Windows Experience Index

The Windows Experience Index is the first stop for anyone who wants to increase the speed of their computer. This is a rating system that measures the performance of its various parts: processor, memory, graphics capabilities and hard disk. The Windows XP performance index is designed to help you determine what actions you need to take to speed up your PC.

To open the window of this rating system, open the "Start" menu, go to "Control Panel" and select "System and Security". In the System category, click Check Windows Performance Index. Your computer will most likely need a minute or two to evaluate the system and present the results.

The Windows performance index provides two sets of numbers: a total score and five components (processor, RAM, graphics, graphics for games, the main hard disk). The overall score, contrary to what you might think, is not the average performance of the components. This is the minimum performance potential of your computer, i.e. The smallest score of five is taken. If your overall score is up to 2.0, then your computer has barely enough resources to run Windows 7. Values 3.0 are enough to do the basic work and launch the desktop for Windows Aero, but not enough to play high-end games, edit Video and perform other intensive work. The score range of 4.0 - 5.0 is good enough for multitasking and performing complex jobs. All accounts 6.0 or higher allow you to perform any work using a computer.

The overall performance index is a good indicator of how the computer will work as a whole, but this is somewhat misleading. For example, the basic evaluation of your PC is 4.8, but this is due to the fact that it does not have a high-end video game card. This is quite enough for those who do not play modern, demanding graphics, games. On the contrary, other parameters can be much higher.

Here is a brief description of these categories and possible improvements for each:

Processor: The faster it can perform calculations, the better. You can update the computer's processor, but this is not recommended. Firstly, it is not so easy to do independently and not cheap, and secondly, it can have unforeseen consequences. A true professional will not change the processor.

RAM (RAM): for the Windows 7 operating system, a minimum of 2 GB of RAM is recommended. This is the simplest and cheapest upgrade. If installed 1-2 GB, for a significant acceleration of the system can go to 4 GB or higher. RAM is a bit small and easy to install by yourself.

Graphics: Windows here distinguishes two categories: the performance of Windows Aero and game graphics. Games and 3D graphics are much more extreme than necessary for the average user, so if you are engaged in high-quality (that is professional level) video editing, work with CAD systems, play serious games such as EverQuest, Aero performance is more important for you. This is the second simple update. There are a huge number of video cards available in a variety of price ranges and performance; Their installation is simple, although, of course, it takes a little longer than installing RAM.

Primary hard disk: The hard disk performance index shows how quickly it moves data (not an indication of how large its volume is). Again, the faster, the better, especially since hard drives are usually a slow component. They can be replaced, but it's not so easy to accomplish, as, for example, to replace the RAM or video card. Includes work with jumpers, replacement of drive letters, etc., in general, the process is not for the faint-hearted. Installing a new hard drive as the primary also means reinstalling the operating system, applications and data, so it takes quite some time.

If the Windows 7 performance index is low in three to four components, then you should probably consider buying a new computer. In the end, it will not cost much more, and you will get a PC with all the latest technologies.