My PCU has degraded in performance

[Supernaut19]

Hi, recently my computer has been degrading in performance. I've had this computer a little over a year, the build date was 1/5/04. My girlfriend's dad, a computer expert, helped me order parts and put this computer together. For the first year everything was good, it ran the programs I used flawlessly. It was fast and never gave me problems. I've always used the programs AVG Virus Scanner and Ad-Aware to keep trash away. Probably a month and a half ago my computer starting slowing down. I play a game called City of Heros and this is where I really started to notice it. The game would take longer to start up and gameplay has become very choppy. My framerates dropped drastically for a reason unkown to me. Currently during gameplay my frames per second usually range from 4fps-20fps. City of Heros is an online game with many players so it's worse around other people. Playing in teams is not the least bit fun because the game slows down so much (2fps-10fps). Sometimes my computer will run the game smooth like it used to. Occasionaly my framerates will rise to 40fps-50fps but this rarely happens, usually late at night or when I am in a deserted area of the game. Maybe this is a lag issue but I think something else is giving me problems. I have a cable modem and measured ping during gameplay is usually around 110-150. I've noticed when my framerates drop the ping is rising. Usually something like 10fps will relate with 150 ping or so. 40-50fps results in ping around 110. I've tried a lot of things to fix the problem but so far nothing has worked, I have become very discouraged.
Here is a list of things I have tried so far with no results:
Virus Scans
Defragging Hardrive
Removed Spyware
Used program HiJack This (removed more spyware)
Scan Disk
Messed with swap files
Messed with AGP Size in BIOS
Updated drivers for video card (ATI Radeon 9600 Pro)
Reinstalled Windows 2000 Pro
Reset Video Card
Checked inside computer to see if it was hot- fans were working properly and relativley cool inside
Cleaned out dust from inside PCU
I've ran benchmark tests, sometimes I'll get a performance score of 130, sometimes i'll get around 250
Used Driver Cleaner to ensure I didn't have remnenets of old drivers
*I even reformatted my hardrive with no improved results-this is the one that I thought would solve my problems but it didn't
I think I've attempted some other things but don't remember all of it. My computer seems to be getting a little worse every few weeks. I'm very frusterated because this computer used to run great but its performance has degraded drastically. I don't enjoy playing City of Heros anymore because it feels like I am using a thrift-store computer. Programs take longer to load up, my computer stalls more, and the game I play has become choppy and unplayable. Are there any other things I could try to get by computer back to normal? I really need some help from knowledgable people. I don't know a ton about computers but I've learned a lot from this ordeal. Any advice and help is appreciated, thanks in advance.
Here is a partial DXDIAG:
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/9/2005, 00:27:08
Machine name: TIM
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
System Model: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/05/04 22:29:58 Ver: 08.00.09
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 91MB used, 1335MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------


----------------------------


DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK
------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 70.6 GB
Total Space: 76.3 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD800BB-00DKA0

Drive: D:
Model: DVS DVD-ROM DSR-520H
Driver: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.00.2195.6655 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 27984 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) 82865G/PE/P/GV/82848P Processor to AGP Controller - 2571
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2571&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_02\3&267A616A&0&08
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\DRIVERS\AGP440.SYS, 5.00.2195.6655 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 21008 bytes

Name: Intel(R) 82865G/PE/P/GV/82848P Processor to I/O Controller - 2570
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2570&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_02\3&267A616A&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 82801EB USB Universal Host Controller - 24DE
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24DE&SUBSYS_80A61043&REV_02\3&267A616A&0&EB
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\uhcd.sys, 5.00.2195.6655 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 32848 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\usbd.sys, 5.00.2195.6658 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 20688 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.00.2195.6689 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 40176 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\usbui.dll, 5.00.2134.0001 (English), 11/30/1999 23:39:50, 59664 bytes

Name: Realtek AC'97 Audio
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_812A1043&REV_02\3&267A616A&0&FD
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\portcls.sys, 5.00.2195.6655 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 148208 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\stream.sys, 5.03.0000.0900 (English), 12/12/2002 00:14:32, 45696 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\wdmaud.drv, 5.00.2195.6673 (English), 6/19/2003 12:05:04, 21264 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ksuser.dll, 5.03.0000.0900 (English), 12/12/2002 00:14:32, 4096 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\ALCXWDM.SYS, 5.10.0000.5440 (English), 1/9/2004 23:17:02, 601100 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\SOUNDMAN.EXE, 5.01.0000.0022 (English), 1/9/2004 02:54:06, 65536 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ALSNDMGR.CPL, 2.02.0000.0017 (English), 1/9/2004 02:53:58, 14204416 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ALSNDMGR.WAV, 2/5/2002 13:54:58, 141016 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\RTLCPL.EXE, 1.00.0001.0009 (English), 1/9/2004 02:53:54, 5672960 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\ALCXSENS.SYS, 5.10.0000.3511 (English), 12/11/2003 23:54:14, 391424 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system\crlds3d.dll, 4.12.0001.2002 (English), 11/21/2002 15:07:10, 765952 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\a3d.dll, 4.12.0001.2009 (English), 8/19/2003 19:36:16, 65536 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\Audio3D.dll, 4.12.0001.2009 (English), 8/19/2003 19:36:16, 65536 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\RTLCPAPI.dll, 1.00.0000.0001 (English), 12/18/2003 02:05:50, 155648 bytes

Name: RADEON 9600 SERIES
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4150&SUBSYS_200217EE&REV_00\4&38B71F77&0&0008
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\DRIVERS\ati2mtag.sys, 6.14.0010.6414 (English), 12/11/2003 21:50:00, 647680 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati2dvag.dll, 6.14.0010.6414 (English), 12/11/2003 21:50:00, 384512 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\Ati2mdxx.exe, 4.13.0001.0003 (English), 9/4/2001 01:24:00, 28672 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati3d1ag.dll, 6.14.0010.4045 (English), 12/11/2003 21:14:00, 866016 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati3d2ag.dll, 6.14.0010.4045 (English), 12/11/2003 21:25:00, 1052608 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati3duag.dll, 6.14.0010.0214 (English), 12/11/2003 21:35:00, 845856 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ativvaxx.dll, 6.14.0001.0001 (English), 12/11/2003 21:08:00, 540704 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ATIDDC.DLL, 6.14.0010.0005 (English), 12/11/2003 21:40:00, 81920 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\atitvo32.dll, 6.14.0010.4100 (English), 12/11/2003 20:56:00, 17408 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ativcoxx.dll, 6.13.0010.0005 (English), 11/8/2001 20:01:00, 24064 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati2evxx.exe, 6.14.0010.4094 (English), 12/11/2003 21:40:00, 397312 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati2evxx.dll, 6.14.0010.4094 (English), 12/11/2003 21:42:00, 86016 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\atipdlxx.dll, 6.14.0010.2485 (English), 12/11/2003 21:42:00, 110592 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\Oemdspif.dll, 6.14.0001.0010 (English), 12/11/2003 21:42:00, 102400 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\ati2edxx.dll, 6.14.0010.2491 (English), 12/11/2003 21:42:00, 30208 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\atioglxx.dll, 6.14.0010.4103 (English), 12/11/2003 22:19:00, 5505024 bytes
Driver: C:\WINNT\system32\atiiiexx.dll, 6.14.0010.4000 (English), 12/11/2003 23:35:00, 290816 bytes

 

[ExGamer]

did ya try reformatting and reintalling windows....? and it could just be that you use to its performance and its slow....plus with new applications they will reguir higher sytem requirments ,that will lower how fast they open/close....you prob already know this but ...I dont think it would degrade in performance cause my other pc its 1.4ghz and its still kickin.... plays any game 2...

 

[prosser13]

ExGamer, he already said he reformatted the hard drive. Supernaut, would it be possible for you to post your system specs? Could you also post how much space you have left on your hard drive.

 

[Supernaut19]

Here are my system specs:
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Card name: RADEON 9600 SERIES Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Drive: C:
Free Space: 70.6 GB
Total Space: 76.3 GB

 

[rat_boy_100]

u dont use ur hard drive much then...

 

[setishock]

Well...

Your drivers are 2 years old. Games have long since got past what old drivers can do. Get the motherboard drivers from the maker of the motherboard's web site. Get the whole package...
EDIT: Does your system really have 2 p4 cpu's or is it a hyperthread cpu?

 

[ComputerWizard]

i think its HT. Unless you really have 2 cpus and if those 2 have hyper threading the computer would read 4 cpus!

 

[setishock]

Well...

If that's the case then the vitual cpu is chewing up resources and would need to be disabled from the bios.

 

[macbook]

Could it possibly be a damaged disk ?

 

[Feircepc]

hmmm have you check ur internet connection lately? maybe you should bench ur internet speed and making sure its up to par of wat its suppose to be at. possibly its ur thermal paste. maybe its just drying up and stuff. or you have a really really bad virus or trojan. but doubt that being u reformatted. have you maybe check ur ram or ur vid card and make sure u didnt fry anything?