My iMac (2009) slows down after I go to sites that are memory intensive

Question

I have noticed my computer slows down to a crawl after I use sites that I believe are memory intensive.  Example of that is iFirstrowSports.eu (streams soccer games live).  The latest one was Wix where my wife was building her web site using their html5 tools.  I have also noticed that when the system is running slow, not all websites run as slow as others.  Fro example abola.pt is very slow, while yahoo.com or yahoo mail will be slow but not horrible.  I am wondering if it has to do with how those sites use memory or the technology they leverage.I went to EtrCheck and run a report.  Note that this report was done when the system is performing well.I would appreciate some help and advice.ThanksProblem description:machine slows down when I go to sites that use video (ifirstrowsports.eu as an example) or memory (wix site creation tools)EtreCheck version: 2.1.8 (121)Report generated March 1, 2015 2:34:52 PM PSTDownload EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheckClick the [Click for support] links for help with non-Apple products.Click the [Click for details] links for more information about that line.Hardware Information: ℹ️    iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) (Technical Specifications)    iMac - model: iMac11,3    1 2.93 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core    4 GB RAM         BANK 0/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 1/DIMM0            2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok        BANK 0/DIMM1            Empty           BANK 1/DIMM1            Empty       Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported    Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/nVideo Information: ℹ️    ATI Radeon HD 5750 - VRAM: 1024 MB        iMac 2560 x 1440        spdisplays_display_connector System Software: ℹ️    Mac OS X 10.6.8 (10K549) - Time since boot: 18 days 7:33:22Disk Information: ℹ️    ST31000528AS disk0 : (931.51 GB)        - (disk0s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 999.86 GB (581.16 GB free)    OPTIARC DVD RW AD-5680H  USB Information: ℹ️    LaCie P&#x27;9233 Desktop Drive 1.82 TB        - (disk1s1) &lt;not mounted&gt; : 210 MB         Time Machine (disk1s2) /Volumes/Time Machine : 2.00 TB (1.54 TB free)    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader     Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub         Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller     Dell Dell USB Optical Mouse     Apple Inc. Built-in iSight     Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver Kernel Extensions: ℹ️        /Library/Parallels/Parallels Service.app    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook (7.0 15106.786747) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor (7.0 15106.786747) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge (7.0 15106.786747) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic (7.0 15106.786747) [Click for support]        /System/Library/Extensions    [not loaded]    com.ni.Fantom.nxtfwdl (1.1.1) [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect (7.0 15106.786747) [Click for support]Startup Items: ℹ️    Fantom: Path: /Library/StartupItems/Fantom    Startup items are obsolete in OS X YosemiteProblem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [not loaded]    org.samba.winbindd.plist [Click for support]Launch Agents: ℹ️    [running]    com.mcafee.menulet.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.mcafee.reporter.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.desktop.launch.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.parallels.DesktopControlAgent.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.parallels.vm.prl_pcproxy.plist [Click for support]Launch Daemons: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.fitbit.fitbitd.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.fitbit.galileod.plist [Click for support]    [unknown]    com.mcafee.ssm.ScanManager.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.mcafee.virusscan.fmpd.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.parallels.desktop.launchdaemon.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.sonos.smbbump.plist [Click for support]User Launch Agents: ℹ️    [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Click for support]    [failed]    com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist    [loaded]    com.citrixonline.GoToMeeting.G2MUpdate.plist [Click for support]    [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Click for support]    [running]    com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Click for support]User Login Items: ℹ️    iTunesHelper    Application Hidden (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)    Google Drive    Application  (/Applications/Google Drive.app)    Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper    Application  (/Applications/Fitbit Connect.app/Contents/MacOS/Fitbit Connect Menubar Helper.app)    Spotify    Application  (/Applications/Spotify.app)    handyPrintDaemon    Application  (/Users/[redacted]/Library/PreferencePanes/handyPrint.prefPane/Contents/Library /LoginItems/handyPrintDaemon.app)    Dropbox    UNKNOWN  (missing value)    Dropbox    Application  (/Users/[redacted]/Desktop/Dropbox.app)    Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2    Application Hidden (/Library/Printers/Canon/IJScanner/Utilities/Canon IJ Network Scanner Selector2.app)    Google Chrome    Application Hidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 13.9.8 - SDK 10.6 Check version    FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    EPPEX Plugin: Version: 3.0.5.0 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.10 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.305 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.6.6    OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.3 [Click for support]    SiteAdvisor: Version: 2.0 - SDK 10.1 [Click for support]    Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20125.0 - SDK 10.6 [Click for support]    iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0 - SDK 10.7User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️    CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.105 [Click for support]Safari Extensions: ℹ️    SiteAdvisorAudio Plug-ins: ℹ️    iSightAudio: Version: 7.6.63rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️    3ivx MPEG-4  [Click for support]    Flash Player  [Click for support]    handyPrint  [Click for support]Time Machine: ℹ️    Time Machine information requires OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later.Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️        89%    Google Drive        42%    storeagent        30%    syslogd        29%    mDNSResponder         1%    VShieldScanManagerTop Processes by Memory: ℹ️    198 MB    Google Chrome    193 MB    App Store    125 MB    Google Chrome Helper    103 MB    WindowServer    82 MB    mdsVirtual Memory Information: ℹ️    1.48 GB    Free RAM    1.57 GB    Active RAM    667 MB    Inactive RAM    572 MB    Wired RAM    44.20 GB    Page-ins    8.43 GB    Page-outsDiagnostics Information: ℹ️    Feb 28, 2015, 05:30:53 PM    /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/SystemUIServer_2015-02-28-1730 53_[redacted].crash

Linc Davis · Answer

Please read this whole message before doing anything.This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.Test while in safe mode. Same problem?After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

baltwo · Answer

Your machine can hold at least 16 GB RAM. Consider increasing. Prices at Crucial and others is about $33 USD for 4 GB modules.27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10.2), Mavs, ML &amp; SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 &amp; 9.2.2