Vista Windows Experience Score

[John]

I'm confused by the score Vista gave my pc.

I was previously using the integrated video on my motherboard. Vista
gave me an overall score of 3.7, with my graphics being the lowest
score. I went out and bought an upgraded video card, an NVIDIA card as
you can see below.

I refreshed my score, and Vista lowered my overall score to 3.5,
again, with the video being the lowest score. So, I was better off
with the integrated video than I am with a dedicated video card? I am
not sure I understand this. I know I didn't buy a top of the line
card, but I thought I was doing better than the onboard video I had.

Why is this?

Thanks!
_______________________________________________________
Component Details Subscore Base score
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz 4.9 3.5
Determined by lowest subscore

Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB 5.7
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 3.5
Gaming graphics 1023 MB Total available graphics memory 4.5
Primary hard disk 117GB Free (233GB Total) 5.4
Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium

System
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Manufacturer MSI
Model MS-7241
Total amount of system memory 2.00 GB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 2
64-bit capable Yes

Storage
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Total size of hard disk(s) 448 GB
Disk partition (C 117 GB Free (233 GB Total)
Media drive (D CD/DVD
Disk partition (E 74 GB Free (186 GB Total)
Media drive (J CD/DVDCD/DVD
Disk partition (L 12 GB Free (29 GB Total)

Graphics
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Display adapter type NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
Total available graphics memory 1023 MB
Dedicated graphics memory 256 MB
Dedicated system memory 0 MB
Shared system memory 767 MB
Display adapter driver version 7.15.11.6375
Primary monitor resolution 1024x768
DirectX version DirectX 9.0 or better

Network

 

[Charlie Tame]

I don't know "Why" but new drivers usually reduce my NVidia scores too,
and I am not alone.

I think perhaps it is because the "Test" takes certain functions of the
video system into account so if you improve the drivers to better use
some facilities of the card it slows down the performance of one of the
"Tested" functions. Your GFX actually get better but the score "Test"
does not see all that is happening.

If you can't see any reduction in quality I's say it is because your
game (or whatever) is not using the improved function but could if
programmed to do so.

 

[forty-nine]

I'm confused by the score Vista gave my pc.

I was previously using the integrated video on my motherboard. Vista
gave me an overall score of 3.7, with my graphics being the lowest
score. I went out and bought an upgraded video card, an NVIDIA card as
you can see below.

I refreshed my score, and Vista lowered my overall score to 3.5,
again, with the video being the lowest score. So, I was better off
with the integrated video than I am with a dedicated video card? I am
not sure I understand this. I know I didn't buy a top of the line
card, but I thought I was doing better than the onboard video I had.

Why is this?

Thanks!

<snipped for length>


By product of DX10 card ?
Your Gaming graphics score > graphics.


Base score 4.7
Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.20GHz 4.9
Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB 5.9
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6800 5.9
Gaming graphics 1012 MB Total available graphics memory 4.7
Primary hard disk 83GB Free (98GB Total) 5.9
Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
System
ManufacturerDell Inc.
ModelDell DXG051
Total amount of system memory2.00 GB RAM
System type32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores2
64-bit capableYes
Storage
Total size of hard disk(s)298 GB
Disk partition (C83 GB Free (98 GB Total)
Disk partition (D34 GB Free (39 GB Total)
Disk partition (E161 GB Free (161 GB Total)
Media drive (FCD/DVD
Media drive (GCD/DVDCD/DVD
Graphics
Display adapter typeNVIDIA GeForce 6800
Total available graphics memory1012 MB
Dedicated graphics memory256 MB
Dedicated system memory0 MB
Shared system memory756 MB
Display adapter driver version7.15.11.6375
Primary monitor resolution1600x1200
DirectX versionDirectX 9.0 or better

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Be careful how you use the numbers, they are a guide only to help you
find potential weak spots and may be useful if you are having some
type of performance issues.

What was working less than satisfactorily that you felt a video card
upgrade would improve?
What performance change was there with the new video card?
Have you installed the latest Windows vista compatible video drivers?

Some marketers love the score.
Many are upgrading simply for higher numbers even though there is
nothing practical they expect to gain, they are not using the tool
properly.

 

[dubya]

Hi John,

It looks to me as if the Vista test is failing to understand your new card -
it can;t relate .

Seriously, the test may be failing to pick up something. For example, I
have a 256 MB video card with a lower version (6200)of the Geforce chip, in
a Pentium Celeron 2.4 GHz, (2GB ram) with a Total Available graphics memory
of only 559 MB -- and it is giving me a Graphics Performance for Aero score
of 4.1. 3D GAMING score, however, is only 3.0, so Overall Score is 3.0.

I would try running the test a few times. Then, if it keeps coming up low,
get a video benchmarking program, and run that. I can't see your card
giving you a gaming score of 4.5 and a desktop graphics score a full point
lower than that - it doesn't make sense- unless it is a driver issue.

good luck

Mike

 

[John]

I have to agree with "Jupiter Jones" here....don't put too much into
those numbers, they are NOT an accurate reflection of your system
performance...ESPECIALLY in the graphics department.

That said, I'm surprised that your 8400 didn't improve that rating.
This is usually a driver thing since the card itself is more than
capable of reaching a higher score. Have you tweaked any low level
driver settings?
Also, if you're using the drivers that came with the card, go to the
Nvidia site and get the latest drivers for this model, that may help
it's performance.
'Nvidia Drivers' (http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us)
'Nvidia Beta drivers'
(http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_downloads_rel70betadriver.html)

Thanks for the comments everyone.

After installing the new graphics card, I did go to the NVIDIA site
and downloaded the newest drivers. I verified they are installed.

I am not obsessed with the Vista score, I just didn't understand it
since my system is pretty new, and I thought my hardware was decent
enough. I bought the new card to add "tv-out" to my system. The
integrated video didn't have that feature. I was curious how the new
card would affect my numbers and was surprised that updating the card
took my score even lower.

Oh well.