XP vs. Vista Performance

[Michael]

I'm now working on my Vista box again, and I'm trying to determine whether I should revert back to XP, for performance sake, or if Vista is suitable.

I'm not concerned with the 'eye candy factor', as I have a valid windowblinds license that'll work for either OS.

These are my current specs;

AMD x2 3800+
2GB (512MB x4) DDR2/PC2-4200
evga 7600GT w/ GDDR3 RAM (256MB)
Dual 250GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS drives
MSI K9NBPM2-FID Motherboard
(+ various random parts, dual dvd drives, etc)

I want to get the most out of my setup, and I have a valid XP license (OEM, but still a license).. where-as, I would have to buy another Vista license because I'm running their trial right now (I keep re-arming it, then re-installing every 3 months).

Do you think Vista is more of a resource hog than XP, to the point that I would see a performance increase if I went back to XP?

Honest opinions are welcomed

-mak

 

[tlarkin]

Well, if you use any pirated software vista has the potential of shutting your machine down to a less functional one. Not that I support software pirates by any means at all but I am against DRM completely and what it stands for. DRM hurts the consumer in so many ways.

Your video card is not DX10 (at least I don't think) and even if it is you won't benefit a huge amount from it over DX 9 other than better textures with a less frames per a second.

So really in Vista you don't get any performance increase, you just get better looking graphics. DX 10 games or games ran in DX10 mode have shown a decrease in frames per a second but increase the way textures look, and yes some games it is obvious how much better DX10 is and in others its not noticeable really. Depends on the developer.

Given the cost to upgrade and what you want to do I would say keep it as is. Let Vista get a few service packs and when you go to build a new rig then consider Vista.

 

[vonfeldt7]

Well, if you use any pirated software vista has the potential of shutting your machine down to a less functional one.

What? What does it do? My uh..."friend" has some pirated software & I use ...I mean my friend...uses Vista? Whats going on?

 

[Michael]

Well, if you use any pirated software vista has the potential of shutting your machine down to a less functional one. Not that I support software pirates by any means at all but I am against DRM completely and what it stands for. DRM hurts the consumer in so many ways.

Your video card is not DX10 (at least I don't think) and even if it is you won't benefit a huge amount from it over DX 9 other than better textures with a less frames per a second.

So really in Vista you don't get any performance increase, you just get better looking graphics. DX 10 games or games ran in DX10 mode have shown a decrease in frames per a second but increase the way textures look, and yes some games it is obvious how much better DX10 is and in others its not noticeable really. Depends on the developer.

Given the cost to upgrade and what you want to do I would say keep it as is. Let Vista get a few service packs and when you go to build a new rig then consider Vista.

I think you misunderstood, I already have Vista Ultimate installed.. but still have my old XP license and was thinking about reverting in hopes of a performance increase..

My card doesn't support DX10, but I don't use my PC for gaming anyways... or anything that requires so much precision. Photoshop is the only program I use that relies on having a good gfx card, and this one suits me fine.

I don't think pirated software will be an issue for me.. I have the option to use cracked versions of Vista, but I'm choosing to use a valid license.. if that says anything lol

I guess I'm just thinking that Vista is a resource hog.. takes about 10 seconds to fully load, sometimes eats up 500MB+ of RAM @ idle, etc.. and with XP, I never had any of that.. my old CeleronD w./ 768MB of RAM and no external gfx card would load up in about 7-8 seconds, from the time I hit the power button on the PC.. and I always had resources to spare..

I just want to get the most out of the hardware I have, since I won't be upgrading anytime soon.

The 2 biggest factors are;

1.) If I continue using Vista, it's either re-install in 1.5 months - or buy a valid license ($180)

2.) Will XP run smoother and free up more resources than Vista?

-mak



PS:

What? What does it do? My uh..."friend" has some pirated software & I use ...I mean my friend...uses Vista? Whats going on?

I'm not so sure it's a good idea to speak like that around here.. you're liable to get IP banned by the Piracy Police, lol.

 

[tlarkin]

What? What does it do? My uh..."friend" has some pirated software & I use ...I mean my friend...uses Vista? Whats going on?

If you have a non valid copy of windows it starts to disable features until you validate the copy, this technology allows for developers to do the same. It is a DRM enabled OS. It is up to the developer to do this for third party

 

[tlarkin]

I think you misunderstood, I already have Vista Ultimate installed.. but still have my old XP license and was thinking about reverting in hopes of a performance increase..

My card doesn't support DX10, but I don't use my PC for gaming anyways... or anything that requires so much precision. Photoshop is the only program I use that relies on having a good gfx card, and this one suits me fine.

Common misconception, gaming graphics cards do nothing for photo shop. Those type of applications are processor intensive and RAM intensive and don't use any gaming instruction sets to improve performance. There are some work station cards that are designed for this, the Nvidia Quadro for example, but even then it is mostly beneficial when running 3D rendering apps, not photoshop.

I don't think pirated software will be an issue for me.. I have the option to use cracked versions of Vista, but I'm choosing to use a valid license.. if that says anything lol

I guess I'm just thinking that Vista is a resource hog.. takes about 10 seconds to fully load, sometimes eats up 500MB+ of RAM @ idle, etc.. and with XP, I never had any of that.. my old CeleronD w./ 768MB of RAM and no external gfx card would load up in about 7-8 seconds, from the time I hit the power button on the PC.. and I always had resources to spare..

I just want to get the most out of the hardware I have, since I won't be upgrading anytime soon.

You just answered your own question about upgrading to Vista.

The 2 biggest factors are;

1.) If I continue using Vista, it's either re-install in 1.5 months - or buy a valid license ($180)

2.) Will XP run smoother and free up more resources than Vista?

-mak



PS:


I'm not so sure it's a good idea to speak like that around here.. you're liable to get IP banned by the Piracy Police, lol.

Again, I think you already know the answer if it is conformation you are looking for, then yes, XP will run lots smoother on that hardware.

 

[Michael]

I have on-board nVidia Quadro chipset, and there is a noticeable difference between my on-board video and my 7600GT.. I played with the idea of not using my 7600GT since I don't use my PC for gaming, and I went through removing and replacing it many times before deciding the graphics weren't as sharp without the card..

Vista runs fine on my current setup.. aside from the 10+ second loading time and various other very minor issues (which most people most likely incur, like unstable drivers for products built for XP or earlier).. what I'm asking is if there will be a noticeable increase in performance by going back to XP. ..something that would make it worth while to go back.

I didn't answer my own question, or I wouldn't have replied.. thank you for your input, but please allow others to tune in so I can get a general consensus of what the public believes regarding this issue.

-mak

 

[tlarkin]

I was referring to a Quadro like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133189

They are high end work station cards, meant for number crunching not for gaming, there is a lot of difference between them.

My main point was as performance goes, the only thing Vista will offer you over XP Professional is DX 10 support. Even in that regard its not a performance increase because you will get less frames per a second, but it will look prettier.

 

[Michael]

I was referring to a Quadro like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133189

They are high end work station cards, meant for number crunching not for gaming, there is a lot of difference between them.

My main point was as performance goes, the only thing Vista will offer you over XP Professional is DX 10 support. Even in that regard its not a performance increase because you will get less frames per a second, but it will look prettier.

I understood what you were referring to before, I wasn't comparing my motherboard to an actual Quadro card, I was telling you that between my on-board video and my 7600GT there was a noticeable difference, which is why I have the 7600GT installed.

I know it seems like you're answer should resolve this.. but it doesn't.. because you're looking at it like I want to know if Vista has an advantage over XP, when I want to know if XP has an advantage over Vista, when it comes to performance. You're simply answering it backwards, in a way that doesn't help me.

So far, I'm convinced that it's not worth it to switch back to XP, because Vista runs fine as is.. but if someone could give me a really good reason to not blow $180 on another Vista license (I already own a Basic license, for my wife's computer) then I'd seriously consider it.

-mak

 

[tlarkin]

No there is no performance gain they will perform on average the same. With XP you won't have the compatibility issues you do with Vista, and it will save you $180 to spend on something else.

Also, don't bother getting the ultimate edition if you go with vista, just get Home Premium, it will suffice for your needs.

That is what I am saying, there is no real performance gain, and it taxes your hardware more. So potentially it could decrease your performance once you put a heavy load on it.

It is up to you, and I could care less what you do with your system.