Understanding the Vista Windows Experience Meter

Upgrading your operating system is never quite as simple as you'd like it to be.  For many, a simply operating system change results in new hardware, larger graphics cards, bigger hard drives... the list goes on.  This phenomenon is known as “new OS requirements”, and it's the results of the minimum specifications set by the new operating system being set quite high. Failure to make these upgrades causes poor system performance, and even instability in certain situations.

Microsoft has addressed this with the “Windows Experience Meter”.  This program scans your computer and evaluates certain criteria (which we'll get into in just a moment), giving you a numeric score which gives you an idea of how Vista will perform on your computer.

Understanding the Program

The program rates five elements: Processor, RAM, Graphics, Gaming Graphics, and Primary Hard Disk Transfer Rate.  Each of these elements will receive a score between 1 and 6, and you will be given a base score, which is simply a reproduction of your lowest score.

Processor Speed

The program tests your processors ability to make numerous calculations per second.  The more calculations it can make, the higher your score.  Any new dual core processor, made by both AMD and Intel, will be just fine.  Older Athlons and Pentium IV's may begin to show their age, causing Vista to run sluggishly.

RAM

The program tests how many operations per second your RAM is capable of.  Again, any decent set of DDR or DDR2 ram will perform just fine.  If you have SDRAM, such as PC-133 or lower, you will score very low.

Graphics

This will calculate how your graphics card will perform for Windows Aero.  Any hardware Direct X 9 card will probably pass, though we recommend a minimum of 128 megabytes of video RAM.

Gaming Graphics

This tests how your computer will perform when rendering intense 3D scenes, such as the ones created while gaming.  This score may not be important to you if you aren't a gamer, so if your graphics score is decent (anything over 3) you can get by.

Primary Hard Disk

This tests your hard drives ability to transfer data. Most newer 7,200 rpm hard drives should be okay.

Scoring Analysis

The average computer will score somewhere between 3 and 4, allowing it to run Vista without a problem.  The scoring system basically works as follows:

1-1.9

Stick with Windows XP, as Vista performance will be slow and unreliable.

2.0-2.9

The bare minimum in order to sufficiently run Vista. May experience slight slowdowns.

3.0-3.9

Average Vista performance. Most low-end computers being sold will rate in this area.

4.0-4.9

Good performance. Your computer is likely fairly high end.

5.0+

Excellent performance. Vista will run smooth as silk.