software advice

[Skouperd]

Depends on the purpose of the computer. This is what I will do on my typical gaming rig:

1. Windows 7, 64bit edition
2. Updated Desktop drivers
3. Update Windows 7
4. Install GPU drivers

then to ensure everything is as it should be the following tools:
1. Speedfan (or any other temp monitor program)
2. CPU-Z
3. GPU-Z
4. Crystal Disk Info
5. Cyrstal Disk Mark
6. HWM Blackbox (if I feel like it)
7. PC Wizard
8. IO Meter
9. 3dMark 06
10. 3dMark Vantage
11. 3dMark 03
12. 3dMark 11
13. Prime95

When I am satisfied that everything as above runs as it should, I will delete it all barring 3dMark06, Crystal Disk and the temp monitor of choice. (I rerun 3dMark06 with driver updates, Crystal disk to see the performance on SSD (mine doesn't support trim) and temp monitor when my pc is acting up.

Then I will start with the tools
1. 7Zip
2. Alchohol 120
3. UltraEdit
4. Firefox
5. VLC
6. Diskkeeper
7. Fraps

Then the programs
1. CS5
2. Skype
3. Steam
4. MS Office (maybe depending on how I feel)
5. ITunes

What I will NEVER install on my gaming rig is the following:
1. XFire
2. Anti-virus
3. Firewalls
4. Spyware
5. Widgets

[Megageth]

No anti-virus skoups? You also use Win32.NetSky.q?

Seriously, how do you get away without using protection?

[SlipperyDuck]

long showers, like the president

[Thor_23]

long showers, like the president

LMAO!!!

[Skouperd]

No anti-virus skoups? You also use Win32.NetSky.q?

Seriously, how do you get away without using protection?

The only reason I can run my gaming PC's without firewalls or AV is because I've made alternative arrangements for protection on my network. To put your mind at ease, I will never recommend anybody to go about totally unprotected.

All the computers in my house is sitting behind a hardware based firewall so chances of somebody hacking into me is slim. I also don't visit dodgy sites, open strange emails or install programs that I don't know about. When I do need to do any of the foremention I will do it from a secured Virtual Machine which I will boot up specifically for the occation (and then don't commit changes to the VHD when I am done). Only if I see the software that I installed did not install any malware or crap, will I install it on my gaming PC. Wheb I downloaded any files I will save them on my server where the file is scanned with Microsoft Security Essentials.

When I host LAN parties, then I will force the AV on the server to also do full network scans and warn me immediately about potential threats.

So, in summary, none of the data that is located on my gaming PC is of real value to me whatsoever (barring perhaps saved games which I only backup every now and again), so if I do get a virus on my gaming PC, I just format and reinstall. I take extra precaution by having a dedicated hardware firewall installed protecting my network. I also use VM's to test potential dodgy files before installing them on my main PC's.

[Megageth]

Wouldn't it be simpler just to take long showers?