Windows Experience Index to chose a new computer (WEI)

Question

I saw Windows Vista demo'd on several computers today and quickly found the Windows Experience Index (WEI) -  Microsoft's WEI info  which each machine calculates based on its internal components.  A score below 3 won't run the new Aero features.  Which were pretty cool on the computer I was messing with.   On my current computer  XPS410 6600 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 Ram, 500 GB Raid 0, nVidia GeForce 7300LE, XP Pro...  I guess I need to upgrade the graphics card to get the 'Aero Experience'  Although if you configue a system online it won't tell  you this card is insufficient for Aero - but the upgrade advisor did.   So here's my question - if I'm shopping for a new system at Fry's or Comp-USA I can check the WEI on each machine to find the one I want but I don't see that score anywhere on dell's site... like what's the score with the ATI card or the nVidia 7900GS?? how much change for how much coin?   if you've figured this out let me know so I can order my next computer.

frontier204 · Answer

There have been reports that the Windows Experience Index is bogus:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=37
I know it's not much to go on as reports that it is flawed but it's still enough that I wouldn't be shopping for a computer.

I'm not exactly sure what this "Aero experience" is but I can tell you that I was running Aero glass (Vista Ultimate RC1) using:
Pentium IV 2.4 gHz (Northwood)
512MB DDR1 PC2700 RAM
NVidia GeForce 5700LE, 128 meg ram
That gave me a Windows Experience of 2.0 but the system didn't feel in any way crippled by Aero Glass (which I had to force on because I didn't meet premium ready reqs to begin with). I did some internet browsing and played Age of Mythology on the computer and the animations were never choppy. Maybe this will change if you're doing media centre or using dual monitors. Now I tried the same thing on a laptop (ATI 200M integrated) which oddly enough got the same WEI and let's just say it wasn't pretty.

What I'm trying to say is just try out Aero glass, and if you're not satisfied you can upgrade your GFX card.

I'd try the WEI index on my Dimension 9200/XPS 410 which has a 7900GS but by the time I get my upgrade disc you would've already made your decision on your graphics card :P

powerchuck · Answer

The 'Glass' windows seem to work with the basic experience - its the other things like the ability to see all your open windows in a 3D way (Kinda like Mac OS-X's Expose) and the 3D flip animation that are what you need the higher WEI number - driven by a higher card.

HayMoose · Answer

My (Manufacturer to be left unnamed) laptop has a rating of 2.4 based on the video card.

It still handles the "Aero Experience" pretty well.

AMD Turion 64 (2.2Ghz)

2 GB RAM

ATI Radeon Express 200m (lowest rating in WEI)

I ran Vista beta RC1 and later RC2 and it was flawless with exception to the digital driver signage, I had to use the XP64-bit audio driver and force non-enforcement of said signage in order to hear audio.

I hope (Manufacturer to be left unnamed) has an updated driver for my audio, if not included in the official release of Vista. I am in no hurry to install it on my laptop full-time. I use it for work. My brand new (Manufacturer to be left unnamed) E521 will run Vista once the 64-bit DVD arrives.

Good Luck!

Edited to protect the innocent (Manufacturer to be left unnamed.)

Message Edited by HayMoose on 02-02-2007 11:10 AM

powerchuck · Answer

Yeah,  I was kinda hoping that (Manufacturer to be left unnamed) might think this was a brilliant idea and incorporate it into their sales system - I mean if the price & ship date can update when you click different options they could recalc the WEI based on components selected.     Heck they might even get more people willing to crack open their check book for a higher end system.... at least the XPS buyers need this info.   If I was willing enough to wait nearly a month (yes my order took a month) for a new XPS410 I'd be willing to pay more for components that made measureable differences in AERO performance.    I'm glad to hear that the 3.0 score isn't really required and that somehow one can force a system to do what it supposedly isn't capable of doing.

Sam1931 · Answer

Another reference WindowsVistaBlog

I have been running Vista Ultimate RC2 since November on my 3.5 year old Dell Inspiron8600 and it has WEI score 3.0. I am pleased with its performance.

Intel Pentium M 1.6 GHz, w/ 1 GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5650 (MS WDDM) 128 MB
60MB 7200 RPM
    WIE Subscores
Processor:        3.3
Memory (RAM): 4.1
Graphics:                   3.2
Gaming Graphics: 3.0
Primary Hard Disk: 4.4
I am looking at $3000-4000 and would like to have a WEI score of at least 5.1

This DELL XPS M1710

Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7600 (2.33GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB)

Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium

17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen UXGA Display with TrueLife™

2GB DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHZ, 2 DIMM

100GB 7200rpm SATA Hard Drive

8X CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability

256MB NVIDIA® GeForce™ Go 7900 GS

Integrated Audio

Best-WEI-ranking I have found. Suggest the above will give me a WEI score of 5.2.

Can somebody verify this?

Thank you …Sam

Windows General

Windows Experience Index to chose a new computer (WEI)

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