Why do games run better in xp mode

[richie1913]

Why do games on windows 7 run better when you check run under windows xp service pack 3 mode under compatability.
For Instance. Fear 2 my machine should be able to run this on medium to high settings no problems but to make It just playable and I mean just,I have to have everything set to min and off but If I run it under xp mode I can have all the settings on high with no probs at all.
Other games I have see a good increase in performance even though i have the graphics settings higher are racedriver grid/fuel/batman.I have a lot of other games like battlefield 2/cod 4 mw2 they work fine under windows 7 but I will try them under xp mode and see what they run like as well.

 

[not so gray matter]

It may be that they use different procedures under XP compatibility mode. If you really do get better performance, then use XP mode. I wouldn't give it much thought.

 

[Heroxoot]

Older games are obviously optimized for xp and not windows 7 as it was none existent. Vista sucked so no one bothered with it for a lot.