Windows 7, is it really worth it?

MikiieIf I have a computer/laptop that can run windows 7 well, will it be faster than XP?

as i understand it if your computer has dual or quad core CPU it will be faster than xp (xp is 8 years old and not optimized for multicore cpus) if your processor is single core windows 7 might preform a bit slower than xp, but not by too much

XP is fine with multicore CPUs.

a bit off:
I have a question about XP.When I was using Vista, it was able to recognize dual core but when I downgraded to XP, it only reports one core. What happened there?

XP FTW.

Blade5406 · #23a bit off:
I have a question about XP.When I was using Vista, it was able to recognize dual core but when I downgraded to XP, it only reports one core. What happened there?

It probably installed with the uniprocessor HAL.

Replying to #25

uniprocessor HAL?

HAL = hardware abstraction layer, it tells windows how to use the core hardware. If you look under 'computer' in device manager, it probably says 'ACPI uniprocessor PC'

Replying to #27

I just checked= and yes, it's there.
It still supports multi-core then?

you need to change the HAL to multiprocessor. One way to do this is to select 'ACPI uniprocessor PC', and choose update driver, then from the list choose 'ACPI multiprocessor PC' (it must be word for word identical to the one already installed, with the exception of 'uniprocessor' being replaced by 'multiprocessor'. Get the wrong one and windows will no longer load). You might need your windows CD and you must reboot immediately after doing it.

It seems I got it wrong.Device Manager displays
ACPI PC, and that's all , no "uniprocessor" or "mutiprocessor"

Replying to #30

then that is uniprocessor. Are you completely sure it is a multicore system?

Replying to #31

Well, when I was still using Vista, the task manager shows the two CPU usage History, side by side. But with XP, only the classic single CPU usage history view is present.Terrible, just terrible:
-Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU
-E2140 @ 1.60GHz
-1.60GHz, 0.99 GB of RAM
-The case also shows "Intel Pentium Dual Core Inside".
-Oh, I also forgot, its core not processor, or are they the same?

I'll have to check which HAL a multicore system should be using, I suspect its the multiprocessor one, but since my computer is both multicore and multiprocessor I can't be sure.EDIT: Multicore systems use the multiprocessor HAL, as I expected.

I never had a problem with my vista. WIndows 7 should be excellent then.

I had lots of problems with Vista, pretty much none with XP and I have heard a lot of good things about Windows 7. My brother tried to coax me into installing it onto my laptop which sucks. I'm not going to until it gets released :D

Replying to #35

It'll be released on October 22, 2009.

Hope, microsoft does fix crazy bugs and common glitches which plagued the Vista. First thing, are mutiple compatibility issues with the window mainly withe some Java applications, which was accidently fixed by myself (yes, accidently with few control panel tweaks and updating, and it's good..).I might have mixed views about Windows 7's release as of now.

Born2killx · #36It'll be released on October 22, 2009.

Awesome, I can buy it for my brother as a birthday present for him :D

you need the professional version at least, the home version (below professional) does not have complete windows XP compatibility.

Replying to #39

speaking of that, how good is the compatibility? is it the same as vistas compatibility mode?