What is game booster ?

4

4ndylloyd

Active member
Hi all,

I have read some threads about performance that mention 'Game Booster'. I have just downloaded version 2 and was wondering if any users could share any experience that they have of this software before I install it. Once installed will it just optimise my system or do I need to run it before I start Trainz?

Thanks Andy:)
 
It is a very good program. I use it myself, for personnel use, as well as suggest it professionally when I am at work to help speed up old computers when customers come in complaining the system is slow but don't want to spring for a new system.

Install the program.
Then launch it(duh! lol)
Then you will see a slider saying slide to boost.
What it does is temporarily end windows components that aren't needed for it to run... I.E. Windows updates, as well as print spooler among others.

Then once your done simply open the program again and slide it back to normal mode.(Note: The program cannot be closed until you slide back to normal mode.)
Make sure you go back to normal mode if you want to print something other wise you will not be able to because print spooler is what is used to communicate with your printer.
 
The theory was you turn off unwanted background tasks to free up memory. So for TRS2004 and not much memory on an XP single core machine it helped.

Once you took the hardware memory upto 2.5 gigs my experience was it slowed the frame rate down.

If you are running 64 bit Win7 with 4 or more gigs of memory on a quad I don't think it will help very much and may hinder. Knowing exactly what the performance implications are for messing around with the operating system especially with windows update changing things around would be difficult.

Cheerio John
 
I also use Game Booster, but watch out when you do use it as part of it's job is to stop some of the Windows services and sometimes programs that are already running in the system tray. Also, be aware that the program should not be closed whilst in Boost mode.

Shane
 
shaneturner12 said:
I also use Game Booster, but watch out when you do use it as part of it's job is to stop some of the Windows services and sometimes programs that are already running in the system tray. Also, be aware that the program should not be closed whilst in Boost mode.

Shane
Click to expand...

Shane,

Your system specs are similar to mine, have you noticed much of an improvement ? I would be interested to know what sort of frame rates you get with Hawes jnuction (any session you like) running in cab mode ? I can compare this against my own fps for the same route both with and without Game Booster

Thanks, Andy
 
.....also thanks Gandalf and John for the information and advice. I will consider whether or not to use Game Booster based on Shane's experience

Andy
 
I will have a look on Hawes Junction later on, but on my own route the fps is between 4 and 5 (compatibility mode)

Game booster increases the stability of my TS2009 though.

Seems to work best if you tick all the boxes on each screen that it will let you tick.

I've also noticed it gives you the option of updating drivers and installing certain game software.

Shane

NOTE: You will need to run it and tell it to boost before starting Trainz, as it does not do it automatically. Same for returning to normal mode. Also, you will not be able to exit it until it is back in normal mode.
 
Last edited:
Results are back from my Hawes Junction - Garsdale Passive test (Native mode, OpenGL mode)

The difference between the two vary between negligible to a fair bit (average with Game Booster seemed to be a bit higher than the average without)

Shane
 
adadadl said:
.....also thanks Gandalf and John for the information and advice. I will consider whether or not to use Game Booster based on Shane's experience

Andy
Click to expand...
Sorry but Shane's advice isn't exactly how the program works, Game Booster cannot be closed until you go back and switch back to normal mode.(Unless of course you end the process in task manager) But then all is needed is a restart of the computer to return to normal.
As far as closing programs already in the system tray, yes it can, but it is clearly labeled in Game Booster what what is so you kinda easily guess what should and should not be stopped.
 
Okay, thanks guys. I did some testing with Game Booster v2 which allows you to drag the icon for trainz into a box above the systray and when you launch Trainz Game Booster does it's magic automatically. Sadly though I didn't see much benefit from it. I ran he Garsdale passive session and got FPS of mid 20's to early 60's in native mode running OpenGL and anti-alaising on 4. Game booster did not make any significant difference.

My system does not like running with anti-alaising and produces a slightly choppy display. Switching it off means I have to run in compatibility mode for the routes to look anything decent and my frame rates drop by about 20% but on the Garsdale session were about 19 fps to 45 fps which I can happily live with because they apepar to run much smoother. Game booster made a slight difference to fps but it wasn't noticeable to the eye so I will probably manage without it.

Thanks for all the information and advice

Andy :)
 
adadadl said:
Okay, thanks guys. I did some testing with Game Booster v2 which allows you to drag the icon for trainz into a box above the systray and when you launch Trainz Game Booster does it's magic automatically. Sadly though I didn't see much benefit from it. I ran he Garsdale passive session and got FPS of mid 20's to early 60's in native mode running OpenGL and anti-alaising on 4. Game booster did not make any significant difference.

My system does not like running with anti-alaising and produces a slightly choppy display. Switching it off means I have to run in compatibility mode for the routes to look anything decent and my frame rates drop by about 20% but on the Garsdale session were about 19 fps to 45 fps which I can happily live with because they apepar to run much smoother. Game booster made a slight difference to fps but it wasn't noticeable to the eye so I will probably manage without it.

Thanks for all the information and advice

Andy :)
Click to expand...
Yea it is really meant for the older computers that need that few extra FPS so your not watching a slow slide show... Such as my dinosaur desktop at 11 years old.:hehe::p
 
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