I've been using CCleaner for a really long time now and it really seems to not do the job for me. It doesn't have as many tools as I would like it to have so I've been thinking about buying System Mechanics latest version 9. I tested out version 8 and I was really satisfied with the product! My questions are:

Has anyone used System Mechanic before? How was your experience?
Has anyone bought System Mechanic? If so, how long have you had it for?
Are their any other products better than System Mechanic such as Tuneup Utilities 2009?
What is your opinion on tuneup software? Is it worth it?

I'm looking forward to an answer!

Why would you spend money on something you can do by hand?

And what could you possibly be tuning?

There is alot of programs like that, who suppose they do alot, but maybe do less then CCleaner.
And tuning is not same as cleaning, tuning can be overclocking or setting optimal settings..
But its always hard to know which are talking truth and not.
But its better to keep away from those, because its possible to do it yourself.
Another risk is if it messes with your registry.

Seriously, don't bother with so-called 'tuning', it does next to nothing. CCleaner and Defraggler for defragmentation (or a comparable free tool), are really all you need for the software-side of maintenance. (On the hardware side, you should clean out your computer of dust every 12 months or so.) Computers really don't need much work to keep them running. If your computer is running slowly, it's more likely that your hardware is outdated - another 1-2GB of RAM will be a far better investment than any tune-up software.

Or if you have an intake fan invest in a dust filter... if not, then invest in an intake fan. Tights work well too

Meh, dust inevitably gets in there somehow. You can never stop it

True, but these filters are so effective. It will be many a year before i have to worry about dust... i can't imagine in being for 10 years yet? Obviously cleaning the filter when i take it out for upgrades and such like, but good one's barely effect fan CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) since they don't physically stop the dust... they're like a net of tiny plastic wires that are positively charged, so they attract the dust particles.

We had something like that on school, just that we used my ruler..
It was rubbed on wool and then placed beside a sink with running water, and the water did a really nice turn.
I bet its about ionization, right?

For me i have most problems about dust in summer..
When i open the windows, poof! Seeds go straight into the case! (Flying with hairs on them..)
And other times it may come dust swiping right in, small particles though.
I cant keep the windows closed, then i would be boiled when i go in.

I read System Mechanic has features like Registry Revitalizer, PC Repair Wizard, PC Cleanup Wizard, and a Tune-Up Database where I can research several PC problems and it will tell me how to fix them. It's much more feature-packed and can really help me speed up my computer and it keep it new for a very long time. CCleaner probably will never include stuff like that.

Maybe it's lying to you?

How to tweak a computer:

Ccleaner, defrag, edit startup programs, edit services, using a registry cleaner.

All of which can be done free.

I wouldnt put the trust for editting the startup to a program, infact never.
The might dig in your system and mess up alot of the "machinery".
It's all starting from 1 file, and that 1 file is called ntldr, also named NT Loader.
If this file is invalid you cannot start your system, neither use Safe-Mode, because all depends on that single file, like a pipe in a house. It refers to other files, that do the startup procedures. And that is the point you can edit whats starting.
Mostly its about getting some personal programs started, which can be editted by you personally.
Go to Run in the start menu, type msconfig in that dialog and press enter.
You will then be presented with the best and free startup-editting tool by Microsoft.
You can then go into what programs to start and processes.
But, beware, some programs or services are drivers for special hardware. (My camera, a Canon needs a special driver to run a program that can read the camera.)
Therefore, beware of what you disable!
There is also possibility to disable all services and programs at startup on the first tab.
This is as Redmonke said, how to edit startup programs and services.

What are your current system specs and what do you use it for?

Alright I've decided not to purchase System Mechanic. I do agree that all you need is Defraggler, CCleaner, and MSCONFIG, to speed up my computer. Thanks everyone for your help. I do honestly appreciate it very much!

You purchased it even though you acknowledge that it's a completely redundant program and for the same price you could have bought some RAM or something else that would speed up your system exponentially more than that, which will most likely do nothing since you've already used CCleaner? Well, it's your money...

I just said I didn't purchase it...

Really? My bad, early in the morning and i misread it

Still, what are your system specs? There may be somewhere better that £30 could go...

Alright here they are.

OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU t5800 @2.00GHz
Memory: 3964MB RAM

Did I forget to include anything?

Forgot your video card, but that is okay.
Your processor itself is a little slow, but with 2 of them, that makes up the difference.
4GB of RAM is plenty and Vista is nice.
Post your HDD and Video card specs.
~Vincent

Veni, there's two cores, not two processors.

Disabling startup programs and programs running in the background is really the only performance increase you'll get, other than getting a new video card (depending on what you have now).

Oh, my bad
I keep saying that, I don't know why.
Yeah, but he looks pretty good otherwise.
~Vincent

Or... running Linux?

Graphics card specs using DirectX Diagnostic Tool

Mmmmm Intel GMA.

What exactly do you want faster? Your computer is just like mine just with an extra gig of RAM and a C2D instead of my Pentium dual core, and my computer is surprisingly fast.

Again, I can really only recommend fixing processes running in the background. So, open up task manager > processes > how many processes are running (make sure to click view for all users)?

Alright I understand. I will try to reduce the amount of processes running in the background.

I will let you know if their is a process I don't know whether I should disable or not.

I have a question here, is it normal to have 60 processes in background?

Depends.

On XP I usually have 35-40 processes, while in vista/7 I have 50-55.

That's with almost nothing unnecessary running in the background.

I'm running exactly 50.

You could try Linux for just browsing, it's a lot less bloated than windows and so uses less resources.