Understanding the Windows Experience Index

WEI scores currently range from 1 to 5.9. Your computer is rated with an overall score, called the base score, and with subscores for each of five individual hardware components: processor, memory, graphics, gaming graphics, and primary hard disk. The base score is determined from the lowest of the five subscores, because your computer's performance is limited by its slowest or least-powerful hardware component.

The base score and subscores express the level of performance you can expect not only from Windows Vista itself, but from the programs that you run on it. That said, a base score of 1.0 doesn't mean that you have a bad computer or that you shouldn't use Windows Vista. It means that Windows Vista will run with basic functionality and that common productivity programs, such as those in the Microsoft Office system, will perform acceptably. A higher score represents a computer that's capable of higher performance and of running programs that demand more system resources.

As newer, faster hardware becomes available, Microsoft will increase the top end of the rating scale to allow scores of 6.0 and higher. That means the score you see today will have the same meaning at any point in your computer's lifetime. For example, even if the top end of the WEI range increases to 8.0, my computer's base score will remain at 2.2 if I don't make any hardware changes.

Windows Experience Index

Understand and improve your computer's performance in Windows Vista

By Stephanie Krieger

When presenting at a user group meeting last week, someone asked me if a low Windows Experience Index (WEI) score of 1 or 2 means that he should not use Windows Vista on that computer. The answer is "not at all."

One of my favorite capabilities of Windows Vista is that it scales itself to fit your computer to help give you the best possible performance. For example, if your computer doesn't have the graphics capability to effectively display the new Windows Aero visual effects, Windows Vista won't enable those effects on your computer.

In this article, I'll show you where to find your computer's WEI base score and subscores, as well as how to interpret them. I'll also show you how you can use these scores to help know what to look for when buying a new computer, upgrading your existing computer, or troubleshooting performance issues.

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Save on Summer Cooling Costs with a Programmable Thermostat

EPA is launching an effort to help Americans save on their summer cooling bills with advice on how to properly program their thermostat. When used correctly, ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostats can save money on energy bills and help fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. If consumers manage their heating and cooling schedules accordingly, a programmable thermostat can save about $180 a year on home energy bills.

• EPA Press Release
• More information on Programmable Thermostat Savings

Monitors

ENERGY STAR qualified computer monitors use from 25–60% less electricity than standard models, depending on how they are used.

Earning the ENERGY STAR

• Computer monitors must meet stringent requirements in On, Sleep, and Off Modes in order to earn the ENERGY STAR.
  • In On Mode, the maximum allowed power varies based on the computer monitor’s resolution.
  • In Sleep Mode, computer monitor models must consume 2 watts or less.
  • In Off Mode, computer monitor models must consume 1 watt or less.
• Enabling your monitor's power management features and turning it off at night not only saves energy, but also helps computer monitor equipment run cooler and last longer.
• Businesses that use ENERGY STAR enabled office equipment may realize additional savings on air conditioning and maintenance.
• Over its lifetime, equipment in a single home office (e.g., computer, monitor, printer, and fax) that meet the new ENERGY STAR specifications will save more than $115 over the life of the products, and even more if you don't already have ENERGY STAR qualified equipment.

Federal IT managers and procurement staff should visit Product Purchasing and Computer Power Management for Federal Agencies to learn about saving energy by purchasing ENERGY STAR and EPEAT-registered office equipment and complying with Executive Order 13423.

Sample Language: Explain relationship with ENERGY STAR

• RETAILER/MANUFACTURER PARTNERS: [Company name] is proud to offer our customers products with the ENERGY STAR label.

• UTILITY/STATE PARTNERS: [Organization name] is a proud partner of ENERGY STAR. OR [organization name] proudly promotes ENERGY STAR.

• COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS: [Company name] is committed to continually improving our management of energy resources, which reduces both operating costs and related forms of pollution. We are proud to be part of the family of businesses who have also joined with ENERGY STAR.

• SERVICE AND PRODUCT PROVIDERS (SPPs): [Company name] believes businesses benefit financially by continually improving their management of energy resources, and the environment benefits from reduced levels of related pollution. We are proud to offer services and products that may assist businesses who have committed to the goals of ENERGY STAR.

• HOME BUILDER PARTNERS: [Builder name] is a proud builder of ENERGY STAR labeled homes.

• FOR RATERS, LENDERS: [Organization name] is a proud partner of ENERGY STAR. OR [organization name] proudly promotes ENERGY STAR.

• FOR INSULATION MANUFACTURER PARTNERS: [Organization name] is proud to offer insulation products that help meet the performance goals of the "Seal and Insulate with ENERGY STAR" effort.

• HOME PERFORMANCE PARTNERS: [Organization name] is proud to partner with ENERGY STAR and sponsor Home Performance with ENERGY STAR in [geographic region].