[iwwr]

What was the lag situation after an OS reimaging or reinstall?

Take a snapshot of a fresh OS install, with all necessary applications installed, running on the old hardware. Compare that with a snapshot of the old OS (before reinstallation), running on the new hardware. Generally, unless the hardware is really old, reinstalling Windows will get you a snappier system back.

If you're using an old HDD, consider swapping for a SSD.

If a little more performance is needed, consider overclocking the CPU by 15-20% if that's possible (a cpu cooler is much cheaper than a new machine).

Additionally, you should disable all graphic "special effects", Aero and other crap that comes with Windows.

[dangrossman]

Be careful, because sometimes disabling Aero actually makes the system slower. With Aero enabled, rendering the desktop and window UI/compositing/etc is done on the GPU. With it disabled, all that UI is now contending for CPU time.

[omh]

If there's an IT department to manage the PCs then he shouldn't have to do any of this. "The computer is inadequate for my work" should mean that IT come out, establish what they can do and make it happen.

If configuration changes like Aero or an SSD make a decent difference then the IT department are best placed to make them. They know all of the possible side effects, and when they get it right the benefit will reach everyone in the company.

[sukuriant]

I don't see overclocking being approved without incredibly tactful speaking