Aero vs Windows 7 Classic

[Kurrupt]

Hey,

Ok so I'm running Windows 7 RC Build 7100 (32 bit) using a modified Aero theme. I was wondering if with the following system specs would I see a NOTICEABLE change in perfomance running the Windows 7 Classic theme or would it just make my desktop less pretty. Pretty basic question looking for a pretty basic anwser, thanks

System specs:
Acer Aspire 6530 Laptop
Windows Experience Index: 3.2

AMD Turion 2.10ghz CPU (Dual Core)
3gb RAM
ATI Radeon 3200
120 GB HD (2 60 GB partitions)

That's the only system specs I see a point in posting, feel free to ask for more info if needed.

Thanks,
Kurrupt

 

[Tews]

Hey,

Ok so I'm running Windows 7 RC Build 7100 (32 bit) using a modified Aero theme. I was wondering if with the following system specs would I see a NOTICEABLE change in perfomance running the Windows 7 Classic theme or would it just make my desktop less pretty. Pretty basic question looking for a pretty basic anwser, thanks

System specs:
Acer Aspire 6530 Laptop
Windows Experience Index: 3.2

AMD Turion 2.10ghz CPU (Dual Core)
3gb RAM
ATI Radeon 3200
120 GB HD (2 60 GB partitions)

That's the only system specs I see a point in posting, feel free to ask for more info if needed.

Thanks,
Kurrupt

No I dont..

 

[Antman]

It is a simple test. Change the theme and see for yourself. Everything else is pure conjecture.

 

[Sassa]

It is a simple test. Change the theme and see for yourself. Everything else is pure conjecture.

Listen to Antman & test it.
I suggest that that you shouldn't run customized aero...

 

[Kurrupt]

It's only customized Aero because I'm using a wallpaper that didn't come with Windows 7...

 

[Sassa]

It's only customized Aero because I'm using a wallpaper that didn't come with Windows 7...

That is just customized theme....

 

[zigzag3143]

Kurrupt

I think sassa was talking about more than just wallpapers. Like glass effects, or tweaks, etc.

Ken

 

[Sassa]

Kurrupt

I think sassa was talking about more than just wallpapers. Like glass effects, or tweaks, etc.

Ken

Exactly...

 

[logicearth]

You should know this. Aero (the transparent borders UI) is done on the GPU. While the Classic and Basic UI is done on the CPU. So if you have high demand for CPU resources, Classic and Basic will be fighting your applications for CPU time. While Aero is off loaded to the GPU freeing up a lot more CPU time for your applications.

 

[Mikaka]

You should know this. Aero (the transparent borders UI) is done on the GPU. While the Classic and Basic UI is done on the CPU. So if you have high demand for CPU resources, Classic and Basic will be fighting your applications for CPU time. While Aero is off loaded to the GPU freeing up a lot more CPU time for your applications.

What about integrated graphics in laptops?? Do they use CPU for aero??

 

[Tews]

What about integrated graphics in laptops?? Do they use CPU for aero??

If you mean the transparency, that is dependent upon the amount of video ram that you have, not the CPU..

 

[Mikaka]

If you mean the transparency, that is dependent upon the amount of video ram that you have, not the CPU..

Yea, the transparency, and other effects have to be processed, and I thoght that integrated graphics has no processor of its own, and therefore has to use CPU.

 

[logicearth]

Yea, the transparency, and other effects have to be processed, and I thoght that integrated graphics has no processor of its own, and therefore has to use CPU.

Integrated graphics does have its own processor, while it is not as powerful as a dedicated card. Granted it doesn't take a hugely powerful GPU for Aero. But know this, integrated graphics usually use the system RAM and don't have dedicated memory.

 

[Kurrupt]

Thanks everyone, my question has been anwsered.

 

[brotakul]

I'm sorry if i revive such an old thread, but the subject of discussion is interesting to carry on. I too have a laptop running windows 7, tho i have a dedicated graphics card (toshiba a200 1s5 with HD2600). I am no fan of eyecandy, so i'd personally switch from Aero to Classic theme, but there's an impediment so of speak.
Aero theme uses the GPU for rendering, while Classic theme uses the CPU. If you have a poor graphics card but a decent CPU, you may want to switch to Classic theme, but otherwise Aero runs much faster. It's easy to see this in action while dragging a window border across the screen in Aero. The border itself and it's content will refresh very fast performing a smooth move. Doing this little experiment while in Classic theme, the border of the window and it's content will crop, miming the missing of VSync. It's like Classic theme is not completely 3d accelerated. It's the exact same symptom as running a Linux GUI without graphics driver and therefore without 3d acceleration. You may excuse my comparison with a Linux based OS.

So, any more details on the Classic theme? Is there a way to run it smootly like Aero does? I'm not talking just about transparency, disabling it it's not enough.

 

[logicearth]

Run Classic as smoothly as Aero? No. Just turn off most of the showy effects of Aero. Can use this tutorial to get to the visual effects properties. Animations are probably what you want most. But the argument that you don't like eye candy is a lame excuse not to use Aero. Aero is more then eye candy.

How to Show Window Contents or Outline While Dragging in Windows 7