WEI Score Index is over rated

[bubba in nv]

There seems to be a major issue with everyones WEI score for some reason.

I am by no means a computer Guru, but I have been able to build and maintain my computers since early UNIX, and using the MILNET, anyone ever hear of that or use it?

I have several computers networked in my home both desktop and laptop. My primary computer is a intel quad core that I built from Frys parts.

It runs everything great. With a 24 inch monitor the only "big" game I play is Unreal Tournament, and it is blazing fast and looks great.

I produce movies, some HD, for local non profit groups in my spare time, and I have no problem doing that or sreaming video. Broadband with no internet surfing issues. All in all there is not anything that I would consider a performance problem with any part of my computer.

However all of my WEI scores are 7.1 or better except my graphics card, and it is rated at 3.1. There is nothing wrong with my graphic cards performance. Windows seems to think there is. You do not need a "score" to tell you that your graphics card is not performng well. Or that your audio could be better, or bigger and faster hard drives. It should be obvious when you try to do something that it struggles with.

I think everyone is getting over hyped with the WEI index. I have the same score on the same computer when it was running Vista. Now it is 7RC. And it is running better/faster than it was with Vista.

IMHO I think the WEI was just invented to make us waste money on new hardware that is not always needed. Windows may not like my graphics card, but I certainly do. And then I get amused when I read about those who go in and change their WEI settings just to impress themselves or their friends.

If your computer is performing to your satisfaction, the WEI means nothing. But from what I have read since 2006 when I first installed Vista, a lot of people think it is the definitive benchmark for their computers performance. Before you spend money needlessly for upgrades, try running different benchmarks that are readily available on the internet. Remember, it it aint broke... don"t fix it until it is broke.

I wonder how much the hardware companies paid Microsoft to invent the WEI system?

 

[Uber Philf]

The WEI, is way off scale, i have a nvidia 9800gt, that scores 3.2, and i pretty sure that shouldn't be the case, I wouldn't base anything on the WEI, its too inaccurate IMO.

Enzo.

 

[eVox]

The WEI, is way off scale, i have a nvidia 9800gt, that scores 3.2, and i pretty sure that shouldn't be the case, I wouldn't base anything on the WEI, its too inaccurate IMO.

Enzo.

Something is seriously wrong there. Were you doing stuff in the background whilst you were running the assessment?
I have a 9600GT which pulls 6.0 in both Aero and Gaming Graphics.

 

[Uber Philf]

nope, nothing running at all, except startup programs

Its ridiculously out of proportion..

Enzo.

 

[jfar]

There seems to be a major issue with everyones WEI score for some reason.

I am by no means a computer Guru, but I have been able to build and maintain my computers since early UNIX, and using the MILNET, anyone ever hear of that or use it?

I have several computers networked in my home both desktop and laptop. My primary computer is a intel quad core that I built from Frys parts.

It runs everything great. With a 24 inch monitor the only "big" game I play is Unreal Tournament, and it is blazing fast and looks great.

I produce movies, some HD, for local non profit groups in my spare time, and I have no problem doing that or sreaming video. Broadband with no internet surfing issues. All in all there is not anything that I would consider a performance problem with any part of my computer.

However all of my WEI scores are 7.1 or better except my graphics card, and it is rated at 3.1. There is nothing wrong with my graphic cards performance. Windows seems to think there is. You do not need a "score" to tell you that your graphics card is not performng well. Or that your audio could be better, or bigger and faster hard drives. It should be obvious when you try to do something that it struggles with.

I think everyone is getting over hyped with the WEI index. I have the same score on the same computer when it was running Vista. Now it is 7RC. And it is running better/faster than it was with Vista.

IMHO I think the WEI was just invented to make us waste money on new hardware that is not always needed. Windows may not like my graphics card, but I certainly do. And then I get amused when I read about those who go in and change their WEI settings just to impress themselves or their friends.

If your computer is performing to your satisfaction, the WEI means nothing. But from what I have read since 2006 when I first installed Vista, a lot of people think it is the definitive benchmark for their computers performance. Before you spend money needlessly for upgrades, try running different benchmarks that are readily available on the internet. Remember, it it aint broke... don"t fix it until it is broke.

I wonder how much the hardware companies paid Microsoft to invent the WEI system?

I agree,good post.

 

[eVox]

@Enzo: That is ridiculous...
You done benchmarks?
And how does it perform on games?

Even my old nVidia 7300LE achieved 3.4 or so.

 

[Uber Philf]

It performs as it should with game, with no problems

Enzo.

 

[eVox]

Weird. Tried filing a bug report/contacting MS about it? Might be worth doing.

 

[Uber Philf]

Hahaha, i shall whens i get around to it

Enzo.

 

[RST101]

Something is seriously wrong there. Were you doing stuff in the background whilst you were running the assessment?
I have a 9600GT which pulls 6.0 in both Aero and Gaming Graphics.

I have 9600gt that scores 5.9 in Aero and 5.8 in gaming so something is seriously wrong. The most common that I have come across for 9600gt is 5.9 for both. the scales are well and truly broke.

 

[eVox]

I have 9600gt that scores 5.9 in Aero and 5.8 in gaming so something is seriously wrong. The most common that I have come across for 9600gt is 5.9 for both. the scales are well and truly broke.

Funny you say that, first time I installed it and ran the test, I got 5.9 in both. I overclocked (not very much at all) and reran the test, getting 6.0 and 5.9. Later on I found the OCing to be unstable and just went back to stock settings, reran the test and then got 6.0 in both...

Only Microsoft could figure (and I doubt even they'd be able to explain it).

 

[Crunchy Doodle]

Maybe putting too much stock in a WEI score is unwarranted. However, I find the WEI usefull as a quick check that a particular system is generally OK, and that maybe that new video driver really will be faster.

Bye.

 

[eVox]

That's a thought -- Enzo, have you got the latest drivers from nVidia?

 

[rive0108]

The WEI, is way off scale, i have a nvidia 9800gt, that scores 3.2, and i pretty sure that shouldn't be the case, I wouldn't base anything on the WEI, its too inaccurate IMO.

Enzo.

If your 9800GT scores a 3.2 either you have the Windows default/or the wrong drivers installed.

 

[happinessiseasy]

I wonder if rigged to mark another score down if you change a piece of hardware to bring that score up? The best score I have is a 5.9 (my HD), but my RAM and processor are 3.1, which is ridiculous, because my "Experience" is just fine (considering I don't play games). I wish they used real numbers with meaning and gave you benchmarks instead of a scale they devised. It would make it easier to determine if you actually needed to upgrade.

 

[eVox]

Yeah, that's a fair point, happiness, it really doesn't mean much to anyone if it's innaccurate and unreliable. A built in benchmarking program would be a lot better.

 

[Uber Philf]

Yes, i do, latest drivers from nvidia, i decided to run the checker again, and it comes up with 4.8 now :S

Enzo.

 

[RST101]

Funny you say that, first time I installed it and ran the test, I got 5.9 in both. I overclocked (not very much at all) and reran the test, getting 6.0 and 5.9. Later on I found the OCing to be unstable and just went back to stock settings, reran the test and then got 6.0 in both...

Only Microsoft could figure (and I doubt even they'd be able to explain it).

I don't OC myself even though I have done, playing games just doesn't feel as smooth when oc'd.

 

[Captain Zero]

...

Yes. I remember that, Usenet, fidonet and even going back to LinX back when line-mode browsers were cool. FTP? Bah, the cool kids used FSP in those days. 300 baud ftw.

Anyway, back on topic. Yes, the WEI is a silly gimmick the MS have adopted. It 'presumes' your system will perform to a certain degree, provided you have what is essentially a QVL of components. You card(s) should perform better, perhaps using WHQL drivers may help? Even in my own setup, Quad HD4870's don't register. A special build for the WEI was released to testers to get it working. Imagine that.

 

[Uber Philf]

hahaha, epic fail?

Enzo.