Last time, we looked at how to check your PC’s “brain” (the system) and tune it up. This time, we’ll continue with a health check of your PC’s “body”—the hardware!

If you’ve been feeling like your PC isn’t performing well lately, it may be a sign that its internal components are getting worn out. On this page, we’ll gently guide you through simple hardware diagnostic methods that even beginners can try!

What’s the “Body” of a PC? Meet the 3 Most Important Components

A PC has many parts, but the three most important are:

① CPU: The “Brain” of the PC

• Executes calculations and commands—the most critical part.
• The faster the CPU, the faster the PC runs.

② Memory (RAM): The “Desk Space” for Work

• Determines how many tasks you can run at once.
• A larger desk (more RAM) means you can open multiple apps or browser tabs without slowing down.

③ Storage (SSD/HDD): The “Shelf” for Data

• Stores photos, videos, apps, and more.
• Today, fast SSDs are mainstream. Older PCs often still use HDDs.

💡 Tip: Balance is key! If one part is too slow, it can bottleneck the entire PC.

Step 1: Check System Load with Task Manager

Start by checking how hard your PC is working using Task Manager.

■ How to Open Task Manager

• Windows 11: Right-click the Windows icon (bottom-left) → Task Manager
• Windows 10: Right-click on an empty space in the taskbar → Task Manager ※ If you see the simplified view, click More details at the bottom.

■ Use the Performance Tab

1. Click Performance at the top
2. Check CPU, Memory, Disk (Storage)
3. Perform a “heavy” action (boot-up, playing video, etc.)

→ If one of them spikes to 90–100% usage, that’s the stressed component.

■ Common Cases

• Slow at startup → Disk (especially HDD) usage is high → Old HDDs often cause sluggishness → Replacing with an SSD can dramatically speed things up

Step 2: Check the Health of Your Storage (SSD/HDD)

If Task Manager shows high disk usage, or if your HDD feels slower than before, check its health in detail.

■ Use the Free Tool “CrystalDiskInfo”

1. Search “CrystalDiskInfo Forest.impress” on Google and download
2. Open it—check the Health Status: Good / Caution / Bad
3. Respond according to the status:

💡 CrystalDiskInfo also shows usage hours, power cycles, and lifespan estimates (TBW)—useful for second-hand PCs!

Step 3: Use Windows’ Built-In Error Check & Repair

You can also check for errors directly from Windows properties.

■ How to Do It:

1. In This PC, right-click C: Drive → Properties
2. Go to Tools → Error checking → Click Check

⚠ Important: Back up critical data first! If errors are found and repaired, some data may be deleted or overwritten.

Step 4: Don’t Forget Storage Optimization

Optimization reorganizes your drive for efficiency.

■ How to Run It:

1. C: Drive → Properties → Tools → Click Optimize

■ Is It Safe for SSDs?

• In the past, “Don’t defrag SSDs” was common advice.
• But now, Windows automatically detects SSDs and applies the correct process (TRIM), so it’s safe.

Step 5: Check Your Memory (RAM)

Memory is your PC’s workspace. If it’s too small or failing, your PC will feel sluggish.

■ Check Installed RAM

1. Open Task Manager → Performance tab → Memory
2. See usage and total capacity

📌 Recommended RAM Sizes

💡 Below 4GB is risky! Windows itself uses 5–7GB, so 4GB fills up instantly.

■ Symptoms of RAM Issues

• Very slow boot or app performance
• Frequent freezes or restarts
• App installs fail
• Frequent blue screens

⚠ But similar issues may also come from CPU or storage problems—check everything together.

■ Use Windows Memory Diagnostic

1. Search Memory in the Windows search bar
2. Select Windows Memory Diagnostic
3. Choose Restart now and check or Check on next restart
4. Scan runs automatically after reboot

✅ Check Results

1. Search Event Viewer
2. Go to Windows Logs → System
3. Filter current log for MemoryDiagnostics-Results

■ If RAM Is Faulty

• RAM is very durable (often 10 years+), but failures can happen
• Used PCs or mismatched RAM may cause errors
• Desktop PCs: easy to replace/upgrade RAM
• Laptops: some allow upgrades—check your specs

Step 6: Check CPU Performance & Upgrade Options

The CPU is the “brain.” If outdated or weak, it slows everything.

■ Check CPU in Task Manager

1. Task Manager → Performance → CPU
2. If usage is consistently 80–100%, it’s overloaded
3. CPU model (e.g., Intel Core i5-8250U) is also shown here

■ Can CPUs Be Replaced?

Depends on PC type:

■ When to Consider Replacing the PC

If:

• You have a laptop with non-upgradable CPU
• CPU is very old (e.g., pre-4th gen Intel Core)
• CPU isn’t supported by Windows 11

💡 Today’s PCs are far faster—even budget models often come with SSDs and sufficient RAM.

Conclusion: Find the Cause with Hardware Checks

PC slowdowns aren’t always software-related—hardware wear or weak performance can also be the cause.

Using these checks, you can pinpoint which part is the bottleneck:

• Is RAM sufficient and healthy?
• Is storage (SSD/HDD) in good condition?
• Is the CPU overloaded?
• Can components be upgraded?

By checking these, you’ll know whether to upgrade parts or buy a new PC.

✅ Haven’t read the previous guide on system checks (DISM & SFC repair) yet? Be sure to check that out too!