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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
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VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?

By | August 7, 2008, 8:19am PDT

Summary: The other day when I blogged about Sunbelt Software’s latest VIPRE antivirus solution I took the claims that it doesn’t slow down your PC pretty much at face value. Time to see if there’s any validity to these claims.

Results

Results - System #1

Results - System #2

The results here are quite staggering. While the effect that VIPRE had on system performance was indeed minimal (in the region of 1.5% to 2.0% for the 32-bit system, and around 0.5% for the 64-bit system), Kaspersky AntiVirus 2007 had a much larger effect (in the region of 15% for the 32-bit system, and around 8% for the 64-bit system), while Norton AntiVirus 2008 hit the system even harder (about 19% for the 32-bit system, and 12% for the 64-bit system).

Even without benchmarking the effect that Kaspersky AntiVirus 2007 and Norton AntiVirus 2008 had on the system could be felt while using the system. For applications which are designed to run in the background continuously, that’s unacceptable.

I also tested how long it took each product to scan roughly 4.2GB of files on the 32-bit Vista Home Premium system fitted with 2GB of RAM. Here are the results:

av_shootout_system03_sm.png 

In this test Norton AntiVirus 2008 doesn’t come that far behind VIPRE, but Kaspersky AntiVirus 2007 is left trailing far behind.

The bottom line …

Security software can have a shocking effect on performance, and can take a new system and make it feel like one that’s a few years old. I’m pleased to see that Sunbelt Software’s claim that VIPRE doesn’t hog system resources and doesn’t slow down a PC isn’t just marketing hyperbole but is actually true. I hope that this move encourages other security software vendors to take a look at how well (or badly) their products affect system performance and take steps to reduce the effect that the software has on the user experience.

Attention Second Lifers: If you’re an inhabitant of Second Life you can enter yourself into a daily draw to win a copy of VIPRE by going to the Sunbelt Software island and clicking on the appropriate displays situated around the main building (if you’re into Second Life this should make sense to you, if not, it won’t make a shred of sense!).

Thoughts?

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32-bit, 32-bit system, performance, pc, norton co., antivirus, symantec norton antivirus, ram, 64-bit, viruses and worms, security, processors, semiconductors, hardware, components, adrian kingsley-hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

Disclosure

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
Laurentian Enterprises 31st Oct
@zeterian33@...
Eset Nod32 came in lower than Vipre in VB100 comparatives. Of course both did poorly compared to many other products.
View in thread
0 Votes
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How about the corporate version
cornpie 7th Aug 2008
I've been using Symantec Anti-Virus corporate for years and subjectively it seems a lot less "in your face" i.e. much less of an impact compared to its consumer cousin Norton Anti-Virus. I actually steer well clear of the consumer products.
0 Votes
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it has the same engine
qmlscycrajg Updated - 7th Aug 2008
it has the same engine, so it has the same performances.
0 Votes
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I disagree
Stuka 7th Aug 2008
There is a huge performance difference between Norton Corporate and Consumer verion. The consumer version will slow down even the fastest machine. The corporate version runs without much issue even on oldish machines.
0 Votes
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Corporate is significantly different (better)
IMGoldfinger 8th Aug 2008
While I don't have any figures on corporate speed, I can tell you that corporate and consumer are completely seperate in almost every way. I'm very happy with Symantec corporate and assumed this would translate to the consumer market. I even made the mistake of recommending Norton's consumer products to home users and those who controlled their own laptop security. I was appaled to find that Norton Internet Security doesn't even recognize Symantec Corporate as antivirus! The corporate version is far better in every way.
0 Votes
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I agree, but...
Tony Paletti 8th Aug 2008
you apparently haven't used Symantec Endpoint Protection 11. Corporate was good, I used it for years. SEP11 is the reason why I recently replaced Corporate Ed. with NOD32 Antivirus Business Ed. for some of our clients when their subscriptions came up for renewal.
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And SEP 11
gel@... 11th Aug 2008
Is lighter than corporate edition and you should compare VIPRE with it ,not with Norton 2008
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
tperkins@... 7th Aug 2008
Interesting, and timely. I am testing Vipre right now on one of my laptops. But given that Vipre is internet security suite and not just antivirus, would not it be more of a comparison to benchmark it against Kaspersky Internet Security (KIS) and the corresponding Symantec product. I don't know how much of a performance hit a systems takes by running the more comprehensive suite, and I would think the numbers would show an even higher difference.
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Contributr
Well ...
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes 7th Aug 2008
... I didn't because VIPRE doesn't have a firewall or anti-spam, so the comparison wouldn't really be valid.
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Firewall & Antispam
ianarmstrong 7th Aug 2008
Use onlymyemail.com for anti-spam. It's a beautiful system... but use MX integration. There you have it, zero overhead comprehensive spam filtering on the server-end.

As for Firewall, Sunbelt makes a really nice one that is also super-low impact. Great interface, loads of control.

I only wish they made a version of their firewall product for servers!
0 Votes
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Why not use Agnitum Security Suite Pro?
kimo99@... 8th Aug 2008
I ditched Norton and MCaffee 10 yrs ago. Hogs!
Used to use AVG until 8.0 came out. Now I use nothing but Agnitum's Security Suite Pro for firewall, anti-spam, anti-ads, virus and scumware protection. Two things are best of all:
Top ratings in anti-leak firewall and all of the rest as listed; and best performance in daily updating. Where can you get better protection... it only takes a maximum of 2 minutes to download (on dialup) all virus and scumware signatures. Granted that its a paid program but for peace of mind there is nothing better! Try it... you'll never go back to Norton's anything.
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Adrian:
laura.b 7th Aug 2008
How about some free stuff like AVG?

I have a reason for asking:
My husband's machine is a real piece of crap, and is slower than mollasses in January. The last thing he needs is another performance hit. Then I find out last week that he hasn't used security software in YEARS (on Windows, mind you). I nearly sh*t and fell over. Sure enough, I get on his machine, and it's like the machine has morphed into one big virus.


So, I'm going to work on it this weekend, but the reason that he hasn't used any AV software is precisely because it slows him down (I suppose it never dawned on him that all that malware and spyware he's allowing on his machine is doing that and worse...). I'd much rather get something free if possible, but if it's the same, worse, or only marginally better than Norton, I'd rather spend the $30 to keep him using it.
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I second that
Jaips 7th Aug 2008
yea i would love to see AVG added to the comparison

Also NOD32 could be an interesting comparison as well; small and fast is one of their marketing angles (and the reason i bought their product) "lightweight design; Requires less memory and CPU power, allowing your computer to run fast, making more room for games, web browsing, and emailing" - from the website: http://www.eset.com/products/nod32.php
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Avast!
slimmac1 8th Aug 2008
I gave Vipre a trial run and ended up not keeping it (for more reasons than I care to list).

I went back to Avast! Home Edition and am very pleased.

I used to use AVG, but I found Avast! H/E to be a superior product. It's also free.

So, Adrian, if you do decide to benchmark the free stuff, please include Avast! H/E. happy
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Second avast!
Sandeep108 8th Aug 2008
AVG 7.5 was good. Small free AV, including e-mail. With v8, it has become terribly slow, worse than NAV, McAfee, etc. Switched to avast! and could not be happier.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
Laurentian Enterprises 31st Oct
@slimmac1
Check VB100. You will find Avast isn't a great solution. Avira free did far better.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
srwhite 7th Aug 2008
I would like to see tests down for more such products. I would suggest McAfee, NOD32, TrendMicro, AVG, BitDefender etc.

Simon
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
alexeck_z 7th Aug 2008
Admittedly, these are from the vendor but have more tests:

http://www.vipreenterprise.com/Why-VIPRE-Enterprise/vipre-stats.htm
0 Votes
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NT
Jaips Updated - 7th Aug 2008
blank
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
TigerhawkVok 7th Aug 2008
Hm, what about Nod32? I've been thinking about switching AV vendors when mine expires, and I've heard NOD32 has pretty good performance ...
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
daboogiemansass 7th Aug 2008
Use AVIRA.

It doesn't make any noticeable difference in performance.

btw, RE: norton. People still use that crap?
0 Votes
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My iMac does not run slower
davebarnes 7th Aug 2008
My Windows XP under Fusion does not run slower as I do not use an anti-virus program.
Why bother?
If I get a virus (highly unlikely), I can just blow the entire intallation of Windows XP away and start over.
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Seriously?
laura.b 8th Aug 2008
So...instead of letting an AV program scan at 3 in the morning (or some other time when you're not on the computer), you'd rather go through moving data and programs, nuking the system, and starting fresh every time there's an issue?

Admittedly, I don't know how often that would happen, as I've never gotten a virus....but your method seems....unreasonable. Perhaps you could explain the logic in that a little further. I'm just not getting how that's a better solution.
0 Votes
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Well, who...
Stuka 8th Aug 2008
Lets a VM run 24/7 on their machine? I only run it when I need it. And most people that run a VM for basic stuff do the same. It doesnt take long at all to drop a new image on (about 25 minutes to get it up and going).
0 Votes
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What about...
DigitalFrog 8th Aug 2008
...all the spam your VM sends out during the daytime because it picked up a mass mailer? Even if it is blown away at the end of the day, you may find your IP address blacklisted.

Operating without some type of security product is just irresponsible in my books.
0 Votes
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See, I think so, too
laura.b 8th Aug 2008
Operating without some type of security product is just irresponsible in my books.

Your system, your decision to make. If you want to totally wipe out your system every so often instead of working around a customizable (and in some cases, free) utility, that's your problem. But when you start infecting other people, it becomes their problem, and that's just not right.
0 Votes
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Irresponsible on a Mac...
arminw 8th Aug 2008
running Windows on a VM? I use Parallels and
isolate the VM from the network. No performance
robbing software is needed. Any software needed
for Windows is first downloaded to a folder on the
Mac. From there it is installed in Windows. I
downloaded SP3 for XP to the Mac and then
installed it on XP. Then I made a backup of the
upgraded HD file. All data generated in Windows is
saved in a dedicated folder on the Mac. Time
Machine then backs that up along with all the Mac
data.
0 Votes
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But
laura.b 8th Aug 2008
It takes 0 minutes to let the AV do it's thing. It's automatic.
0 Votes
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Scan every day?
Sandeep108 8th Aug 2008
Not really necessary. Once you have e-mail scanning, on-access scanning and firewall, an entire scan may be necessary only once a month, if at all.

I was using AVG for 2-3 years before I switched to avast! I have scanned my system only twice in this time. Once with AVG when I felt something was wrong (it wasn't) and second time after installing avast! Again reported my PC was clean. I gave up on AVG8, it felt like it was going to take 10 hours to scan my PC!

Oh and did I mention that for daily regular usage I only run as limited user in XP?
0 Votes
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No, of course not
laura.b 11th Aug 2008
Who in their right mind would run a full scan every day? What is the point?
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
fckovacs 8th Aug 2008
ok, VIPRE is not affecting the computer processing much, is my experience too. However, a good antivirus program should also have a high detection and removal rate...VIPRE does not detect some trojans and viruses which Norton, AVG free and Spyware Doctor 6.0 do detect. So it remains to be seen how good VIPRE really is. Sunbelt said they are working on it...
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But does VIPRE work?
jmattioni@... 8th Aug 2008
To complete the analysis we also need to know how well VIPRE works as an anti-virus product compared to the other products. Where can we find that information?
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re:But does VIPRE work?
alexeck_z 8th Aug 2008
PC Mag did a review when the product was first released:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2326526,00.asp?kc=PCRSS05079TX1K0000993
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Where is Avast and McAfee?
padapa 8th Aug 2008
Why didn't you test Avast, which doesn't bog my system down?

Why didn't you test McAfee? Then you could have awarded NV or McAfee the Resource PIG award! I remove both of them and replace them with Avast on every system I touch!

Padapa
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Or AVG
Greenknight_z 9th Aug 2008
AVG is also popular, and has a reputation as being lighter on system resources. Why only compare against massive bloatware AVs?
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A Better Test System
padapa 8th Aug 2008
One of your test machines should have been a 1Ghz single core WinXP Home system with 512K of memory. That is the type of system that will really show the piggyness of most AV software.

IMHO ... Avast is the only one I've used that doesn't.

Padapa
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Re: A Better Test System
sgoing 22nd Jan 2009
I agree with Padapa to a certain extent. However, a 1GHz processor with 512 (hopefully you meant MB not KB) of memory isn't going to be something I'd consider running XP on any more. Linux maybe, but that's a whole other can of worms.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
boomelectronics@... 8th Aug 2008
What about Trend Micro Internet Security and AVG Internet Security?
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
boomelectronics@... 8th Aug 2008
Only MAC user would think of nuking the system rather than spend the money on a good antivirus.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
ralphb@... 8th Aug 2008
Seen too many AV products turn screamers into slugs; switched to NOD32 ages ago - hardly know it's there and never had a single virus since. Now I'm introducing it into the whole company - and everyone loves it.
0 Votes
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Norton is crap . . would like to see this again.
pikeman666 8th Aug 2008
I had a real ordeal with Norton a few years back and as a result of this will NEVER use them again.
I think your comparison is a good idea and would like to see it done with some other products.
Also, how about using less-powerful PCs? I think those machines you're using are too good.
And how about using an XP OS as well.
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Norton, etc
LostAndFound07 Updated - 16th Aug 2008
I, (and a few fellow geeks) second, third, fourth, etc. pikeman666's suggestions!! Lets be more realistic here!!
(OR, are we the ONLY ones left on dual-core, 1G, XP machines?)
0 Votes
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
honthy@... 8th Aug 2008
and Bitdefender? it is the best one according to some tests...
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
dan@... 8th Aug 2008
Vista 32-Bit can only handle a maximum of 3 GB RAM. That is why your total of 4 GB RAM did not show up.

I really like that Vipre does not affect your PC too much. I recommend Sunbelt's Counterspy to all my clients as it is a great anti-spyware program. I recommend the free AVG antivirus as it works very well.

I will wait for Vipre to get some real-world experience and future technical reviews, before I recommend it.

Norton and McAfee have seen better days. Too bad, as they were the best.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
PedroRa 8th Aug 2008
What about it's behaviour facing threats?
After all and AV must protect your computer properly.
Maybe you could run a test, visit some not so recommendable websites and infect yourself with a couple of resistant viruses and see how each offer actually protects you.

That would be a very nice comparison happy
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Interesting, But Does It Work?
zeterian33@... 8th Aug 2008
Kaspersky and especially, Norton are known system hogs. It would have been much more informative to include NOD32 as I know from experience that they use much less system resources than Norton or Avira.

I've found that:
http://www.av-comparatives.org/seiten/home.html
gives an excellent rating of different AV programs DETECTION rates. NOD32 and Avira invariably get their advanced+ rating, while Norton in usually standard to advanced.

At least Norton is rated. A-V Comparitives only tests the AV programs that detect at least 85% of malware. MSDefender was dropped awhile back because of their consistently high failure rate. AVG and Avast score better than Norton too. VIPRE's lack of testing leads me to dismiss it. It's very easy to write a program that doesn't use any system resources, just don't have it do anything.

As has been noted repeatedly above NOD32 is very light on the system. Testing a program with top rated detection ability and low CPU utilization would have been much more informative.
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A shame about the interface and real-world detection
naibeeru 9th Aug 2008
Despite NOS32's good reputation, the only time I encounter it seem to be once it's host system has been infected! And as far as interfaces go, NOD32 has got to be one of the ugliest and clumiest I've come across - real Win98 stuff! wink

As for resources, while I don't have figures, the REAL computers I come across every day, that are 3-5 years old and a relatively "light" on horse-power, seem to take a reasonable performance hit with most AVs, even Avast (which has always seemed to me to be one of the lightest): NOD32 certainly doesn't "feel" light on anything but very new computers that aren't loaded up with typical "interesting little things I downloaded but don't use or know how to use" software of the average home user... which is of course where the rubber meets the road... happy
0 Votes
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NOD32
zeterian33@... Updated - 11th Aug 2008
I'm not sure what "real" computers you're talking about, but mine is 4 years old running one of AMD's first Athlon 3200 64s, with probably a couple hundred apps on it. Acronis has allowed me to survive mobo, HD failures, and other problems. I still have the originall install of XP on it, though with a different mobo and HD. I had to go to r2 studio's startup delayer to keep all my 15 startup icons loading in the systray. StartRight started loosing icons last year and I had to switch.

As for resources, Sysinternals Process Explorer, which also loads at startup in the systray, shows much less cpu usage than Avira when email arrives, programs open, websites load, etc. My firewall is the most active program now.

I also think AV Comparatives has an excellent testing program, (the best I've found) the details are available at the website. NOD32 and Avira consistently get the highest ratings. I do a lot of research before I pay money for an AV program and you can find fanatics for and against EVERY AV program out there. An independent laboratory is the only way to get unbiased reports.

I'm hoping the next comparative due out soon will include Vipre. I'm interested to see how it compares to the others. The PCWorld article gives it good marks, but they don't have as extensive a testing program and there's no comparison with other AV programs.

I guess if you want dancing bears or other eye candy for a GUI, NOD's is lacking. I find it straightforward and easy to set up.
0 Votes
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Yes, impartial detection analysis needed
spamcon 10th Aug 2008
I agree, performance isn't everything. Accurate and timely detection of new threats is a requirement or might as well run the no-AV solution. Let's see if Sunbelt can get this thing included in the next av-comparatives.org shootout.
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RE: VIPRE performance shoot-out - Does it really not slow down your PC?
Laurentian Enterprises 31st Oct
@zeterian33@...
Eset Nod32 came in lower than Vipre in VB100 comparatives. Of course both did poorly compared to many other products.
0 Votes
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RE: Avast
naibeeru 9th Aug 2008
Avast is definitely the way to go. AVG is slow and clumsy, often missing viruses, and has no boot-time scan ability. Not only that, but version 8 is HUGE compared to 7.5 - very intrusive and Norton-like.

Of the 10 or so systems I've had to repair in the last 2 months for virus infection, 2 had NOD32, 3 had AVG (1 x 7.5, 2 x 8), 2 had McAfee, 1 had ClamWin, 1 had Norton and 1 had Kaspersky. In each case I upgraded the customer to Avast. In each case, the machine increased in performance anywhere from 10-30% (don't have actual figures, just going by how quick things were "before and after").

I'm surprised that after all these years Avast is the only AV I've come across that can schedule a boot-time scan - without having to fart about with making some sort of boot CD. Further, now that they have hit the 60 million user mark, I can't understand how people can deliberately chose bloat-wares like McAfee, TrendMicro, Norton or Kaspersky!

More power to Avast! happy

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