The fastest WinXP?

[MikeRocker]

Has anyone done a performance comparison across the WinXP line (original, SP1, SP2) in terms of pure games performance? I have the impression that each SP adds more stuff like services etc. that hog system resources.

My gaming rig is offline, so security is a non-issue. I have tweaked my WinXP SP1 according to BlackViper's tips, but am now wondering if a 'clean' WinXP might not be even better.

Anyone?

 

[The Green Bean]

windows 2000

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: hatim
windows 2000

Werd!

Regarding the topic, I think the original Windows XP is the fastest. No SPs applied. Just an opinion/preference, as I have no proof/benchmarks.

 

[screw3d]

Someone here made a benchmark on 3Dmark and it's actually faster with SP2

 

[MikeRocker]

I have a Win2000 license as well, if thats better. I just thought stuff like DirectX and so on might not work as well. Besides, the Windows PRO versions all have tons of extra services slowing things down. But that ought to be tweakable.

 

[spyordie007]

Yes it does add a few services to Windows XP but if those services are really slowing you down (which I doubt they would slow you down any noticable amount) than stop the services.

Regarding the topic, I think the original Windows XP is the fastest. No SPs applied. Just an opinion/preference, as I have no proof/benchmarks.

:Beats head against wall:

Especially after it catches all the spyware/exploits/etc.? :roll:

Install the service pack, dont alter the services unless it truely makes a differance (95% of the stuff on the black viper site is BS and wont affect your gaming performace in any signifigant way).

 

[Bulldog13]

What 5% is worth it?

I always wanted to tweak using the guide, but it never really seemed like it had a point...

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Bulldog13
What 5% is worth it?

I always wanted to tweak using the guide, but it never really seemed like it had a point...

I was giving them the benefit of the doubt

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Someone here made a benchmark on 3Dmark and it's actually faster with SP2

That's because it comes with DX 9.0C

 

[jamesbond007]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Especially after it catches all the spyware/exploits/etc.? :roll:

Hey, he never mentioned anything about security, just speed. Otherwise I would agree with you.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: screw3d
Someone here made a benchmark on 3Dmark and it's actually faster with SP2

Text

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: screw3d
Someone here made a benchmark on 3Dmark and it's actually faster with SP2

That's because it comes with DX 9.0C

 

[mikecel79]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Yes it does add a few services to Windows XP but if those services are really slowing you down (which I doubt they would slow you down any noticable amount) than stop the services.

Regarding the topic, I think the original Windows XP is the fastest. No SPs applied. Just an opinion/preference, as I have no proof/benchmarks.

:Beats head against wall:

Especially after it catches all the spyware/exploits/etc.? :roll:

Install the service pack, dont alter the services unless it truely makes a differance (95% of the stuff on the black viper site is BS and wont affect your gaming performace in any signifigant way).

And I thought I was the only one that thought this! I bet about 50% of the problems people post about in here with Win2k and XP are because they "tweaked" it so much by turning off these services that they created their own problem.

 

[MikeRocker]

Well I can't speak for the general 'BS factor' of BlackViper's site, but the tweak-guide worked for me. I had a rock-solid system. I did not conduct detailed performance testing on these tweaks but there was a noticeable reduction in memory usage. At the time I was still on 256megs (now 1Gig) and it made a real difference.

Guess I'll make that comparison myself then...

P.S. Does DX9c benefit anyone not using Geforce 6800 (Shader Model 3.0)? I have an R200-based card so it won't gain anything.

 

[Peter007]

Its kind of a Trick Question really. My answer is depends on TWEAK or no-TWEAK

Win95a with NO-TWEAK is the FASTEST OS PERIOD!
Win95a with 98lite reduction = 65mb is that fastest OS available.
but what good is a fast OS if it doesn't have the memory protection and security of NT/Win2000?

Here is my Personal Prefernce and Experience:

1. WinXP Original + Black Viper's Service Tweak for Gamers + nLITE reduction.
2. WinXP SP2 + ".....................................same....................................................."
3. Window 2003 - Web Edtion 90-day trial
3. Window 2000 + Black Viper Service Tweak + nLite Reduction
5. Window 2000

XP and Win2003 have the FastBoot technology...{ ignoring the old autoxec.bat craps } that really speeds thing up.

Window 2000 may be small initally, but you still need to PATCH it to SP4 + Blaster Worm Patch + Direct X 9.0c Patch, +
XML 4.0 Patch...needed for Age-of-Mythology, and so on and so on.......

So in the end, a well-patched Window2000 is bigger than my XP-CORP

Anyhow that is my 0.2 cents. Those who constantly critize XP should install it and benchmark it against your own watch.
I'm not the biggest Microsoft fan, but I am surprise by the maturity of XP.

 

[spyordie007]

Actually there have been quite a few reviews/benchmarks that have shown 2k/XP to be as fast or faster than 9x for gaming (THG had a pretty good one a couple of years ago). Yes some of the basic OS functions happen quicker (i.e. browsing around) because there is less overhead; but that's simply because the OS is doing so much less.

Not sure about the "nLITE reduction" never heard of it.

BTW your "XP-CORP" = pirated software; as someone who has been around here for a while you should know better than to post that. You also should have taken the opportunity to pickup XP for cheap at one of the many hot deals offerings a while back (i.e. the $30 for XP Pro plus a pack of gum thing a few years ago or the VS .net launch events where MS gave it away for free).

 

[Peter007]

Not to worry Spy0rdie007

Naturally, I have a original copy of WinXP here with me
but I use the CORP so I don't have to worry about the activation hassel.
Like mosst Anandtechie here, I changes my hardware quite often.

nLITE is a WINXP/WIN2000 REDUCTION TOOL.
Its still in the BETA STAGE, but very stable.
It takes away the JUNK...such as ARAB, Japanes, THAI lanaguage support, help files, DFS, etc.....
I was able to reduce the XP down to 199mb for Installation CD.
Here is the nLITE HOMEPAGE. Check it out!

 

[imported_nitrus]

im trying nlite right now and it looks interesting as im preinstalling sp1a and sp2. i will also make several variations if it doesnt work out. im going to enjoy not having to go to windowsupdate after install.. for a while at least.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: MikeRocker
Well I can't speak for the general 'BS factor' of BlackViper's site, but the tweak-guide worked for me. I had a rock-solid system. I did not conduct detailed performance testing on these tweaks but there was a noticeable reduction in memory usage. At the time I was still on 256megs (now 1Gig) and it made a real difference.

Guess I'll make that comparison myself then...

P.S. Does DX9c benefit anyone not using Geforce 6800 (Shader Model 3.0)? I have an R200-based card so it won't gain anything.

Some PC tech site (don't remember which) did a comparison between B & C and the difference in performance between the 2 was simialar to AGP 4X & 8X. In other words, the performance difference was negligible. Other than that I suppose there's bug fixes & such.