Building a High Performance Windows 7 PC
With Windows 7 release candidate just around the corner, the other day I was asked to spec out a high performance PC suitable for Windows 7 64-bit, This system would also be a great Vista system.
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15.4.2009 Check PC Performance Details with WinSAT in Windows 7 or Vista
Since Windows Vista, including in Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows System Assessment Tool (WinSAT) has been added into the operating system. WinSAT is a free benchmarking tool that measures various computer performance ratings, characteristics and capabilities, and display the ratings as Windows Experience Index or WEI score.
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20.4.2009 Windows 7 build 7057 - Performance that blasts past XP, Vista
Over the weekend I’ve been spending time with the latest leaked build of Windows 7 - build 7057. While this isn’t the release candidate (RC) build that some people claim it is, this build is certainly pretty close to being RC.
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16.3.2009 Build it! Best PC components available
Welcome to the updated and revamped Hardware 2.0 “Very Best Kit List” for Jul/Aug 09. Here I’ve put together a list of the best high-end and mid-range and budget components currently available. So if you’re thinking of buying, building or even upgrading a PC, this list is a must-read for you!
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2.7.2009 Windows Live FolderShare Beta Refresh for PC-to-PC Sync
Today, the FolderShare Team is shipping a Beta Refresh of both the Windows Live FolderShare website and client that offers some great improvements to the Windows Live FolderShare service at http://www.foldershare.com/.
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11.3.2008 Windows 7 Performance Tools - Performance Tools Kit 4.1.1
Internet Explorer 8 will be not only an apex of performance, but also the next major iteration of the Windows client, according to Microsoft.
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1.9.2008 IE7 Virtual PC Image and IE6 Virtual PC Image Refresh
From the IEBlog: Hello! Just wanted to give you a quick update that we’ve dropped two new VPC images that you can use with the free copy of Virtual PC 2007.
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19.4.2007 Windows Performance Blog
As I said in yesterday’s introduction, my job as an engineer on the Windows Vista team is to improve performance. I wanted to look at a study that measure a key area that we focused on for Windows Vista – consistent responsiveness during the times that matter most to users (when starting up their machine, after being idle, and when you are under the gun running tons of apps, etc.).
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29.12.2006 Microsoft tweaks IE 7 for performance
Microsoft has quietly released a patch aimed at improving the performance of Internet Explorer 7's phishing filter ahead of the company's regular patching schedule, which occurs on the Tuesday of every month.
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8.2.2007 Microsoft IE 8 - Great Performance
This morning, my editor asked why I hadn't blogged about Internet Explorer 8. My response: "Who cares?" Do you? Maybe we both should.
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27.8.2008 Windows 7 Performance Pillars
Attempting to avoid the rather sluggish experience that has become inherently associated with Windows Vista RTM, Microsoft promised, through the voice of Steven Sinofsky, that Windows 7 would not set a single “bit” out of Redmond until it would meet a set of performance criteria.
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29.8.2008 Windows 7 Performance, Explained
From startup to the way it handles hardware resources available, power consumption and applications, Windows 7 has been applauded as delivering a level of performance superior to that of Windows Vista, even as early as pre-Beta Build 6801.
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29.11.2008 How Microsoft really does employee performance reviews
You don't need to ask your boss for a raise at Microsoft, because each year we have an annual performance evaluation where managers review employee accomplishments in a process used for deciding things like salary increases or bonuses.
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22.12.2006 Vista SP1 a Performance Dud
With the initial performance characteristics of Windows Vista leaving much to be desired (see our previous post on the subject), many IT organizations have put off deploying the new OS until the first service pack (SP1) is released by Microsoft early next year.
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20.11.2007 Another Vista Reliability & Performance Update
Vista’s performance is one of those topics that won’t be exhausted until Windows Seven hits RTM. It all comes down to trade-offs.
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12.12.2007 Windows Vista Performance and Tuning
Windows Vista and SP1 focus on delivering greater performance and overall system responsiveness. By striking a balance between speed and responsiveness, Windows Vista and SP1 deliver a level of performance that has the greatest positive impact on the system’s usability.
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31.7.2008 Windows 7 -- Approach to System Performance
Many folks have commented and written email about the topic of performance of Windows. The dialog has been wide ranging—folks consistently want performance to improve (of course).
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28.8.2008 Vista Performance Post SP1
Poor performance was one of the sins associated with Windows Vista RTM, especially in comparison to Windows XP throughout 2007.
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9.10.2008 Squeezing Every Drop of Performance Out of Windows 7
In the sense in which Microsoft is building Windows 7 as the evolution of Windows Vista, the next iteration of the Windows client will perform as if on steroids, compared to its precursor.
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17.12.2008 Windows 7 beta 1 performance test
How does Windows 7 beta 1 compare to Vista and XP in terms of performance? That’s a question that’s been hitting my inbox regularly over the past few weeks. Let’s see if we can’t answer it!
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2.1.2009 Windows Vista Imaging and Installation Performance
Ideally, installation of an operating system is two fairly simple steps. First, copy all the OS files to the hard disk.
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4.10.2006 Outlook 2007 Update focuses on performance
Microsoft Corporation has released an update to Outlook 2007 designed to speed up the communication software’s much-criticized sluggishness.
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15.4.2007 Vista Compatibility, Performance and Reliability Pack
Windows Vista Compatibility, Performance and Reliability Packs – SP1 Preview - Microsoft offers fresh Vista updates to testers.
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31.7.2007 Windows 7 on Steroids – Next-Generation Performance Boosters
Yes, the silence around Windows 7 is certainly deafening, disconcerting and certainly a source of frustration for end users, but Microsoft is building the next iteration of Windows.
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20.5.2008 New Performance and Reliability Updates for Vista SP1
A reliability and performance update is available for download for Windows Vista Service Pack 1. This specific release targets all Windows Vista editions, provided that they have the first service pack integrated.
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25.6.2008 IE8 Performance vs. Google Chrome and Firefox
With Microsoft making headway towards the gold build of Internet Explorer 8, the Redmond company has to face an ugly truth. Performance-wise, with emphasis on JavaScrip performance, the software giant is getting ready to release a browser inferior to what is already available from rivals Google and Mozilla.
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27.9.2008 The Raw Performance Parallel Universe of Windows 7
Windows 7 more so than any other Windows client will be at the core of the transition to manycore hardware.
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11.10.2008 Windows 7 Increased Performance and Optimal Use of Available Hardware
icrosoft is optimizing Windows 7 in order to increase performance, and, in this context, the dispatcher lock is one of the components that has got cut off.
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6.1.2009 Understanding Windows 7 New Levels of Performance and Reliability
For an operating system that required unmatched hardware resources, Windows Vista failed to translate the horsepower available into sheer speed. The same is not the case for Windows 7, as the evolution from Vista brings new levels of performance and reliability.
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11.8.2009 Final Names for Windows Vista Performance Features
Windows PC Accelerators is the new term that encompasses Windows Vista's new performance-enhancing technologies.
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7.4.2006First Post-Beta 2 Vista Build
Released
Microsoft late Friday
delivered the first build of
Windows Vista to follow the
release of Beta 2 at WinHEC in
May. Build 5456 is available
to technical beta testers, and
includes better user interface
performance along with User
Account Control tweaks to
lessen the number of
authentication notices...
betanews.com -
26.06.2006Windows 7 build 7048 vs. Windows 7 beta 1 vs. Vista vs. XP performance shootout
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: How does the latest leaked build of Windows 7 (7048) compare to the beta 1 (build 7000), Vista SP1 and XP SP3 in terms of
performance? According to my Hardware 2.0 inbox, this is a question that you want answered. Lets see if I can answer it for those of you who are
interested!
winbeta.org -
10.03.2009Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
(Beta) Build 1.0.701 Available
for Download
http://www.microsoft.c
om/downloads/details.aspx?Fami
lyID=321cd7a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-d
bf62eda9671&DisplayLang=en]Win
dows AntiSpyware (Beta) is a
security technology that helps
protect Windows users from
spyware and other potentially
unwanted software. Known
spyware on your PC can be
detected and removed. This
helps reduce negative effects
caused by spyware including
slow PC performance, annoying
pop-up ads, unwanted changes
to Internet settings, and
unauthorized use of your
private information.
Continuous protection improves
Internet browsing safety by
guarding over fifty (50) ways
spyware can enter your
PC.
Partic
ipants in the worldwide
SpyNet??? community play a key
role in determining which
suspicious programs are
classified as spyware.
Microsoft researchers quickly
develop methods to counteract
these threats, and updates are
automatically downloaded to
your PC so you stay up to
date.
Beta
1 Versions
Since
releasing Windows AntiSpyware
(Beta) on January 6, 2005
(Build 1.0.501), we have
continued to receive feedback
from customers. We introduced
a beta refresh on February 16,
2005 (Build 1.0.509) which
enhanced some of the real-time
protection agents, added new
threat categories, and
improved stability and
performance.
An
updated beta refresh released
on June 23, 2005 (Build
1.0.613), introduced
enhancements to the detection
and removal capabilities,
including improved Winsock LSP
removal capabilities and
support for long descriptions
of categorized software. In
addition, we have also
extended the Windows
AntiSpyware beta expiration
date to December 31, 2005...
winbeta.org -
22.11.2005Windows 7 build 7057 - Performance that blasts past XP, Vista and previous builds
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Over the weekend Ive been spending time with the latest leaked build of Windows 7 - build 7057. While this isnt the release
candidate (RC) build that some people claim it is, this build is certainly pretty close to being RC.
winbeta.org -
16.03.2009AMD's website paints Barcelona performance pictures not seen in the real world
If you visit AMD's website and look at Barcelona's performance numbers you'll see a very rosy picture. Benchmarks there show performance numbers
which most would desire. And yet, if you turn to the real-world benchmarks published today, the situation is much different.
The
first benchmark listed on AMD's website is called VMmark Performance. It shows a 3.2 GHz Opteron 2224 SE compared to a non-existent Barcelona
Opteron 2360 SE. They also use a "VMware ESX 3.5 experimental build 55263" release which is not available to the public. VMware's website shows
VMware ESX Server 3i as their current product, which on build 52542.
The increase in performance for this benchmark is 124% over
the much faster clocked 880 system. That's more than double the performance and it shows just how advanced Barcelona is over their previous
architecture. And yet to obtain these high performance numbers, AMD is using a publicly unavailable processor on an build of VMware ESX, which is
also not available. These numbers are not something we can duplicate in the real world, or even take advantage of yet. They show only what is
possible with Barcelona, not what's available.
winbeta.org -
10.09.2007GeekTech: Can You Still Build
a PC for Less?
You can't beat vendors'
low-end PC prices, but
building your own power
desktop might save you some
cash...
pcworld.com -
11.11.2005Windows Media Player: Internet access to home media
By linking your Live ID to your user account in Windows 7 (from build 7048), you can now stream your home media to your another PC/laptop connected to
a work or public network. Both your home network PC and work network PC should be linked to the same Live ID account. The media is streamed always
from home network to work or public network. This feature partially worked in build 7048, but works pretty neat in the recent 7057 build.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
12.03.2009Windows 7 build 7032 screenshots leak
As Windows is getting ready for its RC release, we have WinFuture post screenshots of Windows 7 Build 7032, compiled on January 29, 2009 at 6:12PM.
Last weekend Windows 7 Build 7022 got leaked to the internet. Currently the only official build available to testers and the general public is build
7000. There are a few noticeable changes in this build when compared to the (leaked) 7022 build The Home Group also has a new icon Two new
themes - Architectures and Characters are new to this build besides the addition of various new wallpapers.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
11.02.2009Should you build or buy a new
Media Center PC?
MVP Terri Stratton builds her
own Media Center PC...
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04.01.2006Tablet PC vs. Laptop: How Do
You Choose?
Columnist Jeff Van West
suggests you look at
performance and range of use
requirements when deciding
between a Tablet PC and a
laptop...
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04.01.2006NY Times, Microsoft Build
Vista App
The New York Times has joined
up with Microsoft to build a
new standalone application for
reading the newspaper's
content on a PC. The tool,
called Times Reader, was
unveiled Friday in prototype
form and takes advantage of
the Windows Presentation
Foundation that will ship in
Vista...
betanews.com -
29.04.2006Microsoft, Intel build fast, efficient Windows 7 machines
Microsoft has made enhancements to its upcoming Windows 7 operating system that will speed up applications on machines with Intel's multicore chips,
resulting in better overall system performance and less power consumption.
Hardware hooks in Intel's new chips will help Windows
7 deliver performance gains when running applications like DVD playback compared to Windows Vista, the companies said in a joint press briefing on
Tuesday. The improved performance is accompanied by more efficient power usage, as the OS makes better use of power management features included in
Intel's latest chips.
winbeta.org -
02.09.2009Windows 7 build 7127 leaked
Redmond is still running low on Joe the plumbers as another Windows 7 leak surfaces today. This time around it's the second RTM branch build to
leak, 7127. Approximately a month after 7106 leaked. The build string is 7127.0.090507-1820 meaning it was compiled just over a week ago so it's
still fresh off the blocks. Microsoft is progressing steadily with the RTM branch and company insiders have indicated the software giant is well on
target to finalise the RTM build over the summer. Our guess? Late June or early July. Microsoft is expected to announce general availability of
Windows 7 for before the Christmas period, cashing in on holiday PC purchasers.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
15.05.2009Windows 7 build 7229 leaked
Another Windows 7 build has leaked. This time it's build 7229. Sources are indicating that unless there is a leak internally from Microsoft, this
would be last build leaked before the RTM. The build string is 7229.0.090604-1901 meaning that it was compiled a week ago. Earlier this week, build
7227 leaked to the public. Initial reports indicate that you can not use your RC keys with this build, so if you want to activate properly you
should not upgrade to this build. Windows 7 is still on track for a July RTM, and it's possible that it may even RTM by the end of June.
Microsoft has announced that it will be available in stores October 22nd.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
12.06.2009Vista build 5536 for RC1?
Paul Thurrott:....inside the
software colossus, work
continues toward an early
September RC1 release for
Vista.
However, the
build previously planned for
RC1--build 5520--had two major
problems, so Microsoft had to
move on to a newer
version--build 5536--for RC1.
The company plans to ship
build 5536 internally today,
according to my sources...
windowsvistax.com -
03.09.2006Windows 7 build 7137 leaked
Barely two weeks after build 7127 leaked we have another fresh leak of Windows 7, build 7137. This time around the build tag is 7137.0.090521-1745
meaning this build is only a week old. As ever the build is available at the usual places but it might be worth waiting until RTM as a lot of Windows
7 torrents have been hit by malware and viruses recently. Microsoft is still on target to finalise Windows 7 over the summer with a general
availability this fall. Un-official wallpaper not included by default, thanks to djlegion for the screenshots.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
28.05.2009New Vista Build to be Released
this Week
Only days after the release of
build 5456 of Windows Vista,
Microsoft already plans to
release another interim build,
no later than this week.
The build supposedly
consumes fewer system
resources and the long-awaited
new Aero Basic theme.
The build number is
currently unknown and the
build will likely be released
to usual technical beta
testers as well as TechNet
subscribers.
"Vista in its beta form
is pretty taxing on the
system. It's slow and a
little non-responsive," said
Mike Sievert, corporate vice
president of Windows client
marketing at Microsoft.
"That piece of
software is now about nine
weeks old and that may not
sound like a lot but at this
stage, that's an old version
in software terms."
"You'll see a huge
difference ,"
Sievert said of the interim
release, noting Microsoft is
recommending 512 Megabytes of
memory when testing the new
code.
jcxp.net -
14.07.2006Windows 7 build 7264 leaks
Two weeks after we reported that Windows 7 build 7260 leaked, we now have another leak. This time, it's build 7264, which carries the build string
of 6.1.7264.0.win7_rtm.090622-1900 meaning that it was complied last week. Wzor is stating that the latest build is 6.1.7265.0.win7_rtm.090624-1905.
We're still waiting for the final RTM, which is rumored to be signed off on July 13th. Note: Users are reporting that the RC keys do not work
with this build. Image courtesy of blackroseMD1 from Sevenforums
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
01.07.2009Windows Vista Build 5536
Released
It's been a while, you can
finaly take that sigh of
releif. Today Microsoft
released build 5536 on
Microsoft Connect.
The last build released,
5472, was released over one
and a half months ago. Build
5536 is a branch of the RC1
milestone, however it does not
appear to be the final RC1
build.
The build
weighs in at 2,643.66MB, and
is currently only available in
X86. It is not yet known when
or if a X64 version will be
released.
So
what's new? Performance in
this build has been drasticly
improved, with more stability
and reliability. Some UI
improvements here and there,
including some new icons. And
it also appears installation
time has been dramatically
reduced.
jcxp.net -
26.08.2006OCZ Acquires High-Performance System Builder Hypersonic-PC
OCZ Technology plans to acquire performance gaming PC system builder Hypersonic PC, suggesting that Hypersonic-PC systems may start using OCZ
components exclusively. Since its restructuring in 2002, OCZ has branched away from its core offerings of RAM and power supplies into peripherals like
and cooling components. OCZ and Hypersonic stress the new partnership will almost exclusively focus on high-end boutique notebooks and desktops.
Ryan Petersen, OCZ CEO says, “ OCZ’s goal is to deliver the highest performing products to consumers whether that is with
premium components or total solutions. We are delighted to welcome Hypersonic PC, a company and brand well known for their commitment to enthusiasts
into the OCZ fold. Together with the additional resources of OCZ Technology, Hypersonic-PC will be able to develop and infuse even more innovation and
cutting edge designs and features into the brand’s leading-edge enthusiast and gaming desktop and mobile offering .”
neowin.net -
26.10.2007
