laptop (though slightly worse), with the first generation i3 processor, 4gb memory, and when I ordered T520, with a significantly better processor, I looked forward to saying goodbye to that forever.

Frustrated, I tried to look for an explanation. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the dogged performance, but my physical memory usage is 75% or above almost at all times (cpu usage is below 10%). Can this be the cause behind the disappointing speed? If so, will installing more memory improve the problem? Or is skipping picture expected from a computer with such specs?

Thanks in advance for your input.

Btw, I set the performance to max in power manager.

 

Normally it should be enough but given how cheap 8GB RAM kits are these days it wouldn't hurt trying to bump it up a bit. Are you running on the Lenovo factory image or have you clean installed the system? How many processes are running at the time when you noticed the lag?

 

I might have missed it, but are you using an SSD? If not, that could definitely help.

 

Thanks all for the input. I'm using a hdd, and I did not clean install of the OS. Started using it as I received it. There are usually 120 or so processes running, but I already have around 100 when the computer's booted on.

I'm not very good with computers, so please enlighten me. From what I understand, ram (random access memory) allows me to run programs (like a desk where I can lay down more stuff with bigger memory), but it doesn't necessarily carry out the tasks any faster with a bigger one. That's the processor's job, right? But can the lag be caused by not having ample amount of memory or is it solely due to the hdd and/or the processor? How much role does ram play in terms of performance?

 

The more RAM (memory), the less swapping to/from disk, which slows down processing. Ample RAM allows all programs and their data to reside in memory.

Bring the total RAM to 8GB.

 

It's a little more expensive and complicated than upgrading the RAM (which could also be somewhat helpful), but upgrading to an SSD is the single best change you can make to boost your performance and perception of speed.

 

Granted, SSD definitely boosts performance in terms of initial system loading and application launching. But, more RAM is needed to enhance application processing by reducing or eliminating the need of "paging" (OS-initiated swapping of program code, data structures and resources to/from disk, to facilitate multi-tasking).

Also, Windows 7's SuperFetch feature recognizes the availability of RAM and keeps file/network resources in RAM for fast access.

The huge benefit/cost ratio, given the current low prices of 2x4GB RAM sticks, makes this upgrade trivial.

could? also? somewhat?

 

Agreed, I'm definitely not arguing against upping the RAM. By all means, that's probably the best first thing to try. But I don't think a person who's disappointed with the overall feel of a sluggish system will be wowed solely by an additional 4 gigs. pjw27890, if you decide to bump up the RAM, check to see if you have 1 or 2 sticks currently installed. If the former, all you need to do is add 4gb more. If the latter you'll want to get a 2x4, 8gb total kit.

Hah, thanks for calling me out on that. Like I said, it would definitely be helpful, but I hedged because it's hard to say how much without having the computer in front of you to diagnose exactly what's causing the problem, be it RAM usage, constant indexing or some unknown.

 

There you go: usage profile. No need to have "computer in front of you."

After Chrome application is launched from HDD/SSD, its program code is RAM and a lot of (large) data structures get allocated in RAM. Every time a tab is pushed open, a new Chrome process is spawned (by the Chrome code, which is already in RAM, and no SSD is involved here) and its data structures are further allocated in RAM. Depending on the webpage contents, more and more data structures are allocated in RAM. Plus, Adobe Flash (for embedded video streaming/decoding/rendering) is a memory hog. Another tab? More RAM allocations. Another tab? Yet more RAM.

RAM, RAM, RAM, RAM!!! Not enough? Paging, paging, paging, paging!!!

Put in two 4GB RAM sticks, please.

 

I'm not gonna argue in circles here, but just because the OP has numerous tabs open doesn't mean a RAM shortage is the sole problem. Running Windows 7 and web browsing are not super-RAM-intensive activities. 4GB should be enough. Obviously 8 won't hurt.

But like I said, without the computer in front of you, it's impossible to say whether the problem is, among the many possibilities, a rogue, overactive virus scanner, constant disk indexing, spyware, a virus, using the wrong power brick, a faulty component, bad power management settings, bad cache settings, too many unnecessary/ unwanted background processes, etc. Some of these would be corrected by blindly throwing RAM at the problem; many would not.

If the computer already feels sluggish upon startup, or with just Chrome running, you can be sure a RAM shortage is not the main culprit, just a side-effect. Without being able to say what, specifically, the problem is, the steps I would try, in order, would be:

1. Reinstall the OS
2. Up the RAM (Yes, it's very inexpensive, so you can swap that with step 1 if you'd like, especially if you don't want to try starting with a clean OS)
3. Try an SSD

pjw27890, let us know if you narrow down the source of the problem and what you wind up trying.

 

I admire your reasonings. But they don't point to the above as a solution. Will a SSD bring the number of processes down? (Reducing system boot time and application launching time, most likely, but not on-going processing time.)

 

That's why it's the third step in the three steps I listed. One of the first two, probably a clean OS install, will bring the system's needs in line with the available RAM. I agree that an SSD will not make Chrome run any faster once loaded into RAM, but when you're constantly opening and closing programs, an SSD is absolutely a good option to boost the overall speed. I'm not advocating it as a solution - I'm saying it would be a good final step in making the system as speedy as possible.

 

As a 15 year IT professional, I would change that order to:

1: Upgrade the RAM
2: Reinstall the OS or get someone to check out your system to see if they can figure out what the problem is
3: Try an SSD


Reinstalling the OS is IMO not trivial, you have to back up your data, reinstall all of the programs you use, blah blah blah... Upgrading RAM takes 5 minutes and does not cost much. I only reload OS, or recommend the reload of OS in extreme situations.

 

Thanks for your clarification. However, the above statement is not directly applicable to the problem at hand.

 

Makes sense - I'm more willing to blank my OS than most. On a system with user data on a separate drive (or even partition), it's not such a big deal, as you know, but many people would be uncomfortable with the whole process, granted.

I would say without much more info from the OP, we have no clue what the problem at hand really is.

 

There are no "constant opening and closing of programs" in the OP's detailed description of problem.

 

With 120 processes running, it's likely that at startup, tons of programs are opening and closing. He just doesn't know about them.

 

I like how everyone goes straight for SSDs.

Have you tried a different browser? Like Firefox or IE9? Chrome's per-tab-processes is inefficient and adds up when you have many tabs open.

That said, 3 of 4GB RAM usage isn't notably high.

Defragment your drive too.

Is your battery attached even when you're on AC? Are you on the right power profile?

Also update all of your drivers and trim that process count.

 

"While surfing" means it's way past boot time. There's no indication that the OP was closing and opening programs constantly throughout the day.

Thanks, @Colonel, for stating again that Chrome tabs are resource-heavy.

 

I don't want to be labeled an SSD shill!

Like I said, I would try to figure out what's eating up all the resources, bump up the RAM, see if a clean OS install (with the newest drivers, etc.) delivers the expected performance, and then try an SSD.

To which I would say the OP was expressing a more general problem with performance than just the Chrome/ MLB.tv issue:

If the one place he has an issue is JUST MLB.tv this is all moot. It could just be a case of Flash acting up like it usually does. Just update Flash to the newest version, try another browser and hope for the best - not much more you can do on that front.

Done here - good luck!

 

Wow, I'm taken aback by the volume of answers. I'll take some actions, taking all the advice into account, and let you guys know later. But thanks to everyone who shared the wisdom here.

 

Let us know what you do, and how it works out for you