Decreasing System Processes = improving gameplay?

[715]

My CPU usage on idle fluctuates from 0%, 4%, 2%, 0%, repeats.

... Should I even consider a program like this, is having 50+ background processes be perfectly fine according to my CPU usage?

I once did a test: I measured AH performance (fps) with my normal many background processes running (I think it was like 45 at the time) and then redid the same benchmark test with less than half as many background processes running.  The fps were identical.  (That doesn't mean a background process might not affect AH in other ways, like causing brief hickups at inopportune times, but in my brief test I didn't really notice anything.  I've even had Nod32 auto download and install updated definitions in the background while running AH and it doesn't really do much.)

[Fulmar]

I'm with 715 on this.

The only time I have ever truly, honestly noticed a difference in FPS between running applications in the background vs. limited processes running in a game was on PCs that could barely play the game to begin with.  And it was usually on single core CPUs in non-multithreaded programs back in the day.

Unless you have a serious, out of control, poorly maintained computer, i.e. my mother-in-laws vista laptop that hunkered in 105 processes on boot-up, you probably aren't going to notice too big of a difference.  You really have to have a slow computer/exuberant amount of applications running to really gain a noticeable affect off of FPS.  Granted there are exceptions to the rule, that being some program dialing home or running a scan etc.  These will more than likely show a hiccup.

At this moment typing this I have 54 processes running on my Win7 computer (2.8ghz C2D, 4GB Ram).  If I went all nazi and turned off 20 processes, I can safely say I'd see a noticeable difference in FPS performance.

Now I'm not against keeping stuff out of the background, the 54 I have running now are programs I use fairly often that I warrant leaving them in the taskbar etc (Steam, Keyboard profiler, Gmail, AV, Mouse profiler etc).  Keeping your programs limited will help your boot-up time and certain multi-tasking things, but if you consistently have to keep killing apps to keep your computer running smoothly, you may be in need of an upgrade. 

I'm sure some of you will disagree with this, but in my computing experience you don't always have to go on that vegan diet.

[Chalenge]

Yes but as 715 hinted its not about FPS strictly. Background processes are usually idle if the Task Manager can be relied upon but if and when a process like protexis license engine kicks on (or iTunes to name the worst one) its a different story. Nod32 is very tame compared with Steam or Norton or Intuit which can and do cause freeze ups and major warping.

Also Im betting you have your network optimized with port range forwarding to your machines static IP and other things that typical users dont know how to do. It makes a difference.

[Ghastly]

It's generally not so much the number of processes (presuming the systems isn't so limited in RAM that the footprint of the loaded modules has an impact) but rather the number of processes that do stuff while you are playing that cause most issues.

Turn them off, and they can't do stuff while you are playing.  Even if they generally don't do stuff while you are playing, Murphy awaits any opportunity and leaving them running makes it possible.

<S>

[EskimoJoe]

Thank you for the good replies gents.

Hmmm... what went wrong?  I've used AlacrityPC on XP, Vista, and Win 7, and never had any problems.  Were you logged on as a user in the "Administrators" User Group?

I was logged in as admin. I extracted the files to my 'downloads' folder as per usual, and ran the setup/installer. An error popped up and said 'xxxx could not be found'. I haven't bothered since, may try reinstalling.

Then again, based off some of these replies, I might just keep it as is. My last computer was running XP, with around 20 processes running at any time, so I assumed that 50+ was terrible. Hearing that it isn't uncommon is nice, as well as hearing that the number of running processes doesn't greatly impact gameplay.

[Chalenge]

It really depends on what else you use your system for. If all you do is load Windows an antivirus and one or two games then you shouldnt need it. Once you start loading tax programs financial budget programs office programs and anything Adobe makes then its another story. If you load Norton at all then its like throwing a virus on your machine voluntarily and even limiting processes wont help. Of course then there is also the sound problem. If you use USB headphones or onboard sound then you definately want to limit processes.

If you do try again then right click on the installer and choose 'Run as Administrator.'

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I'm currently running Windows Vista (home basic). I ran a dxdiag, but couldn't find if I had 'Service Pack 2', but I did see '6.0, build 6002.

To the chase, I'm looking for a program that cuts my backround processes down to a minimum for flying Aces High. I'm currently having anywhere between 50-60 processes running at any time. I know I could do it manually, but that is a -lot- of time spent looking to see what I could have, shouldn't have, etc.

I know there is a program around the internet that cuts the number of processes running in the backround. I searched the forums here, but I can't for the life of me find a name of such a program. Anybody have a program like this on their system? Is it safe to turn off most of my processes (antivirus and such) while only playing AHII?

Any help is appreciated.

First question should be: Are you having performance problems? If not, leave it alone. Vista and windows 7 work differently from XP and if you start chopping away processes you can actually end up neutering your OS to a level it will start glitching and slow you down.

[Sid]

Also Im betting you have your network optimized with port range forwarding to your machines static IP and other things that typical users dont know how to do. It makes a difference.

As a typical users who doesn't know how to do this. If it makes a "difference", any chance of expanding on your comment or pointing me in the direction of a site where I might learn?

[RTHolmes]

Alacrity requires .net to run (adding more processes ... ) do you have it installed?

[FLOTSOM]

Alacrity requires .net to run (adding more processes ... ) do you have it installed?

well its a trade off, you are adding 1 process to easily shut down 10, 15, 20 or more processes with just 1 click of the mouse.

[Bino]

Don't forget to check the list of "nasty" Windows processes posted by Skuzzy over in the Technical Support forum:

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,71591.0.html

[Chalenge]

As a typical users who doesn't know how to do this. If it makes a "difference", any chance of expanding on your comment or pointing me in the direction of a site where I might learn?

The first step is to use a router. You cant do this without one.
Second you want to use secure settings and a DNS service like OpenDNS even though for the purposes of port range forwarding it makes no difference.
Third you want to set your system up so that it is using a static IP. That way your systems IP never changes and your router knows where to send those delicious little packets.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4393725_static-ip-address-win-xp.html

Fourth you have to go into your router and set up (usually accessed by setting your browser to 192.168.1.1 and logging in) In the Applications & Gaming area there will be a tab for Port Range Forwarding. The application name will be set to aceshigh.exe and the range will be 2000 to 6000 for both protocols (TCP and UDP) and the To IP will be set to your static IP. Dont forget to click Enable.

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/6160/introduction_to_port_forwarding/

[Sid]

Many thanks Chalenge, will have a play. 

[RTHolmes]

Second you want to use secure settings and a DNS service like OpenDNS

Third you want to set your system up so that it is using a static IP.

Fourth you have to go into your router and set up (usually accessed by setting your browser to 192.168.1.1 and logging in) In the Applications & Gaming area there will be a tab for Port Range Forwarding.

how does OpenDNS, static IPs and port forwarding speed AH up?

[Chalenge]

OpenDNS will help to prevent you from downloading the little nasties that "phone home" in the first place or from visiting the nasty web sites that then follow up your visit with perpetual hits on your IP.

Port range forwarding is not about speeding up AH but I do believe that it will prevent the majority of the little screen freezes and warps and disconnects associated with "Lost UDP switching to TCP." I used to get that message once a week and then a lost host message. When I added Port Range Forwarding (recommended by Skuzzy in the Tech forum BTW) I got a whole lot fewer of those messages but when I do I usually can stay connected long enough to land for relog.

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,68316.0.html

EDIT: The whole idea is made easier if you understand that the router has two IP addresses. One is seen from the internet and the other is seen from your network. Nothing on the internet can see the IP on your machine local to your network. So you have to tell the router (the Gateway in and out) where you want the packets translated to... as it were. In a nutshell.