The Windows Experience Index measures the functionality of computer hardware and software configurations and represents this measurement as a number called the base score. A higher base score usually means that the computer is running better and faster than a computer with a lower base score (especially when performing more advanced and resource intensive tasks).
each hardware component will receive a separate sub-score. The computer's base score is determined by the lowest sub-score. For example, if the minimum subscore for a single hardware component is 2.6, the base score is 2.6. The base score is not the average of the merged sub-scores. However, sub-scores allow you to see how the components that are most important to you are executed and can help you decide which components to upgrade.
can use the base score to buy a computer with a base score matching programs and other software. For example, if your computer's base score is 3.3, you can purchase any software designed for a Windows version that requires a computer with a base score of 3 or less. The current range is from
fraction from 1.0 to 7.9. The Windows Experience Index is designed to accommodate advances in computer technology. As hardware speed and performance increase, higher score ranges will be supported. In general, the criteria for each index level remain the same. However, in some cases, new tests may be developed that may result in lower scores.
performance information and tools
score on the basis of computer
base score represents the computer-based system, minimum performance of different portions of functions, including a random access memory (RAM), a central processing Unit (CPU), hard drive, general graphics performance on the desktop, and 3D graphics capabilities.
Next, the experience can be obtained from the computer having the base score generally described:
base score of 1.0 or 2.0 is usually a computer having sufficient performance performing conventional computing tasks, For example running an office worker and searching the Internet. However, computers with this base score usually do not have enough features to run the advanced multimedia experience provided by Aero or Windows 7.
base score of 3.0 can run Aero and many computer Windows7 features to the base level. Some Windows 7 advanced features may not be fully utilized. For example, a computer with a base score of 3.0 can display a Windows 7 theme at a resolution of 1280 x 1024, but it may not be possible to run the theme on multiple monitors. Alternatively, the computer can play digital television content, but may not be able to play high definition television (HDTV) content.
base score of 4.0 or 5.0 Windows7 computer capable of running the new functionality, and capable of supporting a plurality of programs to run simultaneously.
base score of 6.0 or 7.0 has a faster computer's hard disk, and can support high-end graphics-intensive experiences such as multiplayer games and three-dimensional games and recording and playback of HDTV content.
If a particular program or Windows7 experience scores higher than the required base score, you can upgrade your hardware to achieve the desired base score. If you are installing new hardware and want to see if the score has changed, click Rerun Assessment. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. To view the details of the hardware on your computer, click View and Print Details.
subscores
subscores on the computer is the result of the test on the computer's RAM, CPU, hard disk, general desktop graphics and three-dimensional gaming graphics hardware components. If the base score does not meet the requirements of the program or the Windows 7 experience, you can use sub-scores to determine which components need to be upgraded.
base score is a good indicator about your computer's general performance level. Subscores can help to understand the level of performance of your computer for specific experiences:
office. If your computer is designed for office work, such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing, it's important to get high sub-scores for CPU and memory classes. Sub-scores of 2.0 or higher are usually required to meet the requirements of desktop graphics and 3D graphics categories.
games and graphics-intensive programs. If your computer is used for games or graphics-intensive programs, such as digital video editing programs or real first-person games, it is important to get high sub-scores for RAM, desktop graphics, 3D game graphics categories, and CPU categories. A sub-score of 3.0 or higher is usually able to meet the requirements required for the hard disk category.
Media Center experience. If your computer is used as a media center for advanced multimedia experiences, such as recording HDTV programs, it is important to get high sub-scores for CPU, hardware, and desktop graphics categories. Sub-scores of 3.0 or higher are usually able to meet the requirements required for memory and 3D graphics categories.
If unable to update the base score or subscores
system House says the following conditions may prevent Windows update the Windows Experience Index:
to battery operation. WindowsWhen running on battery only, Windows will automatically try to save power. So if the computer is running on a battery, the performance evaluation will not reflect its true capabilities. Plug in the computer's power and run the evaluation again.
not have enough free disk space. The Windows Experience Index Assessment Tool creates a test file on your hard drive. If there is not enough free disk space to create a test file, the evaluation cannot be completed. You can use the Disk Cleanup tool to free up disk space. For more information, see Deleting files with disk cleanup.
assessment is already running. If you have already run the Windows Experience Index Assessment Tool, you will not be able to update your score.
display driver for the old version. If your computer uses an older version of the display driver, you may not be able to update your score.
no multimedia support. If your computer does not have multimedia support, you will not be able to update your score.