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Forums > Home› Support› PC, Network, and Other Technical Issues› Windows and General: PC, Network, and Other Technical Issues

Steam vs Arc

matchstick606matchstick606 Member Posts: 233 Arc User
edited May 2015 in Windows and General: PC, Network, and Other Technical Issues
i don't mind using a client and i am on steam a lot i just wanted to know when it comes to the clients overall footprint on my pc what would be the better of the two?
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MY FLEET:http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=498091
Post edited by matchstick606 on

Comments

  • unangbangkayunangbangkay Member Posts: 10 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    matchstick606 wrote: »
    i don't mind using a client and i am on steam a lot i just wanted to know when it comes to the clients overall footprint on my pc what would be the better of the two?

    I don't know the exact figures, or your actual system specs, but would guess that Steam would probably have a larger overall processing/memory footprint on your computer because it has more features and bigger scope than Arc, which is basically just a frontend launcher for PerfectWorld games.

    Whether or not you'll notice a difference really depends on your computer, and if the difference is big enough to significantly affect your computer's performance, I would wonder if your computer is even capable of playing STO acceptably at all.

    But I can't say for sure, because I don't use Arc, and transition my games to Steam when possible. In fact, you can play STO without even Steam if you fiddle with the files a bit with no consequences.

    I can say, however, that even though you can play STO and whatever other Cryptic games via Steam, Steam does NOT handle auto-patching. You still have to launch the STO, Champions, or Neverwinter launchers to get those games to patch.
  • latiasracerlatiasracer Member Posts: 680 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    unangbangkay wrote: »

    But I can't say for sure, because I don't use Arc, and transition my games to Steam when possible. In fact, you can play STO without even Steam if you fiddle with the files a bit with no consequences.
    You don't even need to do that, you can simply pin it to your task bar (Assuming you have Vista/7/8/8.1) and close steam, click the icon and your taskbar and it will launch independently of steam :D
    warp plasma can't melt neutronium beams
  • matchstick606matchstick606 Member Posts: 233 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    unangbangkay wrote: »
    I don't know the exact figures, or your actual system specs, but would guess that Steam would probably have a larger overall processing/memory footprint on your computer because it has more features and bigger scope than Arc, which is basically just a frontend launcher for PerfectWorld games.

    Whether or not you'll notice a difference really depends on your computer, and if the difference is big enough to significantly affect your computer's performance, I would wonder if your computer is even capable of playing STO acceptably at all.

    But I can't say for sure, because I don't use Arc, and transition my games to Steam when possible. In fact, you can play STO without even Steam if you fiddle with the files a bit with no consequences.

    I can say, however, that even though you can play STO and whatever other Cryptic games via Steam, Steam does NOT handle auto-patching. You still have to launch the STO, Champions, or Neverwinter launchers to get those games to patch.

    well i can play sto without any problems with most of the settings maxed out but thanks for the info, seems i'll just stick with arc.
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    MY FLEET:http://sto-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=498091
  • oneandonlyrecceoneandonlyrecce Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    Steam is an application that has been around for a while now and the kinks have been worked out. I have more faith and trust in the Steam payment process that PWE/Cryptic. So would rather purchase Zen via Steam that Arc.

    While Arc is new and the launcher is only the start with the intention of adding "Social Features" over time.
  • meedacthunistmeedacthunist Member Posts: 3,085 Arc User1
    edited December 2013
    Arc=Steam=pretty much your personal preference.

    Arc already looks very Steam and it's development looks like it was going for making it more streamlined.

    Pick whatever you like more.

    If you don't like any background applications running with your game, chances are that you will not like neither Arc, nor Steam.

    Personally, I don't care very much. I'll stick with Steam because I'm more used to it.
    *Alternative CO forum*  *Toons at PDB*  *DeviantART*




  • mikeflmikefl Member Posts: 861 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    I've used both but ARC is definitely lighter on resources than Steam, as far as which one is better, probably depends on what you're playing.
    Gold Sub since March 2010
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  • comtedeloach2comtedeloach2 Member Posts: 499 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    Steam has no detectable footprint and is the better of the two because it is more mature. I have never had a problem with Steam interfering with a game ever, and I have had it since day one.
  • sunfranckssunfrancks Member Posts: 3,925 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    No contest really, go with Steam.

    Unlike Arc, I have yet to see Steam scan any non Steam directories/hard drives and then send that data across the interweb, without permission....
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  • hanoverhanover Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    Neither, thanks. :mad:
    Does Arc install a root kit? Ask a Dev today!
  • comtedeloach2comtedeloach2 Member Posts: 499 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    Whats your beef with Steam? with evidence, please.....
  • hanoverhanover Member Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    comtedeloach2 wrote: »
    Whats your beef with Steam? with evidence, please.....

    At best, it is unnecessary bloat to do something I can do just fine without it. I will not be saddled with TRIBBLE like this just because some marketing sleaze thought it was a great idea for chiseling more pennies off of people.
    Does Arc install a root kit? Ask a Dev today!
  • comtedeloach2comtedeloach2 Member Posts: 499 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    comtedeloach2 wrote: »
    Steam has no detectable footprint and is the better of the two because it is more mature. I have never had a problem with Steam interfering with a game ever, and I have had it since day one.
    hanover2 wrote: »
    At best, it is unnecessary bloat to do something I can do just fine without it. I will not be saddled with TRIBBLE like this just because some marketing sleaze thought it was a great idea for chiseling more pennies off of people.

    IOW, you really never used Steam so you dont know what you are talking about.. Sure there is a Store area, but there is also a library area (i have 50+ games on it) you can set it to automatically open to. You dont have to buy anythign unless you want to, and you dont get a crapload of email from Steam about TRIBBLE you dont want. And you dont have to worry about keeping CD's safe, you need something you just download it from steam and its all there. You can even turn off any social networking on the site so that doesnt bother you either.

    you are worrying a whole lot about a problem that doesnt exist....
  • pro418archmagepro418archmage Member Posts: 1 Arc User
    edited December 2013
    i've had both before and arc fails steam wins no contest
  • unclereekyunclereeky Member Posts: 33 Arc User
    edited May 2015
    Lately, I've been finding it difficult to find or locate prepaid cards
    To use for my STO account. I use the use the Perfect World Prepaid Cards
    But for some reason...EVERYONE is out of them. What I'm seeing now
    Are ARC prepaid cards..but I have always seen the Steam Prepaid cards.
    Because of the availability of the Steam prepaid cards being readily available,
    Would it be very difficult to uninstall ARC and Install STEAM and then
    Re-instal STAR Trek Online from Steam?
  • jib456jib456 Member Posts: 2 Arc User
    That's easy, But Sto did came with Arc in the first place so I wouldn't re-install STO on Steam, because I have a STO Account on Arc and isn't that bad and it Steam I'm to try soon.
    Also is not difficult to uninstall and install Steam and Arc.
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