Tips, Tricks and Settings to Help Prevent Freezes?

SFAM

A couple of times a day I get a freeze due to CPU over-consumption (according to ASC Performance Monitor) while using DAZ Studio, either while doing other things during a long render, but many times while knob-twiddling in DS (after a long render).  I'm wondering about any possible settings, within DS or on my laptop, that could help prevent at least some of these CPU oriented freeze-ups?  And I try to use the Iray Viewport setting as little as possible.

Dell i7-2620M, 2.7 ghz, 8gb RAM, 500gb 7200 rpm HD w/30% free, Nvidia Quadro 1000M (2gb), Windows 7 Pro SP1, A07 bios, DAZ Studio 4.9, rendering in Iray, all updated drivers, with frequent system clearing with Advanced SystemCare.

Yes, I realize this is a very modest system for 3D rendering and such, but it works well 95% of the time. RAM has not been an issue (according to ASC Performance Monitor readings).  I just imagine there could be some settings or steps I could take that could help reduce these CPU lock-ups!?  And no point in suggesting new or different processors, as I just got this, and I'm generally very happy with it overall. (there's always something better around, but it is what it is).

Also, I've previously (many years ago) seen mention of certain key combos that could help escape apparent application lock-ups without having to close the offending application (through Task Mgr.), but I can't remember them - any ideas in this area would be appreciated too!

Thanks!

mjc1016

Rendering is intensive...and most efficiently done when the renderer can have full access to all the system resources. 

You can set the affinity and there by limit the number of cores Studio will use.

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/37272/set-a-programs-affinity-in-windows-7-for-better-performance/

Personally, I'd rather close out everything else and let Studio/Iray have everything they can grab.

 

SFAM

Thanks, mjc1016!  Wonderful info, I'd completely forgotten!  Thanks!