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    Steam or Direct2Drive

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by markheus, Aug 23, 2007.

  1. markheus

    markheus Notebook Consultant

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    I've been rreading a lot about the various game download services and it seems like a prtty nifty idea. I just had a few questions though....

    1.) which company is better? are there any major differences in the way they function?

    2.)What kind of bandwidth is required to play the game once it has been downloaded? I a lot of times I'm using a hotel's wireless and it can be very slow.

    3.) Do I need to have extra software running in the background?
     
    markheus, Aug 23, 2007
    #1
  2. tangent

    tangent Notebook Evangelist

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    steam just needs to get online every once in a while to be able play the games. you dont always have to be online, but sometimes it doesn't work until you get online. so it only takes a second to start playing if you have already downloaded the game. i have never tried Direct to Drive. You need steam running in the background to be able to play the steam games.
     
    tangent, Aug 23, 2007
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  3. markheus

    markheus Notebook Consultant

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    I just installed the client for stream. It installs but then it hands at the "Stream Update News" screen. I'll play around with it and see if I can't get it to install.

    I also ready in the FAQ that there is an offline mode.

    These seems line a great idea since I don't have to carry CDs with me.

    Edit: Fixed

    Steam Problem: Steam uses 50% of the CPU time on Dual Core systems

    Question
    Steam is using 50% of the CPU time on my dual core system - what can I do to reduce the resources Steam is using?


    Answer
    Please follow the instructions below to set Steam to free up resources by using only one processor:

    Launch the Steam client
    Press CTRL + ALT + DEL to open the Task Manager
    Right-click on Steam.exe in the Processes tab
    Select Set Affinity
    De-select one of the processors - i.e. Uncheck CPU1, leaving only CPU0 checked
    Apply the setting and check the CPU Usage under the Performance tab to confirm the issue has been corrected
     
    markheus, Aug 23, 2007
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