Computer becoming extremely slow. It's brand new.

[PatrickRT]

I just got this computer about 2 weeks ago, and ALREADY I am getting lag problems. I have the CPU widget, and when I am JUST on the web browser, I get about 50-70 CPU being used. My specs are:
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+
Nvidia GeForce GT 430
And if it helps, I AM using an external HDD for most of my programs, since the original PC came with only 250 GB.

 

[cliffordcooley]

Which applications do you have installed to the external?
What connection type and speed is the external HDD?

I'm not sure I would install applications to a USB 2.0 drive. Especially if the applications are used frequently. I know I wouldn't if the application installs memory resident system monitors that run 24/7. However I usually disable these monitors from running at startup as well.

 

[PatrickRT]

The external drive only has 2 GAMES on it. I have only 2 programs I am aware of on startup also, Spotify, Skype. Donno what connection type and speed is.

 

[cliffordcooley]

USB(2.0 vs 3.0), eSATA(2.0 vs 3.0), Firewire(S400 <> S3200), Ethernet(10/100 vs 1000), Thunderbolt, ect...?

I'm probably asking the wrong questions anyway. Have you also scanned for Mal-ware?