Ok, so I am using Maya 8.0 on a windows XP Pro tower. The problem is that whenever I do anything it slows down my computer almost to a stall, the start menu does that blur effect as if the program is not responding, the CPU hits over 50%-90%, my ram drops like crazy. But its simple stuff, like a couple boxes with no texture, no animation, and preview quality rendering. I tried to paint trees and fire and what not using the actual paint tool, and that just killed my PC, but it is a new computer.

Here is the computers specs:

AMD athlon 64X2 4600+ Dule core CPU.
2.0GB of DDR2 800 ram (PC6200)
PCI ExpressX16 video card slot with a ATI Raideon X1950 PRO with 256MB GDDR3 video ram, a Serial ATA 3.0 250GB hard disk, 16X DVD +- RW Double Layer burner/reader.
19 Inch Widescrean LCD display, DVI out.
MS Windows XP Professional, legit copy I bought and registered.

System is defraged weekly, spyware/virus full system sweep weakly, or more. Does it matter on other system-specific variables such as virtual memory setup, or what memory is concentrating on? Such as programs vs. background processes? I have a friend who uses Maya 8.0 and has a much older computer that works better than my new one. Any thoughts, thanks!

Oh, P.S. I am a CompTIA A+, and Network+ certified
PC tech/ Network Tech, so I know how to keep my computer running well. So don't be afraid to be geeky with me! Would it be because of the ATI video card? would NVIDA be better?