My Windows 11 Lenovo laptop is consistently slow and hot enough to hurt my hand. With only Vivaldi and SimpleX open, Task Manager shows about 75% CPU usage, 94% memory usage, 12% disk usage, 1% network usage, and 36% GPU usage. The laptop has an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U with integrated Radeon Graphics, 8 GB of RAM with only 5.74 GB usable, and a 64-bit operating system. I'm running Windows 11 version 23H2, but Windows Update has been failing and the system has always performed poorly. I've scanned repeatedly with Windows Defender and found nothing suspicious. Installed software includes Soulseek, Winamp, Mp3tag, Inkscape, Synfig, LibreOffice, Equalizer APO, PNGoo, IrfanView, and Firefox. What should I check or change to identify the cause and improve performance?
4 Answers
This hardware is going to struggle with Windows 11. Eight GB is technically usable, but it is tight, especially because the integrated Radeon graphics shares system memory. The 5.74 GB figure means some RAM is reserved for hardware; lowering graphics memory in firmware may not provide much benefit and should only be done after checking Lenovo’s documentation. A lightweight Linux distribution could be worth considering if all your essential applications work there.
Start with Task Manager’s Processes and Details tabs and sort by CPU, memory, and GPU usage. The percentages alone don’t show what is causing the load. If Windows Update keeps failing and the machine has been problematic from the beginning, backing up your files and performing a clean Windows installation could remove accumulated software and service issues. Make sure the laptop model supports the Windows version you install.
The integrated GPU does not necessarily permanently take a fixed chunk of RAM; it can reserve and share memory dynamically. The more important issue is that 8 GB total is a small amount for Windows 11, so high memory usage can lead to paging and sluggishness. If the laptop supports a memory upgrade, check whether the RAM is replaceable, though many models with this processor have soldered memory.
Check the cooling system as well. Dust and lint can block the intake or exhaust, especially if the laptop is used on a bed or couch, and a clogged fan can make the system throttle or become dangerously hot. Use it on a hard surface, inspect the vents, and have it professionally cleaned if necessary. If the case is genuinely painful to touch, stop using it until the temperature and cooling are checked.
I wouldn’t change BIOS settings based on guesswork or use an automated tool for it. Check Lenovo’s support documentation first, since firmware options vary and incorrect changes can cause problems.