WINSAT

[couttsj]

During my search for a good benchmarking routine for Vista, I discovered WINSAT.EXE. I wanted an application based routine and Winsat certainly doesn't meet that criteria, but it is interesting none-the-less. Because Microsoft uses it on a Vista install to determine if the computer is capable of running Vista, it establishes a good base line from which to judge your computers current performance level.

The command file is in the %SYSTEM% directory, and the related data files are in the \Windows\Performance\WinSAT directory, with the results in the \dataStore\ directory. The results are stored as an XML file, which you can read by opening the file in your Web Browser. The scores are located in the WinSPR section near the top of the file. My scores are shown below:

<WinSPR>
<SystemScore>3.3</SystemScore>
<MemoryScore>4.8</MemoryScore>
<CpuScore>5.1</CpuScore>
<CPUSubAggScore>4.9</CPUSubAggScore>
<VideoEncodeScore>5.3</VideoEncodeScore>
<GraphicsScore>3.8</GraphicsScore>
<GamingScore>3.3</GamingScore>
<DiskScore>5.7</DiskScore>
</WinSPR>

You can run a new test by using the command "winsat formal" at the command prompt. Strangely enough, my current scores are all the same except for the Graphics score which is higher (I assume higher is better). I have a new Vista computer coming in today, and I intend to run the tests at various stages of setup.

J.A. Coutts

[Black Viper]

Before updating all drivers, the system score and Graphics Score may be low. Here is mine:

<SystemScore>5.7</SystemScore>
<MemoryScore>5.9</MemoryScore>
<CpuScore>5.7</CpuScore>
<CPUSubAggScore>5.5</CPUSubAggScore>
<VideoEncodeScore>5.9</VideoEncodeScore>
<GraphicsScore>5.9</GraphicsScore>
<GamingScore>5.9</GamingScore>
<DiskScore>5.9</DiskScore>

A score of "5.9" is currently the max with the "System Score" the lowest of the monitored ones (here would be CPU Score, but not the CPUSubAggScore).

BV EDIT: Checking the old files, the "Graphics Score" upon first test/install was "1". After graphics driver install, it was "5.9".

[couttsj]

Before updating all drivers, the system score and Graphics Score may be low. Here is mine:

<SystemScore>5.7</SystemScore>
<MemoryScore>5.9</MemoryScore>
<CpuScore>5.7</CpuScore>
<CPUSubAggScore>5.5</CPUSubAggScore>
<VideoEncodeScore>5.9</VideoEncodeScore>
<GraphicsScore>5.9</GraphicsScore>
<GamingScore>5.9</GamingScore>
<DiskScore>5.9</DiskScore>

A score of "5.9" is currently the max with the "System Score" the lowest of the monitored ones (here would be CPU Score, but not the CPUSubAggScore).

BV EDIT: Checking the old files, the "Graphics Score" upon first test/install was "1". After graphics driver install, it was "5.9".

Your machine is obviously a much better gaming machine, and it probably uses a 64 Bit operating system. I wonder if there is anywhere on the Web that we can get comparisons?

J.A. Coutts

[Black Viper]

In the external links here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_System_Assessment_Tool

A couple are for CPU and Graphics card index information, but a big chunk are already maxed at 5.9

[couttsj]

The new computer is a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (shows 5.9) and ATI Radeon HD 3450 (doesn't show). Some graphics cards score as high as 6.9. It will be interesting to see how it measures up, but delivery has been delayed a couple of days. Since so many components/systems are topping out now, Microsoft may have to adjust the scale a bit. It has set a WEI of 3.0 as a benchmark for running Vista, although it will run on less.

J.A. Coutts

[Spawn]

Here is mine:

<SystemScore>5</SystemScore>
  <MemoryScore>5</MemoryScore>
  <CpuScore>5.9</CpuScore>
  <CPUSubAggScore>5.9</CPUSubAggScore>
  <VideoEncodeScore>5.9</VideoEncodeScore>
  <GraphicsScore>5.9</GraphicsScore>
  <GamingScore>5.9</GamingScore>
  <DiskScore>5.9</DiskScore>

I really don't see any difference in running this and updating your Windows Experience Index score...same information; same results.

Spawn

[couttsj]

I loaded half a dozen heavy duty applications and started Process Explorer. Then I ran WinSat and watched the performance. I was disappointed that the Winsat results were exactly the same as if there were no other applications running. It must suspend all other threads while it is running it's tests, and it means that it is only useful for gauging hardware performance. I had hoped that I could use it to judge the effectiveness of various system settings, but it looks like my search is not over. Can anyone recommend a good application based benchmark routine that I can use?

I also noticed that CPU usage was not at 100% during any part of the tests. What good is a CPU test if it doesn't max out the CPU?

J.A. Coutts

[IH8U]

Winsat basically scans your hardware and runs some very light tests to determine what hardware you have and then gives you a performance rating based on your hardware, not any "real" benchmarking. In general it's worthless.

The reason BV got a 1 before Graphics driver installation was because Winsat couldn't determine the type of graphics card that was in the machine. Once the Graphics driver is installed Winsat could easily see what it was and give a rating simply based on the make and model of the card.

[Black Viper]

I really don't see any difference in running this and updating your Windows Experience Index score...same information; same results.

Yes, same thing.

[Black Viper]

Once the Graphics driver is installed Winsat could easily see what it was and give a rating simply based on the make and model of the card.

It does not give a rating just based on model of video card. It performs several D3D tests to come up with a result, however useful that result is.

[IH8U]

Winsat basically scans your hardware and runs some very light tests....

[couttsj]

Winsat basically scans your hardware and runs some very light tests to determine what hardware you have and then gives you a performance rating based on your hardware, not any "real" benchmarking. In general it's worthless.

After playing around with it for a while, I have to agree with you IH8U. I have come to the conclusion that these are quickie tests much like Internet speed tests through a web page. They only give a burst speed rate rather than a sustained rate, and for my purposes they are not very useful. I am still looking for a good application based benchmark tool (preferably free).

J.A. Coutts