sluggish new build, help!

[kentuckyser]

Before I go on, I will list my computer specs:

Dual Core Intel Pentium D 950 Presler (3.40 GHZ, 2mb L2 Cache, 800 mhz FSB)
2GB Kingston DDR2 667 Dual Channel RAM
Lite-On DVD-RW Drive and DVD-ROM Drive
Antec Sonata II with 450w Antec PSU
ASUS P5LD2 Deluxe Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 945P Mobo
XFX Geforce 7900GT 256mb Video Card
Western Digital Caviar 250gb HDD w/16mb Cache (SATA 3.0 Gb/s)

I just built a new computer for gaming and CAD. The build went well. After I first put it together, I got no POST due to a screw under the motherboard. Afterwards it booted fine, although upon installing windows it seemed sluggish while copying the setup files to the HDD. Also, noticed upon initial startup in the BIOS that CPU temps were around 46°C. Seemed a little high to me since my last AMD build was around 37-39°C in the BIOS.

So anyway, I got windows loaded and installed all the drivers from the mobo, installed some programs like AutoCAD, PowerDVD, and Nero Suite.

I noticed today that the computer is a bit sluggish on some things. Upon booting it up, if I try to open the control panel, it takes about 30 seconds to bring it up. After you've opened control panel once, then close it, then re-open....it opens immediately with no delay. Other programs like AutoCAD start up fine. In control panel, if I try to open the Realtek HD Audio program, it won't open. Tried reinstalling the driver/utility....but still won't open.

This computer has NOT been connected to the internet, and there have been no outside threats that could've been introduced to allow virus' to be run. The only thing that has been installed were legitimate software that came with the components, and AutoCAD, and Adobe Acrobat Pro 7.0.

I did notice in device manager today that I was missing the driver for the SM Bus Controller. So, I pulled out the install CD that came with the mobo, and installed the chipset utility. The little yellow exclamation point is now gone, but it did not fix the sluggishness.

Does anyone have any comments about what I need to check out? I just built 2 AMD dual core 2.2ghz builds with 2 gb Corsair RAM, the same HDD, same case/PSU, and ATI FireGL 5000 cards and they don't have the initial sluggishness that this Intel machine has.

Don't get me wrong, the Intel machine is fast....but just sluggish initially. Should I do a reinstall of Windows and new format? All these problems lead me to believe maybe the RAM or the HDD is acting wierd, but still working. I'm a novice to building these machines so I really don't know.

[tempus]

I would make sure you have the latest drivers and all settings are correct. 30 seconds to open the control panel is very slow. make sure you don't have a generic driver loaded instead of one that is recent.

[blue60007]

Did you load the video drivers?

[kentuckyser]

Yes, the video drivers are loaded.

Tempus, generic driver of what? Chipset? I installed the chipset driver that came with the motherboard.

I forgot to mention that I am running Windows XP Pro w/SP2. Automatic Updates have been unable to update because there is no internet connection.

Also, does the CPU temp not seem high to you guys? Sometimes it'll hit 46°C with just one instance of AutoCAD open and maybe Windows Explorer.

[tempus]

Originally Posted by kentuckyser Yes, the video drivers are loaded. Tempus, generic driver of what? Chipset? I installed the chipset driver that came with the motherboard. I forgot to mention that I am running Windows XP Pro w/SP2. Automatic Updates have been unable to update because there is no internet connection. Also, does the CPU temp not seem high to you guys? Sometimes it'll hit 46°C with just one instance of AutoCAD open and maybe Windows Explorer.

yes. I meant the chipset drivers.

[minsonngo]

Its possible that there is some hardware or software conflict. Did you happen to notice when the problems started to occur?

It could be a memory or HDD problem, but you claimed that the computer is only slugglish initally so that leads me to lean towards it being a software issue instead. To be sure you can download the memory tester here: http://www.memtest.org and the HDD diagnotic utility at the manufacturer's website.

If all else fails, a format and fresh install of the OS could be a good idea.

[glc]

46C is plenty cool.