Controversial tweak - custom value for Win32PrioritySeparation registry entry. - carcass93

Computer Audio Asylum

Music servers and other computer based digital audio technologies.

Controversial tweak - custom value for Win32PrioritySeparation registry entry.

In Reply to: cPlay - the open source high-end audio player using ASIO posted by cics on May 5, 2008 at 12:31:58:

HKLM\SYSTEM \CurrentControlSet\ Control\ PriorityControl\ Win32PrioritySeparation
This registry value is controlled by switching between "Programs" and "Background Services" in Control Panel--> System--> Advanced--> Performance Settings--> Advanced (see cics' document on building computer transport). In nutshell, it deals with foreground (F) vs. background (B) processes priority, i.e. length of time allocated to either, and ratio (1:1 ... 6:1).
The little twist is that System setting switches between 2 values only - but in fact there are 7 values that correspond to unique combinations. For details, see reference #2 below. We're interested only in those that give both F and B the same priority - 6:6, 18:18, 36:36 (the registry key value for the latter is 0x18, and is the setting that's toggled when you choose "Background Services").
In my system, 18:18 (i.e. registry value of 0x28) gave airier, noticeably more 3D presentation, at some expense of bass warmth - it sounds drier and less in "quantity". Setting 6:6 (0x24) was clearly inferior.
After careful listening, I decided to keep the tweak (value 0x28). Give it a try - you just may like it. There's no need to reboot, this setting takes effect immediately.

References:
1. http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks7.htm
2. http://blogs.msdn.com/embedded/archive/2006/03/04/543141.aspx
3. http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windows2000serv/reskit/regentry/29623.mspx?mfr=true

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