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August 3rd, 2009

Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP

Posted by Andy Smith @ 2:15 am

Categories: Microsoft, Windows 7, Windows Vista

Tags: Performance, Microsoft Windows XP, Operating System, Microsoft Windows Vista, SuperFetch, Mobile Platform, Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Operating Systems

Now that the final version of Windows 7 has been released to manufacturing, it’s time to find out how much of an improvement or not it will make over its predecessors, Windows XP and Windows Vista. Kai Schmerer of ZDNet Germany put all three operating systems under the microscope and here’s what he discovered:

Windows Vista’s less than stellar reputation and poor uptake are due in large part to the heavy demands it makes on system hardware. When Vista appeared in the autumn of 2006, PCs and notebooks were less powerful than today’s machines. But even with modern hardware, anyone using a Vista-based system soon senses that this is an operating system suffering from the software equivalent of having the handbrake left on.

Microsoft cannot afford a repetition with Windows 7, and so has optimized all of the OS’s major system components. From startup to login, everything in Windows 7 is faster.

Read also: Special Report Windows 7 at the finish line

Ed Bott: Windows 7 first look

Microsoft has now finalized Windows 7 and announced its Release To Manufacturing (RTM). Build 7600.1685 has been chosen for the RTM, and ZDNet used this version test the performance of Windows 7 against Vista and XP on various platforms.

Test platforms

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 268 Talkback(s)
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP
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Posted by: frew4 Posted on: 09/28/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Why are results for XP missing from multimedia tests?  ravi16aug@... | 08/03/09
Well...  ShadowGIATL | 08/03/09
XP SP3 Released April 2008  cpt_slog@... | 08/03/09
XP SP3 didn't change the underlying OS  notsofast | 08/03/09
Actually  D2 Ultima | 08/03/09
um, "actually",...  jeh1 | 08/03/09
you're wrong  D2 Ultima | 08/03/09
@ D2 Ultima: Put the crack pipe down.. Please..  Wolfie2K3 | 08/03/09
@wolfie2K3  D2 Ultima | 08/03/09
@D2  ShadowGIATL | 08/04/09
@Shadow  D2 Ultima | 08/04/09
@D2 Can you show us where MS said this?  MissingMatter | 08/04/09
@Missing Matter  D2 Ultima | 08/04/09
@D2 - Sorry, but yes, you ARE going mad! wink  de-void | 08/04/09
@D2Ultima: Yes, Windows 7 has a command line. Here's where to find it  jeh1 | 08/04/09
Very good points...  ShadowGIATL | 08/04/09
Stop beating up on the poor kid happy  echtogammut | 08/04/09
So...  D2 Ultima | 08/04/09
Dos emulator in Win7 x64, I wish!  Pyrotech_z | 09/07/09
Except that with OSX...  arminw | 08/06/09
And...  ShadowGIATL | 08/06/09
Too bad  gnesterenko | 08/11/09
HD video playback in Win7 doesn't compare  Shinsengumi | 08/17/09
HD video playback in Win7 doesn't compare  orionds | 09/07/09
DX 10 For Gamers  mc_rog46_sd1@... | 08/08/09
Because it has 90% market share...  cosuna | 08/03/09
Realy  jdbukis@... | 08/03/09
So...  UAC nanny screen | 08/03/09
Well...  ShadowGIATL | 08/03/09
Runs good on mine as well  NStalnecker | 08/03/09
Pretty Clear  sk.dunnage@... | 08/03/09
Speaking of missing comparsions....  douglasjohnledet@... | 08/03/09
Well if your running hardware that old...  ShadowGIATL | 08/03/09
huh?  TedKraan | 09/07/09
In your case  D2 Ultima | 08/03/09
You don't have to stick to Windows!!  tekybeky1 | 08/03/09
welll  D2 Ultima | 08/04/09
Ah, memories, how so many of us made the break!  daboochmeister | 08/10/09
true  gnesterenko | 08/11/09
Windows is not the only game in town ...  orionds | 09/07/09
Cripple?  TedKraan | 09/07/09
It's a good thing  NStalnecker | 08/03/09
ummm  D2 Ultima | 08/03/09
You can do it  NStalnecker | 08/04/09
OLD ONES  D2 Ultima | 08/04/09
@D2  NStalnecker | 08/04/09
Well I did...  morrig | 09/24/09
I think the upgrade questioned was not asked of you? (nt)  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Absolutely right ...  orionds | 09/07/09
Agree  De Nada | 08/04/09
More to the point, how could the reviewers NOT do their homework!  de-void | 08/04/09
XP IS FASTER than Win 7 ...  orionds | 09/07/09
... because XP will embarrass Win 7  orionds | 09/07/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  znetlol | 08/03/09
Most Dinosaurs do. Evolve dude! NT  AboveAverageJoe | 08/03/09
Because Newer is Always Better!  TedKraan | 09/07/09
Nothing worng with Vista  Randalllind | 08/03/09
Vista SP2 is a worthwhile upgrade  gypkap@... | 08/03/09
Nothing Wrong With Vista??????  wwgorman | 08/03/09
Examples  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Examples  wwgorman | 08/03/09
Stanford Graphics?  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Standford Graphics Works  wwgorman | 08/04/09
Thats Good  bobiroc | 08/04/09
Lotus Label Program  wwgorman | 08/04/09
Nothing wrong with my Vista...  BitSmacker | 08/03/09
Nut Behind the Wheel  wwgorman | 08/03/09
You're the one who doesn't know what he/she is doing.  tekybeky1 | 08/04/09
Re: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  bb_apptix | 08/04/09
Nothing Wrong  chromeronin | 08/04/09
Yes, Nothing wrong with vista!  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Vista Works Fine  cshupe@... | 08/04/09
I've enjoyed my time with Vista too, but ... oh boy Win7 is a blast!  de-void | 08/04/09
Vista compared to 7. Unless you need the latest thing..  PatrynXX | 08/03/09
odd  jdbukis@... | 08/03/09
Well you seem to be the exception  bobiroc | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  ghot@... | 08/03/09
That's not what the benchmarks posted by NeoGeneration above say  MissingMatter | 08/03/09
Care to back that up with facts?  de-void | 08/04/09
startup-time and shutdown-time tests are flawed  directory | 08/03/09
Close, but no cigar!  de-void | 08/04/09
Slightly faster, yes, worth the price, ???  chrome_slinky@... | 08/03/09
Your opinion  bobiroc | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  ps.zdnet@... | 08/03/09
The low end laptop is a Core Solo 1.4Gghz, not Duo.  NeoGeneration | 08/03/09
Low power cpu  Hate Malware | 08/06/09
Low End computers  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Agreed  lehnerus2000 | 08/04/09
So all 7 has to offer is a few seconds faster speed?  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 08/03/09
Obviously you have never used it  bobiroc | 08/03/09
I second compatibility  MissingMatter | 08/03/09
Add Solid Work 2004 and Maya 2007 to the list.  NeoGeneration | 08/03/09
Still no compelling case to buy 7.  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 08/03/09
Correct  MissingMatter | 08/03/09
Then Don't  bobiroc | 08/03/09
THEN, DONT Buy! (nt)  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Oh my - do they get irritated!  CounterEthicsCommissioner-23034636492738337469105860790963 | 08/05/09
Opinions...  ShadowGIATL | 08/06/09
Um....  kaizoman | 08/06/09
Freedom  kaizoman | 08/06/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  ramnet@... | 08/03/09
You are an IT director?  kvkalidindi | 08/03/09
Actually  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Let's see...  windozefreak | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  ramnet@... | 08/03/09
I tested both.  magallanes | 08/03/09
XP is still the best...  MarkyGoldstein | 08/03/09
You've not used Windows 7 obviously...  Heatlesssun | 08/03/09
Vista 7 and subjective 'opinions'  paladin2 | 08/11/09
Not for me  terjeb@... | 08/03/09
Sure is  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Is there any audio/video Vista-compatible app without issues with Vista?  Just True | 08/03/09
What the heck  bobiroc | 08/03/09
OK, let's make it simple and start from what is known...  Just True | 08/03/09
I've said that all along  UAC nanny screen | 08/03/09
Free competition in the meaning of the "chosens" ...  Just True | 08/05/09
The industry has 2 choices: stick to unsupported XP or to Linux/BeOS heirs  Just True | 08/03/09
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA  Stan57 | 08/04/09
Aren't you laughing because you never try your head for thinking? (NT)  Just True | 08/05/09
Funny you mention BeOS  TedKraan | 09/07/09
Thanks for the good laugh  MissingMatter | 08/04/09
Why didn't you check their "chosen" identity? The truth phobia? (NT)  Just True | 08/05/09
You need to stop smoking that crap...  windozefreak | 08/04/09
When people want to know the truth -they do not deny things only because..  Just True | 08/05/09
uhh  Azathothh | 08/08/09
When MS is spying 24/7 - this is not a crime, but for anyone else - is (NT)  Just True | 08/09/09
Agree!  sphar@... | 08/03/09
Try going to Hp talkback forum...  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Did you actually stop to think ...  de-void | 08/04/09
What kind of benchmark was that?  tbrien@... | 08/03/09
This will be FAR from the only benchmarks for Windows 7...  Heatlesssun | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  anogee | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  Loverock Davidson | 08/03/09
no way am I spending money on Win7  ca1ic0cat | 08/03/09
But this benchmark miss the UI performance.  magallanes | 08/03/09
Eh...  ShadowGIATL | 08/05/09
Good news!  Heatlesssun | 08/03/09
SP3 for XP-64bit  willw@... | 08/03/09
Andy, why does ZDNet persist in  mhenriday | 08/03/09
Yeah, and for most users, Windows in any form would be the winner  terjeb@... | 08/03/09
missed one comparison  wrcflier@... | 08/03/09
Hmmm, let's see... privacy  terjeb@... | 08/03/09
Please elaborate  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Going to extreme there...  ShadowGIATL | 08/05/09
re  crazyonerob | 08/03/09
Learn to:  de-void | 08/04/09
ROFL  TedKraan | 09/07/09
You use Photoshop to fix red eyes?  TedKraan | 09/07/09
Windows 7 IS RELEASED!! (Well almost!)  Heatlesssun | 08/03/09
Because thos OSes are no match for any flavor of windows (nt)  windozefreak | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  larry2617 | 08/03/09
Exactly! Need Real Benchmarks  mmp138 | 08/03/09
More XP comparissons please  Li1t | 08/03/09
I agree  fernande-zdnet | 08/03/09
All that is was and will be again...  NKX | 08/04/09
thanks for a GREAT talkback post  Rick S._z | 09/07/09
One more thing  fernande-zdnet | 08/03/09
I wouldn't upgrade  NStalnecker | 08/05/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  Tuggerofhearts | 08/03/09
Some help  dianecmiles@... | 08/03/09
Limited value of these benchmark results  Night_Watch53 | 08/03/09
This is critical  fernande-zdnet | 08/03/09
Current start up / shut down in the stone ages  Cocoflipper | 08/03/09
Indeed  fernande-zdnet | 08/03/09
Not everyone starts up every day  MissingMatter | 08/03/09
RE: Not everyone starts up every day  Cocoflipper | 08/04/09
There's a big difference  MissingMatter | 08/04/09
Dummies? I don't think so.  Night_Watch53 | 08/03/09
Amen!-- Too Funny! lol (nt)  windozefreak | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  strueb | 08/03/09
Exactly!!! my opinion, too  sjbinaz | 08/03/09
So that was the real reason for Vista...  cosuna | 08/03/09
64bit XP SP3?  Breetai | 08/03/09
Did I miss something  dianecmiles@... | 08/03/09
XP x64 SP3 does not exist  jlandheer | 08/04/09
XP x64 SP3 does not exist  dianecmiles@... | 08/04/09
Startup/shutdown less relevant  ProfQuill | 08/03/09
Startup/shutdown less relevant  dianecmiles@... | 08/03/09
Shutdown relevance  ProfQuill | 08/03/09
Shutdown relevance  dianecmiles@... | 08/04/09
And You Are Correct. But...  windozefreak | 08/04/09
so what all this boils down to...  druid627@... | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  trumanp@... | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  syfr | 08/03/09
Linux needs some work  ckl_88 | 08/03/09
So list some of the problems she ran into.  storm14k | 08/04/09
You are Correct. But I will...  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Windows 7  cybermotaz@... | 08/03/09
Fooled me once, shame on you. Fooled me twice, shame on me.  zdnet@... | 08/03/09
"Real" people say Win 7 is better...  ProfQuill | 08/03/09
What about malware startup time?  bbaston@... | 08/03/09
Seems comparable to mine...  ShadowGIATL | 08/03/09
Choice of hardware  pstanyer | 08/03/09
My computer is a year old...  ShadowGIATL | 08/03/09
Runs great on my 4 - 5 year old PC  bobiroc | 08/03/09
Why give up XP?  SisyphusatZDNet | 08/03/09
And that is your right  bobiroc | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  dianecmiles@... | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  dianecmiles@... | 08/03/09
Here is the thing...  richdave | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  vvbs@... | 08/03/09
Too bad the blogger failed to test real world  robertleeking@... | 08/03/09
Goes to show Vista was a dog  kraterz | 08/03/09
Because  NStalnecker | 08/03/09
Long Beta  JavaCoder718 | 08/03/09
Yeah  NStalnecker | 08/03/09
Perhaps more accurately, an RC...  Omnigrok | 08/06/09
And look what they had to show for it  UAC nanny screen | 08/03/09
And again...  ShadowGIATL | 08/04/09
And again...  UAC nanny screen | 08/05/09
You're mistaken...  ShadowGIATL | 08/05/09
No, I didn't notice that!  flboffin | 08/03/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  atari8bit@... | 08/03/09
Handbrake?  wright_is | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  chatch@... | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  stewymelb | 08/04/09
EPIC FAIL TESTING  anonymuos | 08/04/09
Calm down buddy...  ShadowGIATL | 08/04/09
Hmmmm..  TedKraan | 09/07/09
You forgot to mention that Ubuntu is faster than Win 7  whisperycat | 08/04/09
Thats how it is?  NStalnecker | 08/04/09
Totally wrong  whisperycat | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  NStalnecker  | 08/04/09
DTS has a tendancy to repost messages which were deleted  MissingMatter | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  MissingMatter  | 08/04/09
Very cute  MissingMatter | 08/04/09
I do apologize  NStalnecker | 08/04/09
No problem, NStalnecker  whisperycat | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.   NStalnecker | 08/04/09
He did not forget. The man will not lie for you. (nt)  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Don't forget to read about Windows pricing  whisperycat | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  NStalnecker  | 08/04/09
Re: Linux is for human beings  bb_apptix | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  MissingMatter  | 08/04/09
Nice try DTS  NStalnecker | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  MissingMatter  | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  MissingMatter  | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.   NStalnecker | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  bb_apptix | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  MissingMatter  | 08/04/09
Shoddy journalism  Alan Smithie | 08/04/09
Message has been deleted.  Loverock Davidson | 08/04/09
@Are You Kidding?  windozefreak | 08/04/09
Windows 7 wins over XP and Ubuntu.  Solid Jedi Knight | 08/04/09
Do what????  whisperycat | 08/05/09
You suggest that Win 7 is unstable...  ShadowGIATL | 08/05/09
Pay attention  whisperycat | 08/05/09
No OS is 100%  ShadowGIATL | 08/05/09
SSDs and SuperFetch  threedaysdwn | 08/04/09
Careful giving out your opinion...  ShadowGIATL | 08/04/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  salva10 | 08/04/09
Ofcourse Win 7 is better than XP  Aussie_Troll | 08/05/09
File Copy always slower on Vista  skris88@... | 08/05/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  brazz43 | 08/05/09
Vista didn't fail because it was slow and buggy.  HollywoodDog | 08/07/09
Old fashioned excuse  Gladiatorcn | 08/07/09
ZD NET WIN 7 PHOTO GALLERY REVIEW  reubenhuckaby@... | 08/07/09
Why pray tell are the 32 bit results not shown anywhere?  NetwareGuru | 08/07/09
Why pray tell are the 32 bit results not shown anywhere?  orionds | 09/07/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  banenis@... | 08/11/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  pip22@... | 08/17/09
This test needs some middle ground....  Spiritusindomit@... | 08/25/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  cvabooth@... | 08/26/09
Windows 7 x64 rocks!  Pyrotech_z | 09/07/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  rajeshbahl | 09/14/09
Win7 fail.  kraterz | 09/24/09
I cannot believe...  morrig | 09/24/09
RE: Benchmarks: Windows 7 RTM versus Vista, XP  frew4 | 09/28/09

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