Norton 2004/Gaming

[Uber_Gamer]

Hey fellow PCMech'ers!
I keep reading threads talking about how Norton AntiVirus is detrimental to gameplay. This kind of freaks me out. I'm almost going to build my first computer ('bout 2 weeks from now) and I was planning on installing Norton AntiVirus Professional. I have gotten viruses on previous computers and it sucks, so I really want to put Norton on this new computer, but as it is a gaming computer I do not want to degrade the performance of my games. Btw, I will be running demanding games such as Frozen Throne, UT2k4, and Farcry. These will be the components in my computer:
- Aspire X-Dreamer II - Black
- swapping out PSU for Enlight 420 Watt PSU
- ASUS P4P800 E-Deluxe
- Pentium 4 2.8C (800 fsb) Northwood
- 120 gb Seagate HD 7200 rpm 8 mb cache
- 128 mb ATI RADEON 9800 Pro
- Dual Channel 2 x 256 mb Corsair XMS PC3200 RAM

So is it pertinent that I DO NOT install Norton on this gaming computer? And does Norton really affect performance? AND I've heard mention that Norton can be turned off when installing and playing games... does this work? And how can I turn it off?

Thanks in advance,
Uber_Gamer

[mikezel]

I dont think there should be any real issue. I would rather take the protection from virii than get a few extra FPS anyway. I have Norton 2003 and i play farcry and ut2004, and it works fine for me. You can always right click the Norton icon and "disable autoprotect" when installing or playing, and you shouldnt hafta worry about it.

Also, you could always use a different program, such as NOD32 (highly recommended here) or AVG.

Hope that helps
Mike

[Bob42]

Personally, on "my" computer, Norton 2004 regularly crashes during playing pretty much any game. It gets really annoying, and all tech support says is "reinstall norton." I've done that 4 times, and it still crashes. I think this could just be an odd random problem.

[Uber_Gamer]

Hm... Interesting... I wonder if this was just a freak incident? I really want AntiVirus protection and I already have the software for Norton, but am worried about games. Even if Norton does have problems, if I disable Norton will it eliminate them during install and gameplay?

[Redfallon]

Originally posted by Uber_Gamer I really want AntiVirus protection and I already have the software for Norton

Send it back

Originally posted by Uber_Gamer if I disable Norton will it eliminate them during install and gameplay?

Yes, but, are you using a broadband internet connection? Do you have a firewall, hardware or software?

[glc]

Norton 2004 is a huge hog. I'm a Norton fanboy, but I won't use 2004 - 2003 is a lot easier to deal with.

[Uber_Gamer]

Yes I have broadband internet... I have 1500k ( ) Comcast cable internet. I don't currently have a firewall though I may get one depending on compatability with games; as I've had previous ones that didn't allow games to connect to the internet for online play. Should I get a firewall? And does disabling auto-protect on the Norton icon effectively turn it off? GLC you said that Norton is a huge power hog, this is only when auto-protect is enabled, correct?

[Bob42]

If you have broadband, you should get a firewall. Since it is always on, no firewall is always leaving your computer open for viruses, hackers, etc.
Personally I think my crashing issue may be caused by a virus itself, but Norton 2004 still uses a lot of CPU and RAM on occasion. As of right now, all of Norton's assorted processes are using 72mb of RAM, but no CPU. It isnt even doing anything at the moment. I only have 256mb RAM, so that's only 184mb left for a game, if I was playing one. Norton does work pretty well for controlling viruses and has a firewall (If you get Norton Internet Security), but it takes up more resources than other programs.

[Uber_Gamer]

If I have 512 mb of Corsair XMS PC3200 (2 x 256) running dual channel, will it be able to handle everything? I'm later going to upgrade to a gig running dual channel...