Does Wallpaper Affect Computer Speed?

If the wallpaper is a moving one such as swimming fish, YES speed is affected since the computer must constantly refresh itself to show the movement. How much of an effect is determined by the amount of times the refresh rate must occur. For this reason, most businesses insist that their employees use static background images and wallpaper.

Good answer. Yes picture quality can definitely slow the processor down. Check the pic and see what e size it is. If its is in MB then it's way to big, 2500KB is OK for fast computers but older pics need to be in the 100's.

Yes if your computer was made before 2000 then a moving wallpaper in the background will probably cripple it.
But if your computer can play Crysis on max graphics then your computers speed won't be affected even if you have 30 HD videos playing in the background.