Check laptop for slow performace

Recently a few days ago it feels like my laptop is acting slowly. I think either it is not getting enough power from the ac adapter (maybe it is broken somehow) or that my Radeon graphics card is working at minimum output. What kind of tests can I do to see whether these two are functioning properly.

 

You can try running 3DMark 11 and comparing it to other systems with exact same specs? What laptop is it?

 

It is Alienware m17x R3. How do I run this program and know if my laptop is operating at minimal abilities?

 

Where is it acting slow? Only on gaming or all the time? That's the 1st thing that I would like to know...
What are your system specifications?

 

All the time. It feels unnaturally slower. For example, when I was on YouTube trying to type something in the search box there was a delay between what I typed and what appeared on my screen. That kind of delay I only see on my old-age weak desktop but I never had this on my alienware laptop. Another example is that if I am using Internet Explorer and I click-and-drag the window the browser pops out of full screen mode into window mode. Well now that is no longer smooth also. When I do this, there is like a 1/2 a second delay where it freezes up and then jumps to where I moved it to.

It is a standard alienware m17x r3 with extra stuff. I think it is 6 gb of ram. It is 2 GB Radeon graphics card. And eight core i-7 processors.

NOTE: Suddenly, right now. My laptop is functioning fine. I have no idea why. I played Grand Theft Auto 4 and it ran exactly as it ran fine. Also all the slow delayed stuff I described before are gone. I have no idea what is causing this!

 

Just to make sure that everything is fine try running a a PSA.
I'm glad everything is good by now.

 

I ran the extended test and it said that the system is fine.

Is it possible that my video card, or cpu, becomes hot and that slows down the computer? How can I check for this?

 

to check for gpu over heating you could use gpu-z it is a program which does not require installation.
Download TechPowerUp GPU-Z v0.6.3 | techPowerUp (latest version I use)
a more accurate and detailed program, which I also use, for checking temps is hwinfo64 or hwinfo32, based on whether you have a 32 bit or 64 bit windows 7 system, it can be installed or used standalone, it gives cpu temp, gpu temp, and fan rpm readings "GPU thermal diode is probably more accurate reading).
HWiNFO64 Download (link is to hwinfo64, but can find 32 on same site)
hwmonitor is the final program and it also gives temp info for gpu and cpu
CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting (has 32 bit and 64 bit option downloads, and can be installed or used standalone)

 

You can do that by following this article.

 

My CPU temperature is between 49 and 55, depending on different cores.
My GPU temperature, without gaming, is right now at 82 degrees.

Is this normal?

 

Yeah they seem right.

 

82 degrees isn't bad in the R3 however, try stressing the video card either with a program for that purpose or by running a game and check the temps at the same time. It's best if it doesn't go higher than 90 degrees. If you want to keep your temps low, clean the vents periodically with compressed air as shown in the article posted by Porras and if you feel comfortable disassembling the computer, try re-pasting when necessary. That can significantly drop the temps. A cooling pad can help too. Keep the computer in a flat surface to ensure a good airflow.

 

82 degrees IDLING is not right

 

it could very well be your browser. I had similar issues with Firefox and youtube videos on my desktop.

Edit* I remember what I did to fix now, I right clicked on a video, and unchecked the box that came up..

 

U r right, I saw "gaming" and thought that those were the temps while gaming. If the computer is on 82C idle the you should probably do the pasting and use a cooling pad as my partner recommends.

 

Your CPU temp is fine, but 82 degrees idle for your video card is absolutely unacceptable. I would say that is your problem. Is the GPU fan running? It's the one on the right side of your laptop.