Windows 7 - Understanding Your Windows Experience Index Score

Your computer’s base score is determined by the lowest subscore. The base score can help you determine the type of software programs you can run on the computer. The base score also determines the level of performance Windows 7 delivers. Certain operating system features will work only when your computer meets the minimum base score requirements, and the use of certain other features, such as high display resolutions with Aero Glass or themes on multiple displays, will have a severe impact on your computer’s performance.

Whether or not you use Aero is important. The Aero interface provides enhanced features including:
• Animated window closing and opening
• Live previews
• Smoother window dragging
• Transparent window frames

To use Aero, your computer’s graphics card must support the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) and DirectX 9.0 or later. WDDM 1.0 and DirectX 9.0 were both released around the same time as Windows Vista. Both have been updated for Windows 7. Windows 7 display drivers that support WDDM 1.1 or later offer improved performance while also reducing the per-window memory usage by up to 50 percent. WDDM 1.1 supports DirectX 11. DirectX 11 offers enhancements and performance improvements over earlier versions.

Most current computers will have a base score of between three and five. The Windows Experience Index is designed to scale as computer technology advances. Thus, current computers have top scores in the 6s and 7s, and tomorrow’s computers may have top scores in the 9s and 10s.

If you want to improve your computer’s base score, you can upgrade the hardware component responsible for the low score (most laptop computers cannot be upgraded in this way, however). For example, if gaming graphics is your lowest score, you could upgrade your graphics card to improve your rating. Don’t do this, however, without first consulting the performance details to determine exactly how the component is configured currently.


Understanding your computer’s Windows Experience Index score
1.0 to 1.9
Degraded user experience
You can use the computer for general computing, word processing, and music playback. The computer probably isn’t suited for more advanced tasks, such as gaming or multimedia. The user experience will be severely limited.

2.0 to 2.9
Reduced user experience
You can use the computer for general computing, business applications, basic gaming, and basic multimedia. The computer probably isn’t suited for more advanced tasks, such as multiplayer or 3D gaming and advanced multimedia. The user experience will be limited.

3.0 to 3.9
Basic user experience
You can use the computer for general computing, advanced business applications, expanded gaming, and expanded multimedia. The computer probably isn’t suited for advanced gaming, such as multiplayer 3D gaming, or advanced multimedia, such as recording HDTV and playing HD video.

4.0 to 4.9
Full user experience
You can use the computer for advanced computing, advanced business applications, advanced gaming, and advanced multimedia. The computer can use all the new features of Windows 7 with full functionality. Aero Glass will display higher resolutions while achieving good performance, and using themes on multiple monitors shouldn’t affect performance.

5.0 to 5.9
Superior user experience
You can use the computer for the most demanding tasks, including those that are both graphics-intensive and processor-intensive. The computer can use all the features of Windows 7 with full functionality. Aero Glass will display higher resolutions while achieving good performance, and using themes on multiple monitors shouldn’t impact performance.

6.0 to 6.9
Outstanding gaming and graphics experience
You can use the computer for 3D graphics and 3D applications, including those that are both graphics-intensive and processor-intensive. The computer should deliver an outstanding gaming experience and good frame rates for video playback at 1,280 × 1,024.

7.0 to 7.9
Excellent gaming and graphics experience
You can use the computer for 3D graphics and 3D applications, including those that are both highly graphics-intensive and highly processor-intensive. The computer should deliver an excellent gaming experience and excellent frame rates for video playback at high screen resolutions.

Source of Information : OReilly Windows 7 The Definitive Guide (10-2009) (ATTiCA)