diff --git a/emulator/gauge_rio.conf b/emulator/gauge_rio.conf
index 1cb8721..5e3d30d 100644
--- a/emulator/gauge_rio.conf
+++ b/emulator/gauge_rio.conf
@@ -3,8 +3,10 @@ output=opengl
 # keep scheduling priority when unfocused -- the default (higher,normal)
 # demotes DOSBox in the background, adding latency that blows the RIO's
 # few-ms ACK deadline (confirmed: hands-off run = zero dropouts).
-# highest = HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS (higher,higher still showed a dropout).
-priority=highest,highest
+# higher,higher not highest: HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS starved the host desktop;
+# with the retry patches (v3 33ms idle window + v4 0.5s retry) a rare
+# dropout self-recovers, so ABOVE_NORMAL both ways is the better trade.
+priority=higher,higher
 [dosbox]
 memsize=32
 machine=svga_s3
diff --git a/emulator/gauge_rio_log.conf b/emulator/gauge_rio_log.conf
index fae52ad..9e987ca 100644
--- a/emulator/gauge_rio_log.conf
+++ b/emulator/gauge_rio_log.conf
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 [sdl]
 output=opengl
-priority=highest,highest
+# higher,higher not highest: HIGH_PRIORITY_CLASS starved the host desktop;
+# with the retry patches a rare dropout self-recovers (see gauge_rio.conf).
+priority=higher,higher
 [dosbox]
 memsize=32
 machine=svga_s3