How many processes should ideally be running?

[deathwinger]

Hi, right now on my system I have these things running

Google Chrome
3 PDFs in Adobe Reader
Call of Duty 4
Digsby
Free Download Manager
Steam

As of now, I have 120 processes running. Is this normal for Windows 7 or in order to get ideal performance, there should be less running?

I use this computer for editing and would like to know how much more performance I can get out of it that might be held back by the unnecessary processes.


Thanks.

 

[fseal]

Well that depends on how much memory and CPU you have... The i77 20 is ok, and memory will be fine till you run out. The computer will be fast fast fast right till then then be horribly slow THEN you know you better shut dome programs down...

I only have 75 processes running with Normal windows, MSE, WHS connector, IE, a game open and WMP12 running. Looks like you may have a larger than normal number of things running. But just check your CPU usage and your emmory usage in the task manager, if your not close to maxing them out then your ok.

 

[SlackerITGuy]

Hi, right now on my system I have these things running

Google Chrome
3 PDFs in Adobe Reader
Call of Duty 4
Digsby
Free Download Manager
Steam

As of now, I have 120 processes running. Is this normal for Windows 7 or in order to get ideal performance, there should be less running?

I use this computer for editing and would like to know how much more performance I can get out of it that might be held back by the unnecessary processes.


Thanks.

Seems a little high TBH.

I usually disable unnecessary services every time I do a fresh install of any Windows version (Black Viper's Web Site has one of the better guides for this on his site, so check him out).

Here's my Task Manager with Steam, ~3 tabs of Google Chrome, Digsby, avast! Free Antivirus, PC Tools Firewall Plus, D3D Overrider & Team Speak 3 all running.

 

[marsmimar]

I concur with SlackerITGuy. The number of processes on any given machine really depends on what programs are installed and what is configured to run at start up. While task manager gives a basic overview of the processes that are running, a free utility called Process Explorer from Microsoft will give a lot more info. You can either install it on your machine or run it in your browser (right column, "Run Process Explorer now".

Process Explorer

 

[Zepher]

I've got 128 processes running.

 

[deathwinger]

Lol I just looked at my processes and I now have 128 running.

The cpu usage hovers around 3-5% and the memory usage is 35%.

However, after rendering a huge file in Premiere Pro/Media Encoder, I feel like the computer takes quite a while to 'recover', in terms of the memory is at 90% used up to ten minutes after the render is complete.

I was wondering if the processes amount would have had anything to do with that.

 

[pparks1]

With regards to the number of processes running...while some people prefer to shut off what they deem "unnecessary" services...what may not be realized is that 1 or 2 running processes could improve performance. For example, I have an SSD drive for my OS and people always say "disable superfetch, it isn't needed". Well, my computer is simply faster with superfetch enabled.

On my work computer, with a few of my daily apps open, I'm sitting at 65 processes. So, a reasonably light load. That's running Trend AV, outlook, an instant messenger, our checkpoint security suite, some remote desktop connections, etc.

 

[deathwinger]

I've got 128 processes running.

Hey, I'd like to get a Hi rez shot of your workspace there. I'd like to see your workflow with three screens.

What graphics card you got there powering all that and what are the connections?

 

[Zepher]

I've got 128 processes running.

Hey, I'd like to get a Hi rez shot of your workspace there. I'd like to see your workflow with three screens.

What graphics card you got there powering all that and what are the connections?

In the pic below I was running a GTX285 and a 9600GT, all DVI. I don't do too much editing on this machine so I sold the 285 to a friend who is shooting a documentary using a Canon 7D, and the 285 helps out a lot with his workflow using the Mercury Playback Engine.
I went with an HD5850 so I could do Eyefinty and use 1 card for the 3 screens. 2 DVI and 1 Display Port to VGA adapter.

 

[Maxxwire]

Years ago when I was trying to tame Vista's 137 services I discovered some excellent step by step advise on how to safely do so at the BlackViper website. Originally my Win 7 x64 computer was running about 56 services some of which were for printers, fax machines, wireless internet access and other services which I have no use for so I disabled them knowing that if I should need any of them in the future I can always start them again with the click of a mouse. Since thinning out about 20 unneeded services in Win 7 it now has between 35 and 38 services running after its 21 second boot to the desktop according to the Windows uptime clock.

~Maxx~
.

 

[zigzag3143]

Lol I just looked at my processes and I now have 128 running.

The cpu usage hovers around 3-5% and the memory usage is 35%.

However, after rendering a huge file in Premiere Pro/Media Encoder, I feel like the computer takes quite a while to 'recover', in terms of the memory is at 90% used up to ten minutes after the render is complete.

I was wondering if the processes amount would have had anything to do with that.

A huge render can take a long time to recover but two factors are unknown. First how much RAM do you have. Second 128, is a lot. Normal on my 64 bit is abt 65, and abt 50 on 32bit. there are sites (blackviper.com) that discuss what processes do and which can be stopped BUT

MAKE A BACK UP FIRST FOR YOU WONT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE CHANGED.

Good luck

Ken

 

[Maxxwire]

MAKE A BACK UP FIRST FOR YOU WONT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE CHANGED.

Ken

+1

~Maxx~
.

 

[zigzag3143]

MAKE A BACK UP FIRST FOR YOU WONT REMEMBER WHAT YOU HAVE CHANGED.

Ken

+1

~Maxx~
.

I have done that far to many times myself.

Ken J

 

[edilee012]

55 here with tons of things installed. Be mindful when you install any program and it places itself in the auto start up menu....if you don't you will have an excessive amount of things running that do not need to be. You can see what is set to run on start up by opening Run type "msconfig" and go to the startup tab and see what can be shut off.

When I do PC repairs or diagnostics this is the first thing I look at because they always have too many things running that don't need to be and not enough computer to run that many items.

 

[Maxxwire]

edilee012- Good point! If I had a dollar for every unnecessary program that I have found on the start list of someone's computer that they had no idea was there I could get a speedy new SSD drive!

~Maxx~
.

 

[Wishmaster]

Amount of processes running generally doesnt hinder performance at all with modern systems.

The big thing is un-needed start up items.
Things such as Messengers and the like. Theres simply no point them running at start up.
Preventing certain things from starting when Windows does is a good idea IMHO.


As far as services are concerned, I do not believe disabling them helps anything. in fact, more often than not it hurts performance by disabling them.

I know many will disagree, but quite simply:
If you are at the point you must disable services (essentiall breaking how Win7 is designed to work) and prevent Windows from actually using RAM ...

Well, you may need to consider upgrading some hardware.

Seven doesn't need to have many of its core components disabled to run smoothly.

 

[edilee012]

Amount of processes running generally doesnt hinder performance at all with modern systems.

The big thing is un-needed start up items.
Things such as Messengers and the like. Theres simply no point them running at start up.
Preventing certain things from starting when Windows does is a good idea IMHO.


As far as services are concerned, I do not believe disabling them helps anything. in fact, more often than not it hurts performance by disabling them.

I know many will disagree, but quite simply:
If you are at the point you must disable services (essentiall breaking how Win7 is designed to work) and prevent Windows from actually using RAM ...

Well, you may need to consider upgrading some hardware.

Seven doesn't need to have many of its core components disabled to run smoothly.

Yep this also! I definately wouldn't disable any services just get those start up items trimmed down and like he said...if you have a modern machine with at least a dual core CPU and above 3 gigs of ram then you shouldn't have any problems.

An example of how clean I keep my things: in my task bar area by the clock I have the speaker(sound) icon, the internet connection icon, my AV software icon, and the action center icon and that is it. I disable all auto start options in any program right away and if I do have one I want down there I will leave it active. Those icons there are programs that are using a small amount of resources waiting for you to open them up and by them "idling" down there the program opens faster. This is really not needed for any program you don't use more than 5 or so times a day.

 

[Maxxwire]

Could someone please explain to me why I should not disable these services which I will never use including

fax service
media center extender service
parental controls remote desktop service
remote registry service
routing and remote access service
smart card service
tablet pc input service

These are just a handful of the dozens of services that I do not use, will never use and which have no dependent services which I will ever use?

~Maxx~
.

 

[Layback Bear]

First of all you can disable any thing you want to its your computer. IMHO you won't see any difference in speed. Programs that start at boot will give you more results. I do have some things turned off for security reasons like remote access
42 processes running now.

 

[pparks1]

Here is the ideal list right from my computer. I'm not likely to trade with anybody and have it fit me better.