Windows XP SP3 Yields Performance Gains Over Vista SP1

After a disappointing showing by Windows Vista SP1 (see previous post), we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (v.3244) delivers a measurable performance boost to this aging desktop OS.

Testing with OfficeBench showed an ~10% performance boost vs. the same configuration running under Windows XP w/Service Pack 2.

Since SP3 was supposed to be mostly a bug-fix/patch consolidation release - unlike w/Vista SP1, Microsoft made no promises of improved performance for XP - the unexpected speed boost comes as a nice bonus. In fact, XP SP3 is shaping-up to be a "must have" update for the majority of users who are still running Redmond's not-so-latest and greatest desktop OS.

Of course, none of this bodes well for Vista, which is now more than 2x slower than the most current builds of its older sibling. Suffice to say that performance-minded users will likely choose to stick with the now even speedier Windows XP - at least until more "Windows 7" information becomes publicly available.

Figure 1 - OfficeBench Completion Times (In Seconds - Lower is Better)

Note: As with our Vista SP1 testing, we used the identical Dell XPS M1710 test bed with 2GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, 1GB of RAM and discrete nVidia GeForce Go 7900GS video.

Windows Vista = Windows ME "Reloaded?" You be the judge!

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sp3?? Will it come as an automatic download or how will that work?

Will try Vista only after SP2 is released, golden rule for any M$ software...

sp3?? Will it come as an automatic download or how will that work?

From looking around appears to be an automatic download but it's not entirely clear yet. Also, it's about 358 MBytes! However, the date keeps sliding and appears mid 2008 is the current release time frame.

Tywais is right, it will be an automatic update download. Unfortunate MS will release it after the release of Vista SP 1! The reason quite easy: MS has problems to get Vista's sales on route and they think if XP SP3 is released earlier as Vista SP1 many user's may not want to move to Vista.

That's understandable if look on the performance chart I posted above. No improvement by Vista but by XP!

Right, so if you want to run office, stick with XP, if you want a faster OS in general move to Vista. Another worthless benchmark test. On new hardware, there is no doubt that vista takes XP hands down.

Right, so if you want to run office, stick with XP, if you want a faster OS in general move to Vista. Another worthless benchmark test. On new hardware, there is no doubt that vista takes XP hands down.

Only if you use 2 GB + Memory on Single Core Processor or 1 GB + Memory on Dual Core Processor! Vista is faster with More CPU Power and More Memory only but need More Resource as well!

But you're right, for Office use just stick with XP because is more familiar with less problems for setup and using.

just did a google and look what I found....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

ain't that the SP??

just did a google and look what I found....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

ain't that the SP??

That's for MS Office and not XP.

SP3 is available on the bay or someplace demonic.

There is even just a kind script "somewhere" to apply to the registry and you're able to download the SP3 from MS!!

just did a google and look what I found....

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

ain't that the SP??

That's for MS Office and not XP.

duhh.....

There is even just a kind script "somewhere" to apply to the registry and you're able to download the SP3 from MS!!

I saw that, even supplies you with a .bat file to automate it. Good for RC1 but maybe not later. Also, would not recommend doing it unless you like to tinker and not worried about 'breakage', after all it is a Beta release.

Yep, they have one for vista SP1 as well, I got it someplace else

Right, so if you want to run office, stick with XP, if you want a faster OS in general move to Vista. Another worthless benchmark test. On new hardware, there is no doubt that vista takes XP hands down.

Would be more interesting to see another "worthless" benchmark to back up that claim.

I know that Vista is slow as a dog on my 1 year old PC laptop -2 GHz Core Duo, 2GB RAM - and on a brand new laptop of a friend that I had the pleasure fixing recently, some AMD 1.8GHz dual core part.

My claim is only based upon personal experience with multiple PC's where Vista is quicker the xp. But let's be honest the benchmark mentioned here is about office 2007/2003, That's why it is a worthless benchmark, surely people use their pc for more things then office alone, therefore claiming that XP is faster, only on the basis of office performance is a bridge too far.

I was BANG out of the box to upgrade to Windows XP Pro because I had Windows ME and I thought anything would be better. XP Pro was better but not that great. After two service packs it is now pretty good. I'll still wait for Vista service pack two before even thinking about upgrading.

And let us not forget Windows 2000 this looks like it will be around for a while.

I am using Vista with 1 Gb of RAM it is faster than XP but of course antivirus programs slow down startup.Had to upgrade drivers (program) for my BrotherDCP115C printer. otherwise no problems generally.

WindowsME needs an extra word to describe it.

Windows2000 was my choice for quite a while - but if I am not mistaken, MS has already discontinued support for it (or will be shortly). XP is based on Windows2000 anyhow.