Can we run Windows Vista’s Aero without taking a performance hit?
Looking to upgrade to Windows Vista but worried about Aero’s (Vista UI) hit on system performance? According to an M-Dollar report, technology assessment firm Principled Technologies has recently done a study “on the performance of Windows XP Service Pack 2 was compared to Windows Vista when performing common business operations”. The key findings were:
1. After several common business operations, Vista was more responsive after rebooting as compared to Windows XP
2. Generally, Vista and XP were equally responsive on most test operations
3. Aero had little to no negative effect on the responsiveness of Vista
Sounds good doesnt it? But here’s the rub: Microsoft provided the PC’s and were responsible for the settings. In addition, the testers only used a whopping 5 systems to determine their findings.
I dont know about you but id rather see a wholly independent body do the study. A bigger sample of machines would also be a good idea. Sure, they included a machine with only 512MB RAM and one with a 2Ghz processor but a wider representation of what machines ordinary users would have would have been much better.
Also, With Aero running primarily off the systems GPU (graphical processing unit) than on the CPU, it makes sense if the test machines didnt break a sweat if equipped with a capable video card. Running the tests with one or two browsers, an antivirus, a couple of word processing apps, two or more instant messaging clients running simultaneously would probably be a better simulation of real world usage than a fresh new machine.
While Vista will run with just the basic Aero interface, you will lose much of what makes Windows Vista what it is. I suggest getting at least an Ati 9600 class video card for Vista if you plan on using the full Aero Glass interface, although im sure having a faster (or a multiple core) CPU, GPU and bigger system memory would help especially if you plan to do some gaming on your system.
[ Aero 3dflip image courtesy of Microsoft ]
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Windows Vista
0 opinions for Can we run Windows Vista’s Aero without taking a performance hit?
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: