Questions on background processes (gaming)

onelifecrisis · 11-16-09, 05:08 PM

A common recommendation for improved game performance is to shut down background processes. It's good advice - on my old machine (which ran XP on a single core CPU) it was practically mandatory. However my new machine is a different kettle of fish.

Given that my new PC is a quad-core, I am wondering, if a particular game...
(a) does not use anywhere near my total system RAM and
(b) is GPU locked
then am I correct in thinking that shutting down background processes (such as antivirus) is not going to help performance in that game?

nikimcbee · 11-16-09, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onelifecrisis

A common recommendation for improved game performance is to shut down background processes. It's good advice - on my old machine (which ran XP on a single core CPU) it was practically mandatory. However my new machine is a different kettle of fish.

Given that my new PC is a quad-core, I am wondering, if a particular game...
(a) does not use anywhere near my total system RAM and
(b) is GPU locked
then am I correct in thinking that shutting down background processes (such as antivirus) is not going to help performance in that game?

What OS are you using on your new system? I heard XP doesn't play nicely w/ quad-cores.

onelifecrisis · 11-16-09, 05:40 PM

Sorry I should have said, it's Vista 64bit.

longam · 11-16-09, 06:14 PM

With the duel and quad cores and 4GB RAM we seem to be ahead of the resource game, but I'm sure they will turn that around in the future.

Reece · 11-16-09, 07:40 PM

With a high end computer like yours OLC I would not worry about the background applications, I tried my dual core with Crysis, I went offline then using task manager shut most applications down! didn't seem to make much difference,

besides if you are online I'd be careful what you shutdown!

BTW, in my test I had 4GB of ram.

CaptainHaplo · 11-16-09, 08:49 PM

Think of a Pie.......

Yummy Pie.....

The entire Pie is how much your processor (regardless of # of cores) can process every cycle. Every process that is running is a slice of pie that is not available for your game. Sure, some processes are tiny in comparison to the total amount, but you don't have to be "CPU Locked" to get better performance. Just remember - a larger slice of Pie is good for games.

The other thing to realize is some processes themselves may be tiny, but they may depend on other parts of your PC to execute. A perfect example is the Gawdawful "searchindexer" process that somehow continues to still exist in Win7. The slowest component on your PC in most cases is the HD, and this process requires continual access to the HD as data changes. Thus, its "piece" of pie is small, but given the response time of the HD, the actual drag on the system is higher than just the "process" itself indicates.

This is why killing non-vital processes does more than solve "CPU Lock" issues and can speed your gaming performance well outside what the process would make you think.

Reece · 11-16-09, 11:21 PM

Well since I run XP I don't have "searchindexer", thank goodness for that eh!!

kiwi_2005 · 11-17-09, 04:50 AM

Good site for tweaking your os: http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

3 tweaking options, Safe, Tweaked or Barebones. Just choose your OS and go by his tutorial on what to keep & disable. Alot of it is straight forward stuff yet better to have some pro telling me than some noob.

AVGWarhawk · 11-17-09, 09:07 AM

As Reeece said...do not worry about it. I run AMD 9850x4 and have 59 processing going. I play all my games without shutting down a darn thing. It makes life less complicated OLC. Before and like you stated it was mandatory to shut down processes with a single core. Such pain in the butt. I love turning on the computer and just start playing. As far as having programs open, online, playing music, burning a CD, having a chat window open and on Teamspeak all at th same time without a hiccup...these machines can do it. I run 64 bit also. Probably the best move I made on this computer.

What is the craziest, having your AV running a scan in the background while you're online fragging some dude on the other side of the world and you do not even notice the AV is scanning.

After a few weeks of ownership of the new rig you will wonder why in the hell you waited so long to upgrade!

onelifecrisis · 11-17-09, 10:39 AM

Thanks for your answers guys!

Yeah I think I will go with the "easy life" option.

FIREWALL · 12-05-09, 12:12 PM

GameBooster Quick, Simple, Free.

11-16-09, 05:08 PM	#1
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	Questions on background processes (gaming) A common recommendation for improved game performance is to shut down background processes. It's good advice - on my old machine (which ran XP on a single core CPU) it was practically mandatory. However my new machine is a different kettle of fish. Given that my new PC is a quad-core, I am wondering, if a particular game... (a) does not use anywhere near my total system RAM and (b) is GPU locked then am I correct in thinking that shutting down background processes (such as antivirus) is not going to help performance in that game?

11-16-09, 07:40 PM	#5
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,811 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	With a high end computer like yours OLC I would not worry about the background applications, I tried my dual core with Crysis, I went offline then using task manager shut most applications down! didn't seem to make much difference, besides if you are online I'd be careful what you shutdown! BTW, in my test I had 4GB of ram. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

11-16-09, 08:49 PM	#6
CaptainHaplo Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,404 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Think of a Pie....... Yummy Pie..... The entire Pie is how much your processor (regardless of # of cores) can process every cycle. Every process that is running is a slice of pie that is not available for your game. Sure, some processes are tiny in comparison to the total amount, but you don't have to be "CPU Locked" to get better performance. Just remember - a larger slice of Pie is good for games. The other thing to realize is some processes themselves may be tiny, but they may depend on other parts of your PC to execute. A perfect example is the Gawdawful "searchindexer" process that somehow continues to still exist in Win7. The slowest component on your PC in most cases is the HD, and this process requires continual access to the HD as data changes. Thus, its "piece" of pie is small, but given the response time of the HD, the actual drag on the system is higher than just the "process" itself indicates. This is why killing non-vital processes does more than solve "CPU Lock" issues and can speed your gaming performance well outside what the process would make you think. __________________ Good Hunting! Captain Haplo

11-16-09, 11:21 PM	#7
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,811 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Well since I run XP I don't have "searchindexer", thank goodness for that eh!! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

11-17-09, 04:50 AM	#8
kiwi_2005 Eternal Patrol Join Date: May 2004 Location: Aeoteroa Posts: 7,382 Downloads: 223 Uploads: 1	Good site for tweaking your os: http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm 3 tweaking options, Safe, Tweaked or Barebones. Just choose your OS and go by his tutorial on what to keep & disable. Alot of it is straight forward stuff yet better to have some pro telling me than some noob. __________________ RIP kiwi_2005 Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others.

11-16-09, 05:40 PM	#3
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	Sorry I should have said, it's Vista 64bit.

11-16-09, 06:14 PM	#4
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	With the duel and quad cores and 4GB RAM we seem to be ahead of the resource game, but I'm sure they will turn that around in the future.

11-17-09, 09:07 AM	#9
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 27,343 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	As Reeece said...do not worry about it. I run AMD 9850x4 and have 59 processing going. I play all my games without shutting down a darn thing. It makes life less complicated OLC. Before and like you stated it was mandatory to shut down processes with a single core. Such pain in the butt. I love turning on the computer and just start playing. As far as having programs open, online, playing music, burning a CD, having a chat window open and on Teamspeak all at th same time without a hiccup...these machines can do it. I run 64 bit also. Probably the best move I made on this computer. What is the craziest, having your AV running a scan in the background while you're online fragging some dude on the other side of the world and you do not even notice the AV is scanning. After a few weeks of ownership of the new rig you will wonder why in the hell you waited so long to upgrade! __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

11-17-09, 10:39 AM	#10
onelifecrisis Maverick Modder Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: England Posts: 3,895 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 3	Thanks for your answers guys! Yeah I think I will go with the "easy life" option.

12-05-09, 12:12 PM	#11
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	GameBooster Quick, Simple, Free. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???