How do you config XP for Gaming?

[bob943]

I just wanted to get some comparisons of how PC gamers setup their Windows XP systems to get the most out of their games, and still have an "Office" type PC with Office apps, Antivirus, Antispyware, etc.

For example, I dual-boot my machine. I have my office apps/e-mail on one partition with my Antivirus, Antispyware etc. On the gaming partition I keep it lean, turn off any services that I've read aren't necessary etc. I don't have any antivirus or other stuff runnin. I'm not sure how much this helps the system.

[apocalypse]

C-drive: OS
D-drive: Storage
E-drive: Applications
F-drive: Video Capture

When I am gaming (usually host a server) the only thing I disable is my web filter/proxy software as I have tested it and it causes bandwidth issues.

As far as disabling services, I never do anything extra before gaming. I have disabled useless services after the install of Windows, but never before gaming to help improve performance.

The only instance I can think of disabling services to make a large performance gain would be if I had a processor less than 1 Ghz with 256 MB or less of memory.

Disabling the anti-virus software will free up some memory, but I have never seen it actively scanning while gaming. If it did, I would disable the software.

If you are using Windows XP, start your "office profile" and then start up task manager. Go to the "Performance" tab and check the "available memory" and "CPU usage". Then go to the "Processes" tab and disable any you don't think you need. Compare the before and after. More than likely it won't be a big difference.