Best software for optimizing gaming performance.

[Rossdowling321]

I was wondering if there was any tips for optimizing the pc so it doesn't run all the backroung processes/applications that aren't required, running windows 7 and specs:

it 4690
gtx 970
8gb 2133mhz
z97 board

Now I know its a decent rig but I will be multi tasking on the pc, and as games improve over the next year or two I was wondering if there was software to put my hardwares attention on the things that matter to me rather than idle processes, any other tips to keep my pc in check, like free software for registry cleaning etc?

 

[James Mason]

Well get an anti-virus right away. Avast is pretty good and can be put into game/silent mode so it doesn't bug you about stuff, and it's free.

But you shouldn't have any problems multitasking with that computer and you won't really see any boosts from performance enhancing software.

I tried a few and they were more annoying than manually closing things I wasn't using.

Just remember to only have 1 AV running, but you can keep something like Malwarebytes around to run occasionally for extra security (but turn it off when not in use)

CCleaner is a good registry and HDD cleaner.

Also it's a good idea to get adblocking software like AdblockPlus to keep a lot of the crap that sneaks into your computer off of it.

 

[Frag Maniac]

Ken Salter made one called FSAutostart that would automatically turn off all non essential programs and services. He renamed it to AlacrityPC when Vista came out and now it just refers you to BlackViper.com.

Ken's FSAutostart first appeared bundled with MS' Flight Sim 10, but then he made it standalone freeware.

There are of course the Nvidia and AMD so called optimizers that merely use databases of user settings, but there's only adequate data on titles that have been out a while, and results are at best hit and miss. I recommend avoiding them. I would also stay away from RAM defraggers, commonly called RAM "optimizers". Many can cause system problems.

Honestly, if you REALLY want to do this the way you described, all you're doing is freeing up a bit of RAM. You can do the same thing yourself one time just by using msconfig in the start menu and picking what startups you don't need or want, then checking Black Viper, which has all the service settings categorized with easy to understand tips.

I only have my AV, FW, and mouse software as startups. A LOT of progs and apps will make themselves startups when installing and updating, and most don't need to be. You can also right click the shortcut of any game, then click properties and compatibility. Check the Disable visual themes and Disable desktop composition boxes. This will avoid the OS loading unnecessary desktop scripts while the game is running, then allow them when you exit. You can also check the Run this program as administrator box to minimize potential problems.

Or, just add more RAM. 8GB being plenty is slowly becoming a thing of the past. A lot of gamers are going 16GB now.