Dual Core Processors....

[Corasik]

Just make sure that windows correctly detected the second core. Its normally automatic, and it will update the HAL from ACPI Uniprocessor, to ACPI Multiprocessor. But sometimes, it throws a microsoft, and forgets to do it.

You'll know this as soon as you open task manager, it will have 2 graphs, 1 for each core.

If you only have 1 graph, you'll have to update the HAL, which is under Computer in device manager.

 

[PinkFloyd]

Haven't had any problems with the NVidia firewall here.
Also the X2 driver helped me a lot.

 

[xirokx]

i didnt install the nvidia firewall....should I? what are the pro's / con's??

i have installed the amd dual core driver....

when i go to task manager the cpu history usage page is spilt....just want to confirm everything is OK?

is this right?

thanks

 

[PinkFloyd]

i didnt install the nvidia firewall....should I? what are the pro's / con's??

i have installed the amd dual core driver....

when i go to task manager the cpu history usage page is spilt....just want to confirm everything is OK?

is this right?

thanks

Sounds good to me

as for pros and cons of the NVidia Firewall (some people will disagree, but this is just in my experience)

- simple to use
- good range of options (from complete internet lockdown - anti hacking mode)
- hardware based so its not yet another piece of software to sow your rig down

 

[Defcon5]

- simple to use
- good range of options (from complete internet lockdown - anti hacking mode)
- hardware based so its not yet another piece of software to sow your rig down

Agreed, especially the last point if you dont have dual core

 

[BigDom]

Sounds good to me

as for pros and cons of the NVidia Firewall (some people will disagree, but this is just in my experience)

- simple to use
- good range of options (from complete internet lockdown - anti hacking mode)
- hardware based so its not yet another piece of software to sow your rig down

cons - can be an utter pain in the rear. Worst being you can't turn it off without first installing the software (which means if you don't install the software you can have it running and hit problems connecting to games etc.).

 

[Arthalen]

I've avoided using the NVfirewall due to the fact its a web based admin, which basically runs apache webserver for an interface - yuck.

Why have a web server to run an interface that you'll probably utilise less than 1% of your total 'On PC' time ?

 

[PinkFloyd]

cons - can be an utter pain in the rear. Worst being you can't turn it off without first installing the software (which means if you don't install the software you can have it running and hit problems connecting to games etc.).

Right click on the NVidia firewall icon in the quickstart toolbar and Set the security profile to off.

 

[BigDom]

Right click on the NVidia firewall icon in the quickstart toolbar and Set the security profile to off.

After you've installed the software.. you cannot turn it off unless you have the software installed (in other words there should be a BIOS option).

 

[Dureth]

How about the fact that if your running a router for your broadband its damn pointless to have another firewall on your PC itself? Your router will ALWAYS do a better job than the nvfirewall or a software one.

 

[BigDom]

How about the fact that if your running a router for your broadband its damn pointless to have another firewall on your PC itself? Your router will ALWAYS do a better job than the nvfirewall or a software one.

Wouldn't say allways.. a Linux Based standalone firewall such as I use is probably just as good.

 

[NathanE]

Sounds good to me

as for pros and cons of the NVidia Firewall (some people will disagree, but this is just in my experience)

- simple to use
- good range of options (from complete internet lockdown - anti hacking mode)
- hardware based so its not yet another piece of software to sow your rig down

It's not hardware based at all. It just uses some task offloading features if the network hardware supports it (and obviously the Nvidia chipset does). Loads of other firewalls use task offloading capabilities if your NIC hardware supports it. It's all very much standardised and isn't anything to get too excited about.

I can remember when Nvidia bought their firewall software off some other company. About a month later it was rebranded and repackaged as their own. So clearly, all is not what it seems with this particular firewall.

Wouldn't say allways.. a Linux Based standalone firewall such as I use is probably just as good.

What the hell does the OS have to do with anything? A firewall is a firewall. Software-based firewalls have their place but mostly it is with inexperienced users that have no appreciation for even the most basic level of security. The type of users that open executable attachments on e-mails from unknown sources... Obviously users that can restrain themselves from clicking "avril_lavigne_naked.exe" don't need a software-based firewall and a NAT router provides easily sufficient protection.