PC was custom built, not by me, 4 yrs ago but even shortly after reformatting it starts SLOWING down.  Not sure if it just because I have gotten so used to my new LAPTOP's performance and new tech compared to my older PC or if it really has lost performance ABILITIES with age (is that possible?).  Either way I want a better preforming PC.  I use it mostly for internet (lots of tabs though), medium gaming (sims 3 and such) but would like to use the highest settings, dvd and photo back-ups and other simple tasks.


Specs
Windows XP Home 5.1 SP3
Asus P5WD2 Premium motherboard
ATI Radeon HD 5450 (cheap quick replacement for XFX GeForce 8600 GT XXX 600M 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express Video Card)
OCZ 2GB Kit DDR2 PC2-6400 4-4-4 Platinum Revision 2 Dual Channel (I actually have another 2GB kit just never wanted to go into bios to make it work)
2- Maxtor 320GB(640GB total) Serial ATA/300 16MB Buffer 7200RPM
2 TB Goflex External drive
Intel Premium 4 CPU 3.20 GHz
Antec Super LanBoy Aluminum Tower w/ 550w Fatality power supply
plextor px-716a AND HP 840 lightscribe


So I figure I have to change the CPU for sure and possibly the motherboard, right?  Is everything else still work keeping or should I just get a whole new PC?  Thanks

Well as your post indicates your level of knowledge of computers is above basic level so undoubtedly you are aware of the myriad of things both software and hardware that can cause slowing down of a computer over time.Especially seems more pronounced when you compare it against a more modern equipment. Notwithstanding that there are some things that can be done to try and improve the performance (speed wise). The 1st and foremost is to maximize your ram. Bearing in mind that given you are using win xp (probably 32 bit version) the maximum recognizable will be between 3 and 3.5 gb more than likely. So even if the computer can take more it won't be effective above those values. Personally i wouldn't recommend the replacement of CPU and/or motherboard. unless it is for practice/knowledge/experience reasons. Many things can be tried to optimize the computer (which we can advise you on if you desire) but i would do those things and realize it's limitations and try to use it within them and set your sights on a newer replacement when you can.truenorthGood afternoon myswtsins and welcome

In my opinion if you would want to maximize the performance of the PC you now have I do have some recommendations.

The info that truenorth gave is 100% correct and these upgrades will depend on the OS (operating system) and how much you want to spend and with some learning 

Move from XP to Windows 7 64 bit. There really is not that much of a difference / learning curve. By moving from a 32 bit OS to 64 bit the CPU will be brought to it's full potential.

The same is true for the memory because your motherboard can take up to 8 gig's of memory. You stated that you now have 2 gig's installed and if the person / company used 1 or 2 sticks (considering it is DDR2 it is more than likely a single 2 gig stick) so you should install the new 2 gig memory stick into the motherboard. There is no configuration for this you just put it in and the BIOS see's it and that is it you now have 4 gig's. Looking at the pic of the motherboard if the memory is in the yellow slot just put your new stick in the other yellow slot.

If you stay with XP (if it is a 32 bit XP but most likely it is) will only see / use 3 to 3.5 gig's even if you have 4 gig's installed that is a limitation of the OS.   

Harddrive wise you are fine and depending on how much you want to spend buy a faster video card. The only thing you have to do is make sure the video card is a PCIx and will run in a 16x slot(most PCIx will) and you don't have to worry the PS should be more than enough and should have the power connector for the new card. Video cards can cost as little as 35$ to thousands of dollars decent card can be bought for 80 to 100$ the choice is yours. It doesn't matter if you buy ATI or NVidia and everyone will have there views and experiences & years ago ATI drivers could be a headache. Now days both ATI and NVidia drivers have gotten much better.   

Other than that in my opinion you are good. Some others on here my give you there opinion. Hopefully this helps you, Mike    ever consider defragging and a disk cleanup to improve performance you might be surprised, get rid if some of those old programs that you don't use anymore, you didn't mention any kind of maintenance for your xp and it does require that and run a chkdsk on it if there are any problems with files you can run a chkdsk /r and that would fix any CORRUPT or it should ............good luck whatever you do.................gjmay Quote from: myswtsins on July 28, 2012, 08:06:33 AM

...shortly after reformatting it starts slowing down...