How can my application icons draw slowly?

Question

I'm trying to trouble shoot how it's possible that my new MP 5,1 is slow to draw simple application icons when first opening the Applications folder, I see generic icons until they resolve to the actual ones.
My previous MP1,1 with dual 8-Core upgrade never did this and this machine, Apple assures me that my new MP while only a single Quad core is a faster processor, with faster RAM and a faster Graphics Card (Radeon HD 5770).
I’m running 10.7.5 Lion but when I boot off my Snow Leopard drive (kept for needed legacy non-Lion apps), this redraw issue doesn’t happen, which I assume implies this is a software vs. hardware issue?
AppleCare suggests I do a clean install on my Lion drive, which I haven’t done over several OS upgrades, which I really should do regardless as my system software is quite the Frankenstein conglomeration by now.
But I’m still wondering, if part of the issue might be my graphics card is inadequate in the Lion environment plus running 2 monitors and should I either get a 2nd 5770 card to have a separate card for each monitor, or maybe get a 5870 for the HP 30″ monitor and use the 5770 for my Cinema Display (which is more for holding extra Desktop files and tools windows from various apps both of which are low level use).
Or is the Radeon card I’ll conceived and to do it “right” I need to swap out to a higher faster card(s).
SPECS: 3.2 Quad Core, stock Radeon HD 5770 – running a 30″ HP LP3065 & good old 22″ Cinema Display, Lion 10.7.5
I’m also wondering if I goofed not getting the 3.3 GHz 6-Core processor instead of going with stock 3.2 Quad Core?
Or since the Snow Leopard drive draws fine with no lag time, that this is in fact probably a problem with my Lion drive and a clean install should speed things up?

Answer 1

Please read this whole message before doing anything. This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it. Step 1 The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account. Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.” While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin. Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem? After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it. *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing. Step 2 The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows: 
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in 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.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.