Avira vs. Avast!

I have Avira free in use on my primary machine, which is a 3Ghz quadcore running Windows 7, and I have been satisfied with the performance on that machine.
Today, while working on this Athlon 3800, on which I recently installed XP, after removing the vile and hated (by me) Vista, I noticed that some processes were really hogging CPU and I had sensed that this machine was running slower than my old, now defunct Athlon 3500, I checked into those hoggy proccesses to discover they were related to PCTools security that I had installed. After a little research, I found more than a few people complaining about PCTools being resource hungry, I got rid of my PCTools A/V and firewall, and replaced them with Avast and Zone Alarm, respectively.
I had used Avast years ago on several different machines, but havent used it in a couple of years. I really like the new look and layout, and after the initial scan is finished, if Avast doesn't hog resources like PCTools, I will keep it.
I tried installing Avira on this Athlon 3800, but the installation would fail with a popup in a language im not familiar with.

TL;DR

What's up with Avast these days ? I remember it being very slow to run a full HDD scan, but I was clicking through the features of what appears to be a new, revamped Avast and I like what I'm seeing. I wonder if I should try it on my Windows 7 machine ? I know, personal preference and all that, but -
Opinions ?

 

I have Avast on a couple of 64-bit Win7 computers that we primarily use for gaming, and have no complaints at all.

 

Another avast! kudos - runs well on every W7 version I've worked with.

The only drawback I've found is the inability to schedule a boot scan on 64-bit machines - I hope that's in the process of being addressed.

An added plus, however, is that the new avast! version contains anti-spyware technology.

 

I'm using PC Tools FW Plus 7, released 11-30-2010, with XP and Avast 5.

Mem Usage:
FirewallGUI.exe 28,960K
FWService.exe 1,964K

Most of the stuff I've read regards Zone Alarm to be quite bloated.
I think Comodo, firewall ONLY, would probably do better.

Haven't used it (yet), but that's based on reviews and many comments.

Avira has a very slightly higher detection rate compared to Avast, but very slight difference.
Avira has been known in the past for rather higher rates of false positives but that has gotten better recently
and tests that I've seen indicate that Avast is better at Removing infections than Avira.
Avira is probably a bit lower with system resource use.

 

Running Comodo Personal Firewall on a Vista Home Ultimate machine.
Task Managers processes page shows that Comodo is using 2864K of memory and 0% CPU usage.

 

WOW, what a difference!!

Would I get similar performance with XP.

Which version is that.
Is it this one: Comodo Firewall 5.3.43550.1216 Final

 

I stand corrected.
It is Comodo Internet Security. (firewall only).
Version at this time is 4.0.4167.742.

 

Just checked the MG product pages for Comodo Internet Security and Comodo Firewall (current)
and they both show the same version number, 5.1.37755.1159.
That's odd since Internet Security install process offers the option of installing only the firewall. :confused

Checking the Task Manager 'mem usage' for PC Tools FW components again, the FirewalGUI.exe number Dropped to 18,672K.

The highest 'mem usage', other than the web browser, is consistently mbamservice.exe for Malwarebytes Anti-malware,
currently at 78,500K. One user in the MB forums reported a steady 'mem usage' of 485MB with Windows 7 32 bit
with Anti-malware ver.1.42. (current: 1.50.1.1100)

 

I have been reading about Avira and Avast! recently and here are some reviews I found:

PC Mag: Avira AntiVir Personal 10

PC Mag: avast! Free Antivirus 5.0

Bright Hub: Avira AntiVir 10 Review

Bright Hub: Avast! 5 Review

 

:wave HI, Had a read thru this thread and I have my own conclusions for what they're worth here they are
1. I tried all sorts of antivirus freeware and time limited offers on shareware . They all seem to work well enough . Norton 'paid' had the slightest edge but the cost for a :cryboonie:wave was away over my potential.
2Avg /bulldog / and many others built in a progressive usage build that was too unacceptable. So all were thrown out , some with a tad more difficulty than others,
3 Avira gmbh. Has fit the bill here perfectly . more so since Win Def has been recycled. .
Conclusion= It comes over the net in good condition is easy to lock and load and if you run it deep very little gets past its scrutiny. By the way when you are d/loading updates just click OK on the pop up and it all runs quicker.
I once tried the paid edition and if I had the Spare dollar I would buy the full nine yards.
****on the net since 98***me:wave

 

After reading the PC Mag reviews, I have decided to stay with Avira on my quadcore, and since Avira would not install on my XP machine, I'll just stick with Avast for that one - I don't use the XP machine as much.
I don't know why avira wouldn't install on the XP machine, I wonder if the install failure might be due to the fact that I'm running 32 bit XP on the 64 bit Athlon 3800 . Since i can't read whatever language it is that the popup notice is written in, I can't know what the failure is.
At any rate, I'm satisfied with my setups now.
Thanks to all of you for your input !

 

I've used all the free versions of anti-virus and firewall over the years, with all versions of Windows. They might all perform adequately for a time, then for a variety of reasons they fall off in performance. I'm currently using Avast free anti-virus, and Comodo. (firewall only) They are both performing well at the moment, but things could change and then I'll look elsewhere. PC Tools once was good, but since change of ownership, performance dropped off.

 

It's been a while since I installed Avira (using Avast! now), but most installers
that have multi-language capabilities ASK for the preferred language to use First Thing during the install process.

Avira's development team is in Germany so the message could have been in German. I think it's pretty odd that you would see that. rolleyes

 

Same here.

 

Have you tried opening the message in explorer with the translation tool. It comes out in some convoluted:cry English but the gist is understandable

 

It wouldn't even make it that far. It pops up almost instantaneously .

 

Screen-cap it and post a picture. Someone here is bound to be able to translate.

 

I've never used Avira. ( yet )
I'm currently using Avast free anti-virus, and Comodo, (firewall only) on a Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit OS laptop.

Windows Task Manager processes page shows that Comodo is using 4452K of memory and 0% CPU usage. Avast, however is using 6856K in AvastSvc.exe and 2152K in AvastUi.exe

Bazza

 

Little bit off topic .But has anyone noticed any change or error reporting after using the edit button on the reply to posts.:crybaby