App Mode vs. Game Mode

Posted by Ethan M. on 2 June 2009 | 3 Comments

Tags: app mode, game config, comparison

The Killer NIC® and Killer Xeno™ support two different modes of use:  App Mode and Game Mode.  What is the difference between these two?  Let’s take a look:

  • Game Mode:  Game mode is the accelerated mode.  It installs a bypass around the sluggish Windows networking stack and inserts a custom Linux network stack more designed for low latency operation.  It also offloads UDP data from your CPU onto the Killer’s own networking processor (NPU).  These two features help to reduce lag and improve the overall gameplay of online games. 

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  • App Mode:  App Mode is the unaccelerated mode.  It disables UDP offload and the Windows network stack bypass the Killer offers.  It is designed for use with any application you may use that requires the Windows network stack to be present.  The list is getting shorter and shorter with each driver update, but one example is VPN software.  A VPN looks for certain parts of the Windows network stack just to function.  You might notice that you just can’t connect to these while in LLR Game Mode, so your solution is to switch the Killer to App Mode just while using these programs.

It is usually okay to remain in LLR Game Mode.  As long as you can connect to all your applications, there’s no reason to switch to App Mode.  The only time to make the switch is if something just won’t connect.  If for some reason it won’t connect in either mode (when you know it should), you may want to contact tech support.


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Comments

  • Posted by Timo, 04/08/2009 11:43pm (7 months ago)

    Hi,

    an interesting application for a Killer Nic would be to use it as a server control console - i.e. for running sshd open to internet, to which one could login to and reboot the 'host' machine into separate maintenance os:

    The nic could provide access - via the usb port - to a fake hard drive, on which one could install a simple linux distribution for the host. When the host won't boot on the regular system (and real hard drives), one logs into the nic and tells it to enable the usb hard drive and restart the machine - the host bios would be configured to boot from usb if present before the normal hard drive.

    Cheers

    myname -at- karhuton.com

  • Posted by Bigfoot Sean, 13/07/2009 11:38am (8 months ago)

    Hexen,

    Currently, we only offer Windows 7 support in Vista Compatibility Mode. Since Windows 7 is still in beta, we're working to make the best driver possible in time for the official launch in October, when we'll offer full Windows 7 support.

    Keep your eyes peeled, though, in case we announce a beta version before then.

    And remember, you can always post questions on our forums as well:
    http://www.bigfootnetworks.com/killerforums/

    Thanks for your comment!

    Sean

  • Posted by Hexen, 29/06/2009 4:30am (9 months ago)

    So, I can use Game Mode in XP and Vista, why not in Windows 7?

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