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    BIOS, video, and Vista WEI

    Discussion in 'HP' started by KSC, Aug 21, 2007.

  1. KSC

    KSC Notebook Geek

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    I didn't notice a similar thread, so here's something to ponder:

    I normally don't bother with the Vista Windows Experience Index ratings, but I noticed something odd with the index rating when changing BIOS versions in my dv62xx - the index rating for my notebook dropped from 3.1 to 2.0 when I upgraded from f.15 to f.16 some time ago (but didn't notice until I opened the System window today).

    :confused:

    So I downgraded back to f.15 today and ran the WEI tool and my rating jumped back up to 3.1 again. Here's all the ratings for comparison:

    Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T5500 @ 1.66GHz 4.7
    Memory (RAM) 1.99 GB 4.5
    Graphics Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Controller 3.3
    Gaming graphics 224 MB Total available graphics memory 3.1
    Primary hard disk 102GB Free (149GB Total) 4.8
    Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium

    My laptop has the Intel GMA 950 chipset so performance in the WEI is not expected to be high, but simply changing the BIOS shouldn't cause such a noticeable drop in video rating. That got me thinking about frame rates and I did a simple frame rate test in Quake3 and the fps drop by about 20% with the newer f.16 BIOS.

    Originally I thought f.16 might be better since it was newer, but CPU temps are about the same with f.15 and video performance is better too. I scratched my head over what could be better with the newer f.16 but couldn't find any viable reason so I've gone back to f.15 and will keep it there until something better comes along. I haven't bothered with anything newer since reports indicate nothing good about fans and CPU temps.

    Anyway...just something for others to ponder if they happen to notice low ratings in Vista with a newer BIOS than f.15. If others have newer BIOS' and wish to respond with their WEI ratings when changing BIOS', have at it.

    :)
     
    KSC, Aug 21, 2007
    #1