[Eye Pie Rate]

How does Windows 7 beta 1 compare to Vista and XP in terms of performance? That’s a question that’s been hitting my inbox regularly over the past few weeks. Let’s see if we can’t answer it!

Important note: Before I go any further I feel I need to make a point, and make it clear. The build I’m testing of Windows 7 (build 6.1.7000.0.081212-1400) is a beta build, and as a rule beta builds are usually more geared towards stability than performance. That said, the performance of this build should give us a clue as to how the OS is coming along.

Rather than publish a series of benchmark results for the three operating systems (something which Microsoft frowns upon for beta builds, not to mention the fact that the final numbers only really matter for the release candidate and RTM builds), I’ve decided to put Windows 7, Vista and XP head-to-head in a series of real-world tests to find out which OS comes out top.

The tests

There are 23 tests in all, most of which are self explanatory:

1) Install OS - Time it takes to install the OS

2) Boot up - Average boot time to usable desktop

3) Shut down - Average shut down time

4) Move 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another

5) Move 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another

6) Network transfer 100MB files - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device

7) Network transfer 2.5GB files - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device

8) Move 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file

9) Move 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from one hard drive to another while ripping DVD to .ISO file

10) Network transfer 100MB files under load - Move 100MB of JPEG files from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file

11) Network transfer 2.5GB files under load - Move 2.5GB of mixed size files (ranging from 1MB to 100MB) from test machine to NAS device while ripping DVD to .ISO file

12) Compress 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression

13) Compress 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression

14) Extract 100MB files - Using built-in ZIP compression

15) Extract 1GB files - Using built-in ZIP compression

16) Install Office 2007 - Ultimate version, from DVD

17) Open 10 page Word doc - Text only

18) Open 100 page Word doc - Text and images only

19) Open simple Excel doc - Basic formatting

20) Open complex Excel doc - Including formula and charts

21) Burn DVD - Win 7 beta 1 .ISO to disc using CDBurnerXP

22) Open 10 page PDF - Text only, using latest Adobe Reader 8

23) Open 100 page PDF - Text and images, using latest Adobe Reader 8

These series of tests will pitch Windows 7 build 7000 32-bit against Windows Vista SP1 32-bit and Windows XP SP3 32-bit. The scoring for each of the tests is simple. The winning OS scores 1, the runner up 2 and the loser scores a 3. The scores are added up and the OS with the lowest score at the end wins.

The test systems

I’ve used two desktop systems as the test machines:

1) An AMD Phenom 9700 2.4GHz system fitted with an ATI Radeon 3850 and 4GB of RAM
2) An Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 2.2GHz fitted with an NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS and 1GB of RAM

The results

Here are the results of the tests for the two systems:

System 1


System 2


Conclusion

The bottom line is that the more I use Windows 7 the more I like it. Sure, we’re looking at a beta build here and not the final code, so things could change between now and release (although realistically final code ends up being faster than beta code). Also I still have some nagging issues relating to the interface, and some concerns that the UAC changes will break applications and other code, especially installers, but overall Windows 7 beta 1 is a robust, solid bit of code.

Sure, Windows 7 is not XP, and never will be (thankfully). And if you’re put off by things such as activation and DRM, then Windows isn’t the OS for you (good news is there are others to choose from). But if you’re looking for a solid OS then Windows 7 seems ready to deliver just that - a fast, reliable, relatively easy to use platform for your hardware and software.

Source Here

This post has been edited by Eye Pie Rate: 02 January 2009 - 06:19 PM

[Blake Pender]

Good Review
I use Windows 7 as my main OS from 6801 due to it being so good

Hope Microsoft keeps it up

[Frylock86]

Blake Pender, on Jan 2 2009, 05:06 PM, said:

Good Review
I use Windows 7 as my main OS from 6801 due to it being so good

Hope Microsoft keeps it up

You're not going to use the Beta once its release in the next few days?

[kyosan]

Nice

[Eye Pie Rate]

Frylock86, on Jan 2 2009, 05:37 PM, said:

Blake Pender, on Jan 2 2009, 05:06 PM, said:

Good Review
I use Windows 7 as my main OS from 6801 due to it being so good

Hope Microsoft keeps it up

You're not going to use the Beta once its release in the next few days?

He means that Windows 7 is his Main OS and he upgrades everyone a good build is leaked.
Why on earth is anyone waiting for the Beta?
Just get it now and don't waste your time!

[fediaFedia]

Win7 works really fast for me, better than XP

[Soduka]

This chart easily shows how Vista got a bad rap, XP beats it on the low(er) end PCs which is the majority of the market.


However, Windows 7 is looking to finally end XP's "Reign of Supremacy" once and for all.

This post has been edited by Soduka: 02 January 2009 - 06:10 PM

[Eye Pie Rate]

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram
And on a 2 Gig RAM machine, Vista rapes XP.

[pm_41]

Eye Pie Rate, on Jan 2 2009, 10:16 AM, said:

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram

DEAD WRONG. Most computers I've seen have anywhere from 256 MB to 1.5 GB RAM. It's only the newer models that have that much memory.

[M!W]

Eye Pie Rate, on Jan 2 2009, 06:16 PM, said:

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram
And on a 2 Gig RAM machine, Vista rapes XP.

the majority of computers don't even have 1 GB Ram and on those Vista sucks but on computers with 2 GB or more I'm shure it's faster.

[binzoo]

winlover_41, on Jan 2 2009, 07:05 PM, said:

Eye Pie Rate, on Jan 2 2009, 10:16 AM, said:

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram

DEAD WRONG. Most computers I've seen have anywhere from 256 MB to 1.5 GB RAM. It's only the newer models that have that much memory.

Even low end computers sold in the UK have 2GB of ram. I don't even see 256 or 512 ram anymore, let alone a place to buy it.

This post has been edited by binzoo: 02 January 2009 - 07:12 PM

[Drk]

binzoo, on Jan 2 2009, 02:12 PM, said:

winlover_41, on Jan 2 2009, 07:05 PM, said:

Eye Pie Rate, on Jan 2 2009, 10:16 AM, said:

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram

DEAD WRONG. Most computers I've seen have anywhere from 256 MB to 1.5 GB RAM. It's only the newer models that have that much memory.

Even low end computers sold in the UK have 2GB of ram. I don't even see 256 or 512 ram anymore, let alone a place to buy it.

I bought 4 gigs in my first dell laptop like 5 years ago and haven't had less since. 2gb is probably going to be average for any new computer installing windows 7.

[InlineSkate]

Drk, on Jan 2 2009, 02:55 PM, said:

binzoo, on Jan 2 2009, 02:12 PM, said:

winlover_41, on Jan 2 2009, 07:05 PM, said:

Eye Pie Rate, on Jan 2 2009, 10:16 AM, said:

The majority of computers have at least 2 Gig Ram

DEAD WRONG. Most computers I've seen have anywhere from 256 MB to 1.5 GB RAM. It's only the newer models that have that much memory.

Even low end computers sold in the UK have 2GB of ram. I don't even see 256 or 512 ram anymore, let alone a place to buy it.

I bought 4 gigs in my first dell laptop like 5 years ago and haven't had less since. 2gb is probably going to be average for any new computer installing windows 7.

Amount of ram in computers will never decrease manufacturers will never put less ram in there machines then they used for the previous os they make more money that way

[PimpPharaoh]

i'm still waiting for the official release to download windows 7 xD

[Edgar J.]

fediaFedia, on Jan 2 2009, 06:04 PM, said:

Win7 works really fast for me, better than XP

XP runs better than V7 & Vista on my PC.

My PC Specs:
Pentium 4
Radeon 7000 Series
512MB RAM
156GB Seagate