[jbobonline]

I have held off on upgrading to SP3 because I FINALLY have SP2 running
the way I like. I am a bit of an uber-tweaker obsessed with not having
unnecessary services or apps running (I use Process Explorer, a startup
control app and Winpatrol to have every superfluous service/app
disabled to maximize RAM and CPU usage).
Has anyone who is also
concerned about these issues upgraded to SP3 and did it help or hurt
RAM/CPU usage, were there any new/superfluous services installed that
suck resources?
Thanks!

[lilxkid24]

I upgrade to SP3 like when it first came out and i had no problem with it at all. Upgrading to sp3 should be safe now since its been out for so long. It didn't kill my cpu or memory usage at all. I didn't see any resource hog after i installed it so i say no.

[SpiritWind]

Hi :



Several PRECAUTIONS should be done PRIOR to upGRADING ( from SP2 to SP3, for

example ) an Operating System. which I feel should include the following :

1) Get the latest RELIABLE Info on possible problems; I trust the FREE "Windows Secrets"

& "Don't let XP3 hose your system" from http://WindowsSecrets.com/080911 is very good .

2) Make reasonable sure the computer is Malware-free ; practically speaking, nowadays

that means running the "Full Scan" of the FREE Ver of "SUPERAntiSpyware" from

www.superantispyware.com/ AND the "Free" Version of "Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

from [http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php] .

3) Get the latest PC Manufacturer "Driver" updates , IF there are any .

4) Make a "System Restore" Point, to go back to, IF the Installation is NOT successful .

Refer to the excellent Guide at [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial56.html]

[Knifeblade]

My initial difficulties were minor, it wouldn't play too nice with ZoneAlarm or Gmail at first, but those bugs were fixed. I never noticed any hassle re RAM other resources being overused, and really don't see much difference between 2 and 3 now, but like you, I waited a while for the beta 3 to iron out before I grabbed it.

[Daviximius]

I have been using it for awhile. No problem at all for me.

If I remember correctly that SP3 actually improve bootup time and system performance.

[number6]

My experiance has been the same as [~69079]'s exept that I've done it on four or five different systems. There were no problems, but I agree with [~9738] about taking precautions.

[crazy4laptops]

Here's my experience with sp3-

It will do these changes to your computer without your consent-

Will change the cursor back to default

Will undo a fix with the background intelligent transfer service. (want more info?)

Will re-enable the default sounds

Will nuke any custom theme you had set up

[jbobonline]

folks - is crazy4laptop's experience an anomaly?

[techie4fun]

Upgrading to SP3 achieves no benefit, at least from my perspective.


If you don't need an upgrade, don't upgrade. If it aint broke, don't fix it. You could send your stable running PC into a series of blue screen of deaths after the SP3 install.