A lot of performance problems are not rooted in the GUI. Look elsewhere in the system for items that rob clock cycles and ram space.
First thing is how many background programs are running at the same time. If you're not using it, shut it down.
Second is how many windows optional programs are active. You can go to add/remove windows componets and uninstall what you don't need/want.
Third is if you have a second hard drive, move the paging file to the other drive. Make the c: drive PF as small as it will let you. Reason being the pagingfile is a priorty item. If the system needs to shove out or get something to the pagefile and a program you're running needs to access the drive, guess which one is going to have to wait? Your program.
Lastly, Clean this system up and often.
Adaware
CCleaner
Find Junk Files
RegscrubXP
Clean out the internet files using IE tools options.
Might not be the GUI giving you fits. A little TLC toward your rig will vastly improve performance.