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Windows 7 vs. Vista Graphics Smackdown

extremetech.com — Nvidia and ATI duke it out to see who offers better performance in Vista and in Windows 7.

Who dugg this? Made popular Mar 19, 2009

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  • generaleet, on 03/19/2009, -5/+59Both of your cops?
  • Azerael, on 03/19/2009, -3/+54Both of his cops.
  • magamiako, on 03/19/2009, -2/+37You know, you have to change to a newer OS at some point. You cannot expect them to work miracles into system performance. You can't expect them to work 10-20% performance gains from an OS perspective in your latest games and applications. You're always going to have to upgrade hardware to have those kinds of jumps.

    There's no reason not to use Windows Vista (and when 7 goes release build, I will say Windows 7--for now, 7 is just a beta no matter how stable it is -- 7 Beta tester, running 7057 x64). The security improvements, the improvements in overall general use of your PC are light years ahead of what Windows XP provides.

    So you trade of a couple of frames per second in <insert favorite game here>, there's just no reason not to use it.

    The problem I have though isn't so much your choice to use or not use XP, Vista, or 7. The problem I have is when some people feel the need to crusade against the operating system and insist that everyone else should not use it also. Sure, you yourself might be "too smart" for UAC, you might load Firefox and run as a standard user and run your browsers in a virtual machine. But the reality is that not everyone is like you. And recommending that they not use the new OS is a detriment to the internet as a whole.

    Windows Defender has proven to be a rather reliable and decent anti-malware tool that you obtain for free. And while it exists for Windows XP, it is truly behind the scenes in Windows Vista and 7. Having access to running at a lower process priority by default.

    Combine that with the firewall improvements, Internet Explorer running in a low integrity mode (no write access to HKCU/HKLM in the registry) and you get a rather more secure operating system than you used to have. At the very least, the system won't be as owned as it used to be. And furthermore, even Chrome makes use of this low process integrity mode. Firefox still has yet to make itself a low priority process. Though you can force it to run that way, it will likely break things.

    All in all, Microsoft has done a good job improving their operating systems. Windows 7 takes usability to new heights and I've actually been getting much better use out of my wide screen LCD than what I did with Vista.
  • ldbjr, on 03/19/2009, -3/+27Both of his Robo-cops
  • roxgod666, on 03/19/2009, -4/+26Thanks for sharing your abnormal opinion due to the fact that you have a difficulty adapting to anything new. I really can't find one reason of how xp can even compare to windows 7 anymore. The benchmarks for the beta of 7 already beat XP and Vista. Windows 7 manages your ram better and takes better advantage of the cores than xp. Start search is way better than the classic menu, the new superbar is a lot more useful than the old taskbar. New features like aero peek is integrated with alt+tab and the taskbar. Jumplists make your life a hell of a lot easier. Drivers, software and hardware support is no longer a problem. Aero looks a lot better than whatever fisher price theme xp used. Networking is improved and you can now set up a homegroup. Security is improved with data encryption, customizable UAC, and a better firewall.
    Windows explorer is more organized with the addition of Libraries. There are the little things like the new keyboard shortcuts that let you launch an app with the windows key + # of app on the taskbar. And a lot more is now customizable including the logon screen, features, and control panel layout.
    So...why exactly do you prefer it?
  • LordSkywalker, on 03/19/2009, -0/+22I thought Vista was alright. But Windows 7 just seems like what it was meant to be. It looks cleaner, and functionality and ease of use seems better. Hopefully they can keep it running faster than Vista.
  • itc518, on 03/18/2009, -6/+27I am looking forward to Windows 7, I currently run Vista on both of my cops though and I have not really had many problems. I did have to tweak the ***** out of it but it has worked well for me.
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -7/+23But can they run Pong? Didn't think so..
  • midbc, on 03/19/2009, -0/+12the ED-209 has a better monitor
  • ydobonobody, on 03/19/2009, -1/+12I am using Windows 7 on 2/5 of my computers and I have to say I like it a lot. I even switched from Ubuntu on my main work laptop to Windows 7. Seems fast, stable, and intuitive.
  • mostmef06, on 03/19/2009, -0/+9I've been running windows 7 for a while and am now on the newest release... frames per second improvement is not noticeable on a c2d e6750, 4gb, w/ an 8800gt. However, the OS is vastly superior in other areas, I just don't think the gaming improvements will be that steep compared with the information architecture / usability / UI / memory usage / security improvements that they've really been concentrating on for the new OS.
  • sathias, on 03/19/2009, -5/+14After SP1 for Vista, there is very little difference between XP and Vista as well.
  • BungDiddy, on 03/19/2009, -1/+10the point is that he can't use his printer in Vista. regardless of whose fault it is, nobody wants to be forced to buy a new printer they don't need.
  • NathanCH, on 03/19/2009, -3/+12Windows 7 performed better on some tests and worse on others, pretty much evens out. Not that surprising, you can't really expect an operating system to improve the performance of games by a noticeable margin.
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -3/+11So another article again tells us that Windows 7 is pretty much the same for gaming... I GET IT ALREADY!!!
  • alittleroy101, on 03/19/2009, -1/+8Dead or alive, you're coming with me!
  • jrm125, on 03/19/2009, -4/+11Wow...a beta is at least equal to an OS on its first service pack.

    I love windows 7...can't wait to officially upgrade.
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -0/+7I think I love you. I'm a vista fan though. I'm not sure how much more improvement I need when I'm running like 150+fps for such games as tf2, mirror's edge, and l4d.
    I'll go with windows 7 around the 1st service pack. that's what I generally do. I don't have an issue with any of Windows OS's, (save for ME. but no one seriously used ME!!)

    anyways, well thought out point you made. Fanboys, take that!
  • magamiako, on 03/19/2009, -0/+7Quite the contrary, you can. Whether or not you have a "stereo mix" option is dependent on the driver you have installed.

    While the default Windows 7 drivers do not allow me use the "stereo mix" option, the Realtek HD audio drivers from their website in fact does.

    I've been using stereo mix for a long time, and use it on multitudes of applications.

    The "DRM" in Windows Vista/7 is only activated when the content asks for it to be activated, in this case, blu-ray.

    Even then, you can record the audio just fine even if you output it somewhere or to another device.
  • bearcat8543, on 03/19/2009, -0/+7xp runs dx10? thats funny, i didnt think it did....
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -1/+7Holy ***** whats with the windows 7 humping? I have the latest beta running side by side with vista. What the ***** is the big deal? It's just vista with a slightly different user interface, holy *****. Mind boggling.

  • ncalishome, on 03/19/2009, -3/+9"So where exactly are we at today, and how far do these two graphics giants have to go to make Windows 7 a better choice than Vista for gamers?"

    I hope all the way. I love Vista's stability (64bit runs like a champ for me, it just doesn't crash) but games don't run as well as they should. I for one welcome Windows 7. Going back to XP would just be unpleasant... there are many hidden gems in Vista that increase my work productivity, the fact that it doesn't crash being #1.
  • Vivifyer, on 03/19/2009, -0/+6Id like to see all these game tests compared to XP, just as another point of comparison.
  • BugMeNot2, on 03/19/2009, -3/+9This is build 7000 which is running debug code. The newer builds, such as build 7057, are even faster in games. 7057 is around 200-300 points faster in 3DMark Vantage over 7000.
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -2/+8Cute, you think MS owns Nvidia AND ati!
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -1/+6Dude, the version of XP I'm running now was brought fair and square.
  • Elranzer, on 03/19/2009, -0/+5XP doesn't crash either, unless there's a driver problem. Vista WILL crash, too, if there's a driver problem.
  • inactive, on 03/19/2009, -6/+11I dont know why, but it seems they only ran each game once per OS. They didnt average out multiple runs. These results are statistically insignificant and shouldnt be used for any reason whatsoever.

    But in the end what are you expecting when you run the same exact game on the same exact hardware, just a different version of the same OS?
  • toxicityj, on 03/19/2009, -0/+5I've been a big user of Vista since launch. Everyone knocked it and I didn't understand why because wtf it was better than XP from a user standpoint (for me anyway). But I've been using the windows 7 beta for about 2 weeks now ...and holy ***** I die everytime I use Vista. it's just...not my 7.
  • AReallyGoodName, on 03/19/2009, -1/+6You think people like XP more because the pirated version runs better than the free Windows 7 beta?
  • dagamer34, on 03/19/2009, -2/+6Newer hardware is less and less likely going to support Windows XP, especially when Windows 7 comes out. Supporting 3 different OSs with tech support isn't too cost effective, especially if Windows 7 is as good as testers make it out to be. I would guess that in a year after Windows 7 is released to the public, you're going to see hardware and software support for Windows XP dry up from 3rd party manufacturers.
  • modix, on 03/19/2009, -0/+4It's funny... I said that when I was trying out the beta, and people acting like I sprouted horns and was the Anti-christ. Maybe the new and shiny effect of 7 is wearing off and people are seeing it as the expensive service pack it is. I'm glad it's coming out, but I'm pissed it's just not a free SP for Vista.
  • HamstaMan, on 03/19/2009, -0/+4Try checking out xp vs vista benchmarks. Last monday we had a laboration in school were we tried running various benchmarks in vista vs xp. And guess what, xp always had the higher score.

    Now of course this is digg so I expect this comment to get buried like vista buried the idea that a newer operating system should naturally outperform the older one on the same hardware (Unless it actually contributed with something that was worth the loss in performance, ie not vista).
  • cyrix, on 03/19/2009, -0/+4Present Hall Pass.
  • SolidSnak, on 03/19/2009, -0/+4They were comparing the graphical performance differences between operating systems, not graphics cards.
  • twiztidsinz, on 03/19/2009, -3/+7There have already been people who say that 7 outperforms XP.
  • PhoenixReborn, on 03/19/2009, -0/+4Am I the only one that doesn't see how Windows 7 performs so much better? Most of those tests showed a wash or a very slight increase for Windows 7. I'll keep Vista, thanks. If I get a new computer I might get windows 7 for it but I see no reason to upgrade from Vista. In b4 "OMG UR RONG VISTA SUCKS!"
  • twiztidsinz, on 03/19/2009, -2/+5That's *****...
    It's very easy to get Vista working with a simple patch, and there's already some for 7.
  • ShrimpCrackers, on 03/19/2009, -1/+4Noticably on my netbook. For some odd reason on my HP Mini, Windows 7 just feels snappier, even with all the effects on. I don't know why, but it does.
  • KMartSheriff, on 03/19/2009, -2/+5Yeah, but it's in beta. Hell, the flipping video drivers are in beta too. All things considered, it's lookin pretty good. It can only go up from here.
  • enantiodromia, on 03/19/2009, -0/+3you're going to have to come up with a new line, because this is just not true anymore
  • enantiodromia, on 03/19/2009, -0/+3it sucks to have an old computer, yes. the rest of us aren't going to slow down for you however.
  • m3mn0n, on 03/19/2009, -1/+4Convincing arguement.

    I don't hate Windows 7 by the way. I run it daily on my MacBook, but c'mon, call it like it is.
  • Kazbaeden, on 03/19/2009, -0/+3The difference is Longhorn was pre-beta and 7057 is basically RC.
  • Kazbaeden, on 03/19/2009, -0/+3Pepsi and Coke are perfect substitutes. When I order a Pepsi at a restaurant and they tell me they only have coke, I don't give a damn; I drink it anyway. How can you not compare them?
  • Jektal, on 03/19/2009, -0/+3Non-Apple hardware? Games support? Corporate support?
  • orph3us, on 03/19/2009, -1/+4microsoft understands the power of digg.
  • ehaugan, on 03/19/2009, -1/+4Funny, mine is WAAAAAY slower than my XP build and im running on Quad core 4gb ram!
  • chaos7, on 03/19/2009, -0/+2the best thing about vista is how it doesn't crash. if a program ever messes up, you can pretty much always get into task manager to close it out and go back to normal. with xp it would sometimes be unstable after program crashes.
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