Best Antivirus for PC While Gaming

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

Hi,

I am curious as to what the community thinks about the best Antivirus software while gaming. Which Antivirus has the least amount of performance knock and best security at the same time.

erixx · Jan 13, 2020

Windows Defender.

cucker tarlson · Jan 13, 2020

Windows Defender.

sepheronx · Jan 13, 2020

Agreed with the other two, windows defender.

Rahnak · Jan 13, 2020

Ditto.

Chomiq · Jan 13, 2020

Defender.

VulkanBros · Jan 13, 2020

Paid :Kaspersky/ESET
Free: Windows Defender will do more then fine
Best: Common sense

moproblems99 · Jan 13, 2020

This is my first run relying on defender. I also have a special pc for doing all my dirty work so anything in question goes there first.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

That's interesting that so many people like Windows defender. Does it really compare to the likes of Bitdefender or Kaspersky????

dirtyferret · Jan 13, 2020

Another vote for Windows Defender

Wolvyreen said:
That's interesting that so many people like Windows defender. Does it really compare to the likes of Bitdefender or Kaspersky????

That depends, do you have an email pen pal correspondence with a Nigerian prince? If not then Windows Defender will get the job done for you.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

dirtyferret said:
Another vote for Windows Defender

That depends, do you have an email pen pal correspondence with a Nigerian prince? If not then Windows Defender will get the job done for you.

Well, from my research, most sites say that Windows defender is good enough if you download the odd file and just surf the net but if you download torrents, access social media sites, accessing banking sites, crypto exchanges etc and do more than just surfing the net, then you should go paid. So these replies are most interesting.

Deleted member 158293 · Jan 13, 2020

Defender

Definitely

Solaris17 · Jan 13, 2020

Wolvyreen said:
Well, from my research, most sites say that Windows defender is good enough if you download the odd file and just surf the net but if you download torrents, access social media sites, accessing banking sites, crypto exchanges etc and do more than just surfing the net, then you should go paid. So these replies are most interesting.

not really the thread is about the best AV for gaming. Granted the odds people run other AVs are low (and should be 0). It stands to reason people who game a lot would want something light weight and defender is as good as some of the lighter ones in this regard.

francisw19 · Jan 13, 2020

I'll echo the Windows Defender recommendations...looks like it's shaping up to be a real game-changer. I'll toss in a vote for ESET, personally. No measurements that I can speak of, but it's often the one that plays the nicest with my system and "feels" the lightest of all that I've used (ESET, Kaspersky, Avast, Norton).

Also AV-comparatives and AV-test do some performance testing FWIW. Might be worth a look

64K · Jan 13, 2020

I game a good bit and I like Windows Defender. Zero issues for 3 years now. Malwarebytes is good to run sometimes but I've not picked up a virus that I know of with Defender yet.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

Solaris17 said:
not really the thread is about the best AV for gaming. Granted the odds people run other AVs are low (and should be 0). It stands to reason people who game a lot would want something light weight and defender is as good as some of the lighter ones in this regard.

That may be true but not everyone only has a gaming machine. Most machines are gaming and work or streaming etc. Which means that it stands to reason that if most people's machines are more than just gaming, surely people would have to have more than just Windows defender so it would be nice to know which AV is used. But the consensus seems to only be Windows defender which is surprising to me.

64K said:
I game a good bit and I like Windows Defender. Zero issues for 3 years now. Malwarebytes is good to run sometimes but I've not picked up a virus that I know of with Defender yet.

Do you use the machine for anything other than gaming?

64K · Jan 13, 2020

Wolvyreen said:
Do you use the machine for anything other than gaming?

No, my desktop is only for gaming. I have a laptop for everything else and it uses Windows Defender as well and no issues there either.

dirtyferret · Jan 13, 2020

I have a gaming PC, laptop and work PC. Windows defender on all three. I previously used Bitdefender free and AVG free on the work PC but frankly o found them more annoying then anything else. The only other program I run is Malwarebytes free.

sam_86314 · Jan 13, 2020

I agree with Windows Defender. Haven't really had any malware issues since I really got into computers six years ago, running Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 with either Defender or MSSE.

My two main PCs, laptop, media server (which runs 24/7, so it's probably the most vulnerable), and HTPC all run Windows 10 with Windows Defender, and none of them have had any issues.

Of course, when I download files, sometimes I check the hash and use a site like VirusTotal just for a second opinion.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

dirtyferret said:
I have a gaming PC, laptop and work PC. Windows defender on all three. I previously used Bitdefender free and AVG free on the work PC but frankly o found them more annoying then anything else. The only other program I run is Malwarebytes free.

Doing some more research in to Windows defender, a lot of sites say that you should run an anti-malware together with Windows defender. But paid AV's like Bitdefender and Kaspersky have this built in to them.

It's this correct??

erocker · Jan 13, 2020

Where's the "none" option? Sure a gaming PC can get compromised, but so what? It's a gaming PC.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

erocker said:
Where's the "none" option? Sure a gaming PC can get compromised, but so what? It's a gaming PC.

Some people use their machines for more than just gaming. Those that can't afford multiple machines

erocker · Jan 13, 2020

Wolvyreen said:
Some people use their machines for more than just gaming. Those that can't afford multiple machines

Then I don't really see it as a gaming PC if it's a general use PC. Most people have phones nowdays. I get what you're saying though, in which case Windows security whatever should work fine. Most of it comes down to things like responsible web browsing/transactions.

Solaris17 · Jan 13, 2020

Wolvyreen said:
Some people use their machines for more than just gaming. Those that can't afford multiple machines

I’m confused. You made the topic about gaming machines but want further consensus.

Wolvyreen · Jan 13, 2020

Solaris17 said:
I’m confused. You made the topic about gaming machines but want further consensus.

To your credit, It is contradicting. You are correct. I apologise. I should have made it about the best AV while gaming whether it was a gaming machine or a daily driver as well.

To my credit though, I did also say "while gaming" but this is my bad. Sorry

Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 3900X
Motherboard	Gigabyte Aorus Master Rev 1.0
Cooling	NZXT Kraken X72 360MM
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600MHz CL16
Video Card(s)	Galax GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Hall of Fame
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB NVMe M.2
Display(s)	Alienware AW3418DW 34" UltraWide QHD 120Hz IPS 1900R Curved G-Sync Gaming Monitor
Case	Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic XL Black Steel
Audio Device(s)	OnBoard Audio - ESS SABRE HIFI 9118
Power Supply	Corsair RM850i 850W
Mouse	Logitech G502 LightSpeed Wireless Gaming Mouse
Keyboard	Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Cherry MX Brown Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Software	Windows 10 Professional

System Name	Purple rain
Processor	10.5 thousand 4.2G 1.1v
Motherboard	Zee 490 Aorus Elite
Cooling	Noctua D15S
Memory	16GB 4133 CL16-16-16-31 Viper Steel
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio
Storage	SU900 128,8200Pro 1TB,850 Pro 512+256+256,860 Evo 500,XPG950 480, Skyhawk 2TB
Display(s)	Acer XB241YU+Dell S2716DG
Case	P600S Silent w. Alpenfohn wing boost 3 ARGBT+ fans
Audio Device(s)	K612 Pro w. FiiO E10k DAC,W830BT wireless
Power Supply	Superflower Leadex Gold 850W
Mouse	G903 lightspeed+powerplay,G403 wireless + Steelseries DeX + Roccat rest
Keyboard	HyperX Alloy SilverSpeed (w.HyperX wrist rest),Razer Deathstalker
Software	Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	A LOT

System Name	PCGR
Processor	12400f
Motherboard	Asus ROG STRIX B660-I
Cooling	Stock Intel Cooler
Memory	2x16GB DDR5 5600 Corsair
Video Card(s)	Dell RTX 3080
Storage	1x 512GB Mmoment PCIe 3 NVME 1x 2TB Corsair S70
Display(s)	LG 32" 1440p
Case	Phanteks Evolve itx
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	750W Cooler Master sfx
Software	Windows 11

System Name	Blackbox
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
Motherboard	Asus TUF B550-Plus WiFi
Cooling	Scythe Fuma 2
Memory	2x8GB DDR4 G.Skill FlareX 3200Mhz CL16
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 3060 Ti Gaming Z
Storage	Kingston KC3000 1TB + WD SN550 1TB + Samsung 860 QVO 1TB
Display(s)	LG 27GP850-B
Case	Lian Li O11 Air Mini
Audio Device(s)	Logitech Z200
Power Supply	Seasonic Focus+ Gold 750W
Mouse	Logitech G305
Keyboard	MasterKeys Pro S White (MX Brown)
Software	Windows 10
Benchmark Scores	It plays games.

Processor	Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite
Cooling	Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
Memory	2x16 GB Crucial Ballistix 3600 CL16 Rev E @ 3800 CL16
Video Card(s)	RTX3080 Ti FE
Storage	SX8200 Pro 1 TB, Plextor M6Pro 256 GB, WD Blue 2TB
Display(s)	LG 34GN850P-B
Case	SilverStone Primera PM01 RGB
Audio Device(s)	SoundBlaster G6 \| Fidelio X2 \| Sennheiser 6XX
Power Supply	SeaSonic Focus Plus Gold 750W
Mouse	Endgame Gear XM1R
Keyboard	Wooting Two HE

System Name	Commercial towing vehicle "Nostromo"
Processor	5800X3D
Motherboard	X570 Unify
Cooling	EK-AIO 360
Memory	32 GB Fury 3666 MHz
Video Card(s)	4070 Ti Eagle
Storage	SN850 NVMe 1TB + Renegade NVMe 2TB + 870 EVO 4TB
Display(s)	25" Legion Y25g-30
Case	Lian Li LanCool 216 v2
Audio Device(s)	B & W PX7 S2e
Power Supply	HX1500i
Mouse	Harpe Ace Aim Lab Edition
Keyboard	Scope II 96 Wireless
Software	Windows 11 23H2

System Name	Wut?
Processor	3900X
Motherboard	ASRock Taichi X570
Cooling	Water
Memory	32GB GSkill CL16 3600mhz
Video Card(s)	Vega 56
Storage	2 x AData XPG 8200 Pro 1TB
Display(s)	3440 x 1440
Case	Thermaltake Tower 900
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime Ultra Platinum

Processor	faster at instructions than yours
Motherboard	more nurturing than yours
Cooling	frostier than yours
Memory	superior scheduling & haphazardly entry than yours
Video Card(s)	better rasterization than yours
Storage	more ample than yours
Display(s)	increased pixels than yours
Case	fancier than yours
Audio Device(s)	further audible than yours
Power Supply	additional amps x volts than yours
Mouse	without as much gnawing as yours
Keyboard	less clicky than yours
VR HMD	not as odd looking as yours
Software	extra mushier than yours
Benchmark Scores	up yours

System Name	Rocinante
Processor	I9 14900KS
Motherboard	EVGA z690 Dark KINGPIN (modded BIOS)
Cooling	EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB
Memory	64GB Gskill Trident Z5 DDR5 6000 @6400
Video Card(s)	MSI SUPRIM Liquid X 4090
Storage	1x 500GB 980 Pro \| 1x 1TB 980 Pro \| 1x 8TB Corsair MP400
Display(s)	Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC
Case	Lian Li o11 Evo Dynamic White
Audio Device(s)	Moondrop S8's on Schiit Hel 2e
Power Supply	Bequiet! Power Pro 12 1500w
Mouse	Lamzu Atlantis mini (White)
Keyboard	Monsgeek M3 Lavender, Akko Crystal Blues
VR HMD	Quest 3
Software	Windows 11
Benchmark Scores	I dont have time for that.

Processor	AMD Ryzen 9 7900X
Motherboard	MSI MPG X670E Carbon Wifi
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12A (Chromax)
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL32 64 GB
Video Card(s)	MSI Radeon RX 7900 XTX Gaming Trio Classic
Storage	WD Black SN850X 4 TB
Display(s)	Gigabyte M27Q-P
Case	LianLi O11 Air Mini (Black)
Audio Device(s)	Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, Kanto YU6 w/ Kanto Sub8 (Matte Black)
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime GX-850
Mouse	Pulsar X2H eS (Supergrip, Superglide2) w/ Artisan Hien FX (Black, Large, Soft)
Keyboard	Keychron Q2 (Knob, Carbon Black, Gateron Ink V2 Red)
Software	Windows 11 Pro

Processor	i7 7700k
Motherboard	MSI Z270 SLI Plus
Cooling	CM Hyper 212 EVO
Memory	2 x 8 GB Corsair Vengeance
Video Card(s)	MSI RTX 2070 Super
Storage	Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB and WD Black 4TB
Display(s)	Dell 27 inch 1440p 144 Hz
Case	Corsair Obsidian 750D Airflow Edition
Audio Device(s)	Onboard
Power Supply	EVGA SuperNova 850 W Gold
Mouse	Logitech G502
Keyboard	Logitech G105
Software	Windows 10

System Name	Space Heater MKIV
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Motherboard	ASRock B550 Taichi
Cooling	Noctua NH-U14S, 3x Noctua NF-A14s
Memory	2x32GB Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4-3600 C18 1.35V
Video Card(s)	PowerColor RX 6800 XT Red Devil (2150MHz, 240W PL)
Storage	2TB WD SN850X, 4x1TB Crucial MX500 (striped array), LG WH16NS40 BD-RE
Display(s)	Dell S3422DWG (34" 3440x1440 144Hz)
Case	Phanteks Enthoo Pro M
Audio Device(s)	Edifier R1700BT, Samson SR850
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x, CyberPower CST135XLU
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3
Keyboard	Glorious GMMK 2 96%
Software	Windows 10 LTSC 2021, Linux Mint

Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	ASUS TUF x670e
Cooling	EK AIO 360. Phantek T30 fans.
Memory	32GB G.Skill 6000Mhz
Video Card(s)	Asus RTX 4090
Storage	WD m.2
Display(s)	LG C2 Evo OLED 42"
Case	Lian Li PC 011 Dynamic Evo
Audio Device(s)	Topping E70 DAC, SMSL SP200 Headphone Amp.
Power Supply	FSP Hydro Ti PRO 1000W
Mouse	Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Keyboard	Tester84
Software	Windows 11

Best Antivirus for PC While Gaming

Best Antivirus while Gaming

Bitdefender

Kaspersky

Webroot

Norton

McAfee

Panda

Avast

AVG

Zone Alarm

Windows Defender

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