Computer has been slow lately - Hardware & Software

For as long as i've had this computer (Half a year to a year) it's been running at peak performance, all source-games at well over 60fps on high, World in Conflict on medium, 30 FPS, GRID on high, 40-50 FPS. For the last couple of days, my computer has been having problems. It's been making odd clacking along with the usual sound of a fan spinning noise when its doing system-intese things. The fan sound is normal, but the clacking is what i'm worried about. It's only got an average of 5% CPU usage when the only applications up are Steam and other generic stuff like explorer.exe. My computer has also been pretty slow, and I don't understand how it could be slow when it's got such a large ammount of RAM. Another issue is, videogames such as Garrysmod have been extremely laggy lately. It used to run on high, and only lagged when an extremely large ammount of particles and models are spawned, now it's at an average of 11FPS on high, no props or particles. When I spawn something or create particles, it drops down to around 5 FPS(Props bring it down about 2FPS, particles about 7FPS). I also just purchased Killing Floor thinking I could enjoy it. I can't enjoy it when my PC can't even run it on very low with over 20 FPS. My system specs are: Operating system: Windows Vista Home Premium x64-bit, Service pack 1 Computer: HP Pavilion model m9500y RAM: 8.0 GB CPU: AMD Phenom 9750 Quad-Core Processer, 2.40GHz Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GS, 512MB(2.5GB when Vista gives 2GB of RAM towards Graphics). Version 7.15.11.8250 Monitor: HP w2207 wide LCD monitor Soundcard: Realtek High Definition Audio Hard-disk: 700GB, 400GB free. I'd really like some help with this, it's extremely annoying being unable to play games without dealing with terrible lag. [b]EDIT:[/b] I forgot to mention, a couple of days ago, when this first started, I took a 1-2mm thick layer of dust off the vent holes on the side of my computer. Could dust possibly be the problem? [b]EDIT:[/b] I think I may have found the problem, my HP Update program just gave me a notice on this: [quote=HP Update] Certain GeForce 9500GS graphic cards by MSI Logistic LLC produce excessive, noticeable buzzing, rattling, or scratchy sounds coming from the graphics card fan. MSI Logistic LLC is providing modified GeForce 9500GS graphic cards that help prevent excessive fan noise. If your computer is eligible, a replacement video card can be shipped to you. This GeForce 9500GS graphic card replacement program by MSI Logistic LLC is available for the following time periods. *countries and time zones listed*[/quote] It's installing a replacement program right now.

Your graphics card is bad, you might want to consider getting a new one. I suggest a 4870 1gb. To deal with your problems, defrag, ccleaner, virus scan, spyware scan.

The clacking kinda sounds like you have a HDD thats going bust.

Yeah I figured my graphics card is pretty bad, and i'm planning on upgrading it soon with the NVidia GeForce GTX 295, but I don't understand why all of my games are getting such bad performance all of a sudden. I'll try a defrag, and virus sweep. Thanks for the help so far. [editline]09:28PM[/editline] Automerge :keke: I updated the OP, I just got a notice from HP Update pointing out that my card has been known to make rattling noises, which explains the loud clacking and possibly performance issues with my computer. It says it can send a free replacement to me if my card has fan issues. I'm pretty sure it does, but what i'm wondering is, would I be better off getting the free replacement card? Or should I just get a new card all together?