Looking for best freeware game booster thingie

O

OBIO

Retired SOH Admin
Ya know, the nifty little program that shuts down all the unneeded stuff to maximize system resources for gaming/simming. I tried the freeware IOBIT Game Booster, but in order for it to shut down AVG and a few other things, I would need to buy the Pro editon. What freeware game booster will shut down even my A/V? I tried shutting down AVG manually and it would not stay off....I have since switched to Microsoft Security Essentials to see how it does and it too will not stay OFF.

OBIO
 
Obio - I use the IOBIT Game Booster thing which I find effective while simple to use (compared with other alternatives). Regarding your AntiVirus tho, I would highly recommend switching to Avast - unlike AVG it gives you total independent control of when you want it on or off (a feature AVG used to have). Very useful for any off-line activities. I have also found it more effective and less system intrusive than AVG (which I belive is now under the wing of Norton industries - explains a lot!).
Just my tu'pence worth!

A.

Oh MY! We have a blizzard in London!!
 
I use Game Booster version 1.6. Game Booster 2 is out and 1.6 is constantly asking me to upgrade, but some reviews of the free version of Game Booster 2.0 are not so nice. Version 2.1 was just released, it might be better and the initial reviews seem good.
 
I guess my computer is just strong.

I have GB 2.0, had 1.6, used both and could really see no real assistance in FS9 or FSX, got the same fps with or without GB. Tried Alacrity too, didn't like it as good as GN, but it showed no improvement over what I was already getting either. So I used nothing. I have AVG, doesn't mess with me, if I really need to turn the bee-atch off, I do it through the Task Manager.

Caz
 
Hi,

IMHO:
If you have a PC from the Ice ages with 250 MB RAM Game Booster or his brothers can be helpful.
If you have a decent PC (3Ghz 1 or 2 GB RAM) those boosters can be helpful if:
you don't know how stop the auto updates services of softwares or OS .. if you don't know how disable a realtime scanner ( or use the exclusions options) of antivirus or antimalware
Keep in mind that the many services that can be disabled (and also some graphic options from OS) consume a very tiny part of memory.
The important things to stop is all activities concerning realtime files scanning etc .....
 
I also use Avast. Auto updates only take a few seconds, so even if I'm flying, it's not very noticeable. It also has a "Silent" mode where it won't tell you that an update has been done. But even if that's off, it still won't notifiy of an update if there's a full-screen app running, such as FS. I also do all my system scans manually, since I don't leave my PC running when I'm sleeping or not at home.
 
Game Booster

I tried using Game Booster with FS9, actually made things worse.Some textures wouldn't load on planes and scenery. It seems to work ok with CFS1,2,haven't tried it with CFS3 or IL2,or First Eagles.
I still relay with using msconfig and the intructions for doing that on the old CFS3 site,it always works for FS9 ,have been using it for years to shut down backround programs.I disconnect my modem after getting real time weather if I'am using that cause it shuts down my virus protection, PCillian from Trendmicro.
Just be careful when using msconfig as hitting ok when you shouldn't can mess up your registery and you have to go into that and reset every thing manualy(ya learned that the hard way.)
Other wise using msconfig has been the way to go for me and FS9 and CFS3 for years. In other words I use a clean boot when running FS9 and the instructions for doing that are on the old CFS3 site and from Microsoft. Just thought I'd put in my two cents worth as to what works for me.
 
just downloaded 2.1

I wasn't aware when I made my first post the v2.1 was out ,I just downloaded it,(why do they make it so hard to figure out how to download new versions? Or maybe it's just me and Google Chrome.)Will try the newer version with FS9 and see what happens.
 
OBIO,

I use FSAutoStart. There is also a newer product, AltricityPC, which is by the same designer. Haven't gotten around to trying that one yet.

With FSAutoStart it will shut down programs and services that run in the background, as well as defragmenting memory to free up as much RAM as possible. Since I only have 1 Gb of RAM I can attest for its effectiveness for running FS9 on my machine. Shutting down services is really handing for insuring that there are no automatic program updates running in the background when I'm trying to fly.

Anyways, one of the nice features is that you can directly edit the *.ini files, and have multiple *.ini files for any program you need to run through maximized memory. I also use End-it-All to sometimes see what is running while I'm in FS9. Some programs and services cannot or should not be shut down, so getting FSAutoStart setup properly is sometimes a trial and error effort - especially if you are one to add or remove a lot of programs.

I should also mention that I run MSSE. It doesn't have a big memory impact on FS9.

--WH
 
I have noticed that since I switched to MS Security Essentials, my FS9 frame rates have dropped. I am sure it's because I have it set to monitor programs and file usage in real time...just need to tweak the settings. For the longest time, I have not had an issue with running FS9 with all the stuff running in the background...such as AVG and Snapper. But here lately, my frame rates have dropped. Either I need to do a reformat and rebuild of the OS...which is planned soon as I will be removing the 160gig IDE C drive and replacing it with a 250gig SATA drive and upgrading from XP Home to XP Pro. Or it could be the result of having 6 leaking capacitors on my MOBO....been leaking for quite a while now...I am surprised the old system is still running.

OBIO
 
I've tried Alacrity, don't use it any more, didn't notice a discernible difference.

What I did try and like..

In the FSX forum is a thread that mentions auto-tweaks, the link takes you to an auto-tune for your FSX cfg file. No use to 9 really, but it does mention an external fps limiter which I quite like, no fps increase (it's still limited D'oh) but less stuttering over complex areas is my experience when used in FS9 and X.You basically set fps to unlimited in sim and use this app via .bat file to limit them independently. Check in the X forum if your interested, thread by Willy.

Jamie
 
OBIO said:
I have noticed that since I switched to MS Security Essentials, my FS9 frame rates have dropped. I am sure it's because I have it set to monitor programs and file usage in real time...just need to tweak the settings. For the longest time, I have not had an issue with running FS9 with all the stuff running in the background...such as AVG and Snapper. But here lately, my frame rates have dropped. Either I need to do a reformat and rebuild of the OS...which is planned soon as I will be removing the 160gig IDE C drive and replacing it with a 250gig SATA drive and upgrading from XP Home to XP Pro. Or it could be the result of having 6 leaking capacitors on my MOBO....been leaking for quite a while now...I am surprised the old system is still running.

OBIO
Click to expand...
Hmmmm.... Any kind of protection can be a pain. I used McAfee when it was free from my ISP. Later when they went to Norton, it was much worse. After reading posts on the forum I went to MSSE and am much happier in terms of overall system impacts.

I have my MSSE set to perform updates and scans once a week, and I have excluded FS9 from all scans. It automatically checks for updates daily.

My logic is that the first line of defense is my ISP. The second line of defense is my firewall which is on at all times. The third line of defense is the virus scanner, specifically for any downloads and e-mails. Although I scan my system weekly I figure if a trojan or virus got to my system, its too late.

--WH
 
Used Norton for many years now,last before that was Bullgaurd or something, came free with myPC,soon went back to Norton though.From my own stand-point, NEVER had any problems whilst using Norton, whilst it may be more 'hungry' I'll put up with that for piece of mind, Norton is good, but it doesn't protect a computer from it's main threat, an idiot user. Security is part protection, part sense. You wouldn't go sticking your Johnson in a lady of ill repute without a condom would you, and if she's that rough even then, lol. The condom is your AV, your the sense that says a condom ain't enough. The hooker is thedodgy lookin' site you just clicked on inadvertently (or not, lol).

I'll suffer a few fps for virus free life,
Jamie
 
I had Norton 2003 with definition update subscriptions ever since it came with this PC four years ago. Then last winter, Norton decided not to allow a new subscription. So I bought their 2010 product. It was like trying swim in frozen tree sap. Boot-up and shut-down times trippled and FS took a big frame hit. Then it let in a nasty little bug that FUBAR'd all my application associations. Every file I clicked, I had to tell Windows which program to open it with. I'll stick with Avast from now on.
 
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