What is 'computer performance evaluation'?

If among car owners it is accepted to discuss fuel consumption, the maximum speed of the vehicle, the speed of acceleration, it is equally interesting to listen to users of personal computers that have performed computer performance testing. Such testing is an effective opportunity not only to compare who has a better and faster computer, but also to choose the most productive model when buying. Before we consider in detail how the computer performance is evaluated , we note that this function is indicative, and its results are influenced by many factors. For example, the final values to a great extent (in fact, decisive) affect the BIOS settings, the presence of overclocking components, the version of installed drivers, even the service pack number (SP) of the operating system.

How can you compare the performance of two computers? For this, there are special test programs that load components with template calculations. As a result, a certain numerical value is given, on the basis of which one can judge the performance of a particular component. For example, to test the RAM, CPU and hard drive, you can use the SiSoft Sandra application. But to evaluate the speed of the video card allows the program 3D Mark. They give fairly accurate results, but, unfortunately, not everyone has it. Microsoft, feeling the need for a universal test tool, has implemented such a software solution in its operating systems Vista and Windows 7. Actually, it's called - "evaluation of computer performance." Although the accuracy of this test is inferior to the specialized one, nevertheless, many people use it successfully. The reason is obvious - such an evaluation of the computer is always "at hand".

To run the test is very simple: right-click the "My Computer" properties. In the window that appears, you see an active link - "Windows Performance Index", and a number of numbers. This is the performance rating of your computer. It is recommended, nevertheless, to test again by clicking on the link. The computer performance is evaluated as follows: click on the link, select "Repeat rating" in the window and wait. Important: The computer does not need to be loaded with work. No movies, music, the Internet, etc. The main internal components are tested, opposite to which values of the rating appear in the list. The smallest value is 1.0, and the largest is 7.9. Accordingly, it is easy to determine which component requires replacement. The higher the score, the more comfortable working with the computer. The final result is equated to the minimum. It is impossible to say what an evaluation of computer performance should be, because it depends on the range of tasks being solved. For example, if the computer is used as a replacement for a typewriter, then even 1.0 can suffice with interest (under the condition that most graphics capabilities are disabled), but for fans to shoot an incautious monster in the game, the minimum score should not be less than 5.5.

Although this built-in test is quite limited, sometimes laptop manufacturers give its values for each model implemented. In part, this allows roughly, but quickly, to determine the class of the computer - office, home versatile or gamer version.

Again, note that the primary test is performed automatically when the operating system is installed before installing the chipset drivers, controllers and video card. Therefore, often displayed scores do not correspond to the actual ones and to get a real value it is necessary to perform the repeated testing independently.