Seriously, I don't understand why people re-format there drive and do clean install from time to time. . Yes I know that Windows s**ks and all the crap it accumulate eventually will cause some lost of performance. But is it really that big a deal to start with? Even a 5% drop is hardly noticeable if you have a fast enough system. I have never had to re-format and re0install on a system. If I feel I'm beginning to push the system to the limit. I just go get a faster CPU and videocard or worst case build a new system.
Well, I'm not going to get into a DRM debate here. But I have no problem with a limited install as long is it's like 5 (was a bit pissed at Mass Effect's 3) but Is seems EA went back to disc check for Dragon Age so you can install as many copies as you want and all you need is have the disc which I can live with for desktops but I'll probably get a no-disc hack for my laptop when I travel.
You seem to assume that the reformats are needed because of performance issues? that's not always the case !
Actually some DRMs used to install/uninstall in unsafe environments, which meant you COULD actually crash &/or lose data during those operations. not even considering the fact that this DRM was installed without prior consent nor knowledge of the matter.
all this due to poor DRM developper code whose only goal is (let's face it) to take control of your computer in your place and decide what you should do.
Hey imagine you try to smoke weed and a police officer immediately shows up and put a chewing gum into your mouth by force (without your permission or explicit consent whatsoever?) so ok maybe you shouldn't smoke weed but that doesn't justify the "chewing gum effect" ;)
I'm just saying there's several reasons not to like DRMs.
And also I don't format often myself but I know several people which tend to get crap software over crap software which even if it's not malware in itself have a tendency to overload and slow the computer
Plus there's also those times where you wonder why you crash after 24Hours of continuous game play, only to find out a poor module on some unrelated piece of software had a handle leak which makes your computer crash once the handle count reaches a treshold...
This way just to say there's several reasons to format a computer for those who do that (which I don't ;) )