Maximizer vs Minimized... and CPU usage

My Question: When running 4-5 copies of wow on one system, does minimizing cut down on CPU usage?

PS: I'd love to just try it and see, but between work and my sister-in-law's wedding it will be at least sunday before i can test.

More detail for anyone that wants it:

Video: Nvidia GeForce7900 gs 256mb
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3800+ (2.39GHz, 2GB ram) - Will upgrade to dual-core on christmass
Display: Dell 24' Widescreen at 1920x1200

I run 4 accounts, using Maximizer I get one with 1920x600 resolution on the top half of my screen, and 3 running at 640x600 on the bottom half of the screen.

My processor hits 95% - 100% with 2 copies of wow running. Clearly my processor is the biggest bottleneck.

I get ~25fps on my main, and ~10fps on my clones. (sound off on clones, and graphics all the way down on all except for the mains distance viewing)

I find this acceptable (I'm doing PVE), but worse would be bad...

Today my wife surprised me with a 5th copy of wow (how I ended up with a wife that not only puts up with me, but actually picks up another copy of wow for me, without me even mentioning it I'll never know [my second account was her account, she rarely plays anymore, but does have a 70 warrior])

I really want to start a full 5 man group (thinking 1xpally, 4xpriest) but I'm already killing my computer...

Would running all except the main minimized help cup CPU usage? I really would rather not bring another computer into the picture, but will if I don't have any other choice.

Upgrading may be your only choice.

A single core A64 isn't a great chip for running multiple coopies of WoW on.

I'd recommend upgrading to a Quad-core processor. You should also be aiming for around 3-4 gigs of RAM and a decent Graphics card.

I am running 3x WOW also on a 24" 1920x1200 with ~60fps on active and ~15 fps on inactive

with the following hardware

AMD X2 4600+ (2.3Ghz clock)
2Gb Ram
ATI Radeon X1950XT 512mb (also have an HD2400Pro but that is for another 2 monitors)


I run Keyclone and Maximiser (will drop Maximiser once Keyclones builtin is more configurable)

my wow instances run 1920x700, 960x500 and 960x500

I have edited the config.wtf files for each wow instance and set the resolution to that which is displayed... this not only ensures that there is no distortion but reduces the workload on maximiser translating between resolutions.

once keyclone has improved maximiser functionality it will be possible to use the builtin FPS throttle and focus on mouseover

I got up early to try it out....

Running 2 (main at 1920x600 and clone(s) at 640x600) leaves my processor at 100%...

So I loaded up the other 3, and as expected was running at ~7 fps.

Then I minimized the 4 clones....

My CPU dropped down to ~90%, and I jumped up to ~40fps
I resized the main to 1920x1000, and played for a bit...

Minimizing made a HUGE difference...

Going to be a bit of a pain to do it that way, but what a difference!

do you have a second monitor attached to the system?

what OS are you running?

minimizing would have pretty close to the same effect as dropping the maxfpsbk to 1.

i normally leave mine around 15. maxfps to 40.

this gives the cpu and gpu a better chance of performing for the active clone

Minimising is a rather bad solution one very vital reason:

Lack of overview of your alts. Sure, you still have your main's UI, but it falls short in suprisingly many situations. You'll never be 100 % in control of your team.

If you have the cash, I do suggest, like Wilbur, that you get your hands a Quad-core or a strong dual core (make sure your wife gets you a good one for christmas :P). 5 clients is a pice of cake for my Q6600.

Also, you miiight wanna invest in another gig of memory, especially if you're running five accounts, but I'd recommend checking how you'll do with the dual/quad core first.

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Also, you miiight wanna invest in another gig of memory, especially if you're running five accounts, but I'd recommend checking how you'll do with the dual/quad core first.

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I've heard this mentioned several times, but 5 copies of wow with low graphics settings are only using a little more than 1.5g of ram... My ram is not paging, so unless I'm missing something adding more ram shouldn't make a diffrence

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Minimising is a rather bad solution one very vital reason:

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Yeah, very good point. :) Thankfully I have the new CPU coming in less than a month. :)

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minimizing would have pretty close to the same effect as dropping the maxfpsbk to 1

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I'll try that, thanks.. would at least be better than not seeing the other 4 at all.

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do you have a second monitor attached to the system?

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No, it's currently in use on another system... It will be free soon. I don't think I'll bother with it before getting my new CPU. I'm making a new group for this anyway... Pally + 4 Priests sounds like a lot of fun to me.

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what OS are you running?

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Windows server 2003 Wed Edition.

ran up to 4 boxes on a a64 3400+, they all had 25% of the screen and all ran at 25fps at least. Settings to lowest, sound turned off. Hoping to find out shortly what my c2d 6300 will do with at least 2 maybe 3 copies.

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Originally Posted by keyclone

minimizing would have pretty close to the same effect as dropping the maxfpsbk to 1.

i normally leave mine around 15. maxfps to 40.

this gives the cpu and gpu a better chance of performing for the active clone

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Tried as you suggested (ended up with 20max and 2min for now) thanks :)

I'm much happier with this setup, till I upgrade my CPU.

Thanks all...