I was reading these tips on the Sweetwater Optimizations page and just can't figure if this is right or wrong. This seems wrong to me, but I am not a computer guy. Any comments are appreciated.
 
Adjust Processor Scheduling
Adjusting the processor scheduling will allow your computer to run your DAW more efficiently. To learn how, follow the steps below:

1. Open Control Panel
2. Click on System
3. Select Advanced System Settings
4. Click the Advanced Tab
5. Under Performance, click the Settings button
6. When the Performance Options window pops up, click the Advanced tab
7. Under Processor Scheduling, select Background Services
8. Click Apply, then OK
9. Click OK to close System Properties
10. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect

Here is the link to their page and suggestions.
http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/pc-optimization-guide-for-windows-8/
 
 
Thanks
Michael

Hi Michael in a Noel old post he declared that the optimization was asio related,but with Sonar was better on programs.
best

Hi,
Sorry to talk without any solid knowledge,but my intuition is that if the hardware is the weak point ( I mean the soundcard) maybe checking background devices is ok but if the limit is defined by software issues then programs should be a better choice.
Once again nothing solid in this comment.

I have used both settings.  Sonar performs much better overall with Programs selected rather Background.
 
For me/my system.
 
 

Michael, Don't know about that specific optimization, but, I use a Sweetwater Creation Station about 6 years now.
They optimized it when built, and I have not had one hardware/OS issue with Sonar 8.5,X1,X2,X3, or Plat!
Says something for their builds and/or optimizations.

I doubt much has changed since http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/1239881 and the follow up post http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/1524237

Thanks to all of you for your answers and to Steve for the links.
That was more than enough confirmation of my suspicion.
 
Michael

Hmm, just stumbled on this post.
 
Those optimizations given in the article basically target CPU-hogging 'eye candy' features and useless background processes - all good, common sense. There are many more optimizations that can be done that are a bit more technical and involve tradeoffs; but they are possible, it's a matter of preferences.

Got any links to more, SuperG? I've  spent my life playing, teaching and recording music, since '63 and got my first computer in 2001. My first 10 years of computers was 95% Sonar and I am still trying to catch up on the PC and online aspects! This forum and DigiFreq have provided most of what I have learned about them. So..
Thanks to all.
Michael

pentimentosound
Got any links to more, SuperG? I've  spent my life playing, teaching and recording music, since '63 and got my first computer in 2001. My first 10 years of computers was 95% Sonar and I am still trying to catch up on the PC and online aspects! This forum and DigiFreq have provided most of what I have learned about them. So..
Thanks to all.
Michael

 
Nothing specific, there are so many places to get good information.
 
Microsoft,  tenforums ...
 
Google search: Optimize Windows Performance
 
Although I've been computing since, well, before PC's  existed, I did play instruments as a kid. Accordion and Trumpet. I haven't played them in decades so they are lost skills - but I can still (somewhat) read music and love tooling around in Sonar with midi. I've just recently decided to try guitar - now if I can only get my fingers to span four frets without straining.