Windows Vista - productivity

Due to the fact that the system is still in a state of beta, and some programs with it is still not consistent, we used slightly different from the usual group of tests.

Configuration test site:

Productivity in the games

Users who expect to use this beta system as a good gaming platform will be disappointed. The results of our gaming tests speak for themselves.

In games that are based in Vista x64 new system did not show any advantage over the 32 - bit version of Vista x86.

Does this mean that Vista x64 suitable for a limited number of games, or is it merely a problem of 3DMark, determine this we can not yet. Slightly more compatible with existing software Vista x86 half of the tests when antialiasing turned off by 25% slower than XP. And again, there is no way to say exactly what the problem - early drivers or new operating system, but rather a complex problem.

Antialiasing still is a problem for Vista, it in all our tests. Hal-Life 2 showed the biggest difference in the results - more than 30%, and vice versa when the Doom antialiasinge showed a smaller difference in the outcome of XP and Vista. These problems are most noticeable among the owners-the-art graphics cards and X1900 series 7900, as they allow the use of antialiasing as one of the important advantages. So, given the problems with productivity, better yet not recommend installing beta Vista to those who would use your computer primarily for games.

In Doom 3, which uses, we have not noticed any problems with the quality of images, felt just the usual slowdown in productivity and reduction. Here the problem is different. OpenGL Doom maximum advantage of opportunities for graphics processing, leaving no room for the work of graphic mechanism Vista. Saves that Doom 3 - fullscreen game, which does not even allow the user to switch tasks normally using Alt-Tab.

Overall performance

In contrast to the performance in the games, the overall level of the operating system, productivity applications in the conventional looks much better.
XP Vista x86 Vista x64
Cinebench 9.5 (rendering) 363347340 / 376
Cinebench 9.5 (OpenGL) 3934 2613 2330/2499
Adobe Photoshop CS2 (seconds) 220243 .7 235.5
AutoGK Encoding (Xvid 1.1, second) 1040 1141 1094
Productivity Vista is still lower than XP, but again, we can not say whether the blame only the operating system. Except Cinebech OpenGL results, which show poor performance video engine system, nothing else has shown such poor results compared with Vista XP. Vista x86 concedes XP throughout, but these results are significantly better than in games. They have a hope that all of the difference in performance will disappear when a final version of the system.

As for the Vista x64, especially in Cinebench, who is here only 64 - bitne testing, the system broke forward before Vista x86 and XP, demonstrating the potential of 64 - bit technology. This we have seen, when working with 32 - bitne software in the 64 - bit version of Windows XP.

Download time

In addition to performance, for the majority of users are not less important is time the operating system. The next testing using the stopwatch, we measured the time downloads only the operating system from the time the computer screen until you greetings:

Given our previous testing weaker configuration, the long load is not surprised. Even 73 seconds in the 64 - bit version - is much less nearly five minutes that the system retrieved in our previous testing. But it is still very long. Wait a minute longer until the computer is booted simply unacceptable. Again, we hope the final version of the system will work.

Productivity WCE

Windows Composition Engine (WCE), which handles all of these effects, with the transition at the interface using GPU can give part of the work of graphic processor. To look at how many involved with the central processor, we naotkryvali windows, overlapping one another, and within 10 seconds, dragging them by measuring the CPU load. If WCE copes with its work well, the pressure on the processor should decrease. All three models rendering interface Vista tested to the maximum the same conditions, and included in the test Windows XP, was also to the maximum extent possible these conditions.

CPU load:

XP: 49%
Vista Aero: 33%
Vista Basic: 97%
Vista Classic: 78%

Result XP must be taken with caution, and in the Aero WCE does its job well.

It is not clear why such a bad result at the Vista Basic. As we noted above, the Basic can be seen simply as a new design under the former regime rendering Windows XP. In this case, truly puzzled as to why the most loaded central processor. Graphical interface Basic should not provide such an impact on productivity, so as not much different from XP and not using 3D acceleration.

It goes without saying that Vista have yet to prove that it is facing a substitute for the XP. On the other hand, it could be viewed as a first real chance to meet Apple's graphical user interface features of Mac OS X. And most importantly it is a time when Apple also moved to x86 processors.

Despite the fact that Vista is still in a state of beta, it is what it will take place among other operating systems.

Vista and OS X Tiger

Though Microsoft denies, and Apple itself as a competitor in the field of operating systems, many users of the system are compared between these two companies, and new business opportunities for Vista will look more as it is not a good imitation of what is already there in a long time Tiger.

Naturally, this does not apply to absolutely everything. For example, Microsoft is better realized switching between applications using Alt + tab, making it possible for a small preview copy of windows open applications. It is a bit easier to get into Tiger through Cmd + tab. Another piece of glasses Microsoft adds new features IE7 browser, which provides forums Safari.

But, despite all the improvements implemented in Microsoft Vista, it seems that the system was not yet ready to fight on equal Tiger. Apple still offers a more thought-out concept of interface and functionality, such as the possibility of installing software by using drag and drop and the Unix shell. At first glance, Vista and Tiger may seem quite equally, but closer consideration it becomes clear that this is not the case, though more will Leopard ...

Vista and XP

So, Apple users will not be impressed by the opportunities Vista, but Windows XP users still have that chance. Comparing the two versions of Windows are of different generations, it is worth to take into account the differences in productivity. And this comparison is not in favor of Vista. If Microsoft could not be in time for the emergence of the future system on the market to solve all problems with the drivers and make the system at least the same as fast XP, the company would find it difficult to interest many users switching to a new system.

On the other hand, heightened security the new system suggests that novices better move on it, even at the expense of some performance.

Given the complexities, it is difficult to recommend someone to move to Windows Vista.

If Microsoft will be able to solve all problems, it will get quite competitive OS, which want to move users of Windows XP.

If Microsoft were not able to solve all the problems with Windows XP, it will be another powerful lever, which allows the system to translate into future many fans of computer games, as well as the use of DirectX 10 will be possible only in Windows Vista.

Vista x64

In this article we talked mainly about the 32 - bit versions of Vista, but the 64 - bit version of the system also deserves mention. "On paper," it's better, more secure because, in theory, more productive and more promising, but on the other hand, it is clearly the time has not yet come.

For this version of the operating system are just what we said in the surveys 64 - bit version of Windows XP.

Vista x64 still may be interested only enthusiast. The limitation of 2 GB of memory for applications in the 32 - bit operation will not be felt for several years, and during that time and resources to demanding applications until require 64 - bit system.

More precisely about all the possibilities Windows Vista, including its 64 - bit version, will be seen after the release of the final version of the operating system. While Vista x64 perceived as a bit distorted reflection Vista x86.