Definition of a "resource hog"?

[opticreep]

I've always been a little confused by how resources are allocated in an
Windows operating system. Maybe someone could clear things up for
me...

Would a huge high-res desktop wallpaper on Windows XP use up more CPU
resources than a blank desktop? Or would it just use up more RAM (but
not CPU time)?

A fancy Windows XP desktop theme, with fancy skins, high-res
wallpapers, calendars, clocks, and all sorts of pretty things in the
desktop... would they still take up RAM and CPU resources when I'm
running a program (ie games like Doom3, compilers, etc)? Or will the
operating system essentially "suspend" the resources being allocated to
the desktop themes?

A program running in the background (peer-to-peer network) usually uses
up negligible CPU power... at least according to task manager.
Assuming I have loads of RAM to cover my bases, does a peer-to-peer
program in the background have practically no effect on system
performance?

TIA

 

[Alex Nichol]

Would a huge high-res desktop wallpaper on Windows XP use up more CPU
resources than a blank desktop? Or would it just use up more RAM (but
not CPU time)?

None at all. A Wallpaper file is converted to a bmp file at the exact
resolution of the screen, and it makes no difference how complex that is
for simple copying, which is what is needed

A fancy Windows XP desktop theme, with fancy skins, high-res
wallpapers, calendars, clocks, and all sorts of pretty things in the
desktop... would they still take up RAM and CPU resources when I'm
running a program (ie games like Doom3, compilers, etc)? Or will the
operating system essentially "suspend" the resources being allocated to
the desktop themes?

Things that are active can use up CPU; the standard visual effects at
Control Panel - System - Advanced - Performance click Settings - Custom
panel can take quite a lot, especially shadows under menus; I suggest
turning the top ten off. Visualisations in Media Player when playing
music can use CPU heavily. With third party items you have to try and
see: you are in the hands of the programmers