SuperFetch and ReadyBoost

• Windows Vista uses two performance enhancement tools called SuperFetch and ReadyBoost. SuperFetch caches more-frequently used application data to the available system memory, and only releases them if more memory is required for other applications. ReadyBoost allows Windows Vista users to utilize a USB flash drive to increase their random access memory (RAM) without adding a memory card. This feature gives Windows Vista a significant advantage over Windows XP in terms of available memory, thus increasing overall performance.
  
  

Applications

• According to benchmark tests performed by Tom's Hardware, applications can be launched much faster on Windows Vista than on Windows XP. This is because Windows Vista has more cached data and memory due to the SuperFetch and ReadyBoost features. However, this does not mean that applications run faster when accessing them directly from the hard disk.
  
  

Video Games

• Benchmark tests by Tom's Hardware show that DirectX 9 games, such as FarCry, F.E.A.R. and Unreal Tournament 2004, run significantly faster on Windows XP than on Windows Vista. Most current games are based on DirectX 10 and pixel shader 4.0 technologies. Windows XP does not support DirectX 10 or pixel shader 4.0, so games based on those technologies can only be run in DirectX 9 mode on Windows XP. Therefore, you cannot directly compare the performance of games running solely on DirectX 10 mode between Windows XP and Windows Vista.
  
  

Considerations

• When evaluating the performance of Windows XP and Windows Vista, consideration must be given to the hardware used. Windows XP will run most applications at optimal performance with 256 MB of memory and a 1 GHz processor. However, Windows Vista requires at least 1 GB of memory and a 3 GHz processor to run an application even at moderate performance.
  
  

Increasing Performance

• Windows XP performs well without much need for hardware changes. However, Windows Vista requires advanced hardware since it features many graphical updates in its user interface. Adding more RAM will help reduce application load times, and turning off the Windows Aero Theme or upgrading to an advanced video card will help increase graphical performance.