AV that uses the least resources.

Hello,

I just got a new laptop, and need to install Antivirus on it. Which antivirus program would you say is the smallest resource hog? I don't want to compromise on quality by going with a crummy AV program, but out of the main ones (Norton, AVG, NOD32, Kapersky, etc)would you say takes up the smallest amount of system resources? Thanks for the help.

P.S. I think I will be going strictly with AV (and included anti-spyware if thats the only way it comes) as opposed to the full internet security version.

 

Pay: NOD32 beats all competition in power and resources hands down
Free: Avira Antivir beats the others in power and resources with ease

 

Kaspersky is not much of a hog either, judging by what I've heard and experienced. In fact, that was one of the deciding factors for me when I decided to purchase it.

 

Either Kasperky or NOD32.

 

nod32

using less then 3 mb of ram

 

if you're going to pay, kaspersky and nod32 seem to be the favorites. going the free way avira and avast are the favorites. i personally use avast. every once in awhile i do an online scan with another provider and avast has proven to me it's doing it's job well. plus, avast has a scanner which scans stuff real time and it doesn't slow my computer down. i'm happy with it as are most that use it.

 

I've heard that Kapersky is exceptional as far as quality, but I've it plays funny with some Steam games, like TF2 (which happens to be prety much the only game I'll play). Any truth to that?

 

AVG is light on the system and its also free.

 

NOD32 seems to be the general favorite. Any other thought before I order it from Newegg?

Also, anyone know of anywhere I can get it with a 2 or three user license?

 

yes get the home antiviris edition.
dont get the full pack because window firewall is free.

 

Windows Live One Care uses somewhat low resources

 

You might be right but its detection rates are lower then even some freebies.

 

Detection rates as in the detection of viruses?

 

Avast is actually quite heavy on resources. Slows down startup times, and you can feel the slight slowdown when opening up websites or files [or whenever that 'a' orb rotates].

 

that is not correct,
click "show processes from all users",
you should see another process named "ekrn.exe"
ekrn.exe also belongs to ESET AV,
it takes 10-20 MB on my system



ESET is still the best!
~25MB, pretty light!

 

That's it, I'm getting Nod32....

 

ok i see it it says 28mb

 

slowdown where? i boot in less than 40 seconds. my system never hangs. maybe if you have low resources in the first place. last time i checked, i couldn't "feel" anything from my computer except the texture and heat it dissipates. yes, it does use more resources than avira, but not much. i've been virus free since the cold i caught i caught in january. other than that, i think all the antivirus programs mentioned here are adequate. habits, prevention and maintenance are what keeps the predators away.