Why did my Windows Experience Index decrease when I installed Windows 8?

Question

Hello,

I purchased and installed Windows 8 yesterday, and I am loving it. it looks nice and is quite fast. However, I ran the Windows Experience Index, and while some of my scores have increased, others have decreased.

In Windows 7, my scores were:

Processor 7.5

RAM 7.8

Graphics 7.9

Gaming graphics 7.9

Primary hard disk 7.9

However, in Windows 8, after several runs trough WIndows Update and the latest nVidia drivers, my scores are now:

Processor  7.6

RAM  7.8

Graphics 7.6

Gaming graphics 7.6

Primary hard disk 8.1

Also, since installing Windows 8, when I set the resolution to the same resolution I had in Windows 7, it looks blurry. I am connected to a 47" VIVO LCD. If I go beyond 1024x768 the screen is blurry.

I guess I have two questions:

1. What would be the reason for the drop in the graphics and gaming graphics?
2. is a Windows Update sufficient to install all the drivers I need? Or should I also run the CDs that came with my computer? I tried running my ASRock intel DVD of drivers, but it wouldn't run.

Answer 1

Hi,

You are seeing the drop in scores since WEI in Windows 8 scores out of 9.9 as the maximum score, whilst in Windows 7 it is 7.9.

Looking at your scores, I guess you have an SSD as your primary hard disk, in which case the score increased from 7.9 (max score in W7) to 8.1 (currently, the max score for SSDs on W8).

Also note that the score may decrease over time as newer, faster and more capable technology is released such as high-end graphics cards and processors. It is possible to increase your scores for Processor, Memory, Graphics and Gaming graphics, by overclocking those components.

E.g. My WEI, stock clocked.

	Component	Details	Subscore	Base score	<br>	---	---	---	---	<br>	Processor	AMD FX(tm)-8150 Eight-Core Processor	7.4		7.4	<br>	---	<br>	Determined by lowest subscore		<br>	Memory (RAM)	8.00 GB	7.4	<br>	Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti	7.5	<br>	Gaming graphics	4095 MB Total available graphics memory	7.5	<br>	Primary hard disk	27GB Free (119GB Total)	8.1	<br>	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center

Overclocked.

	Component	Details	Subscore	Base score	<br>	---	---	---	---	<br>	Processor	AMD FX(tm)-8150 Eight-Core Processor	7.9		7.8	<br>	---	<br>	Determined by lowest subscore		<br>	Memory (RAM)	8.00 GB	7.9	<br>	Graphics	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti	7.8	<br>	Gaming graphics	4095 MB Total available graphics memory	7.8	<br>	Primary hard disk	25GB Free (119GB Total)	8.1	<br>	Windows 8 Pro with Media Center

As for the resolution problem, I'm going to assume you are using nVidia and have made no adjustments to the connection between your machine and the monitor since Windows 7 was installed.

Download the latest driver from geforce.com per your graphics card model

---

Important! Run the setup, but select "Clean installation" (It's a small tick box).

I had the same problem, since Windows 8 ships with a buggy nVidia driver (Version 306.97) and caused other problems with my 3D TV that I use as a monitor. Performing a clean install solved it for me.

If that doesn't work, make sure the resolution is being displayed at a refresh rate that is supported by your monitor, or Windows 8 isn't sneakily turning on 3D (this happened to someone before). There was also a bug where the Metro UI had problems displaying when Anti-aliasing FXAA was enabled, but updating the graphics drivers eliminated this.

Edit:

When it comes to installing drivers for devices/components, the first port of call should be Windows Update. If Windows Update is unable to provide anything, check both the compatibility between Windows 8 and the device at the below link and check the manufacturers website for support of Windows 8.. Most devices should simply 'work out of the box' with Windows 8, and if that's true for a certain device the site will state "No action required" with a green tick.

www.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/compatibility/

Some manufacturers were preemptive and quickly updated their devices etc to support Windows 8, but others have been slow, or simply neglected to support the new OS.

Hope that helps! =)

Answer 2

Shilohbob,

Thank you for your prompt reply. I installed the latest drivers from Intel, ASRock and nVidia (as opposed to the ones already installed through Windows Update). However, it did not do anything other put on a few extra little random programs - such as some Intel manager and something called VirtualMVP.

I clean-installed WIndows 8 again, and re-ran the ratings. My graphics & gaming graphics are now ranking 7.5 in the WEI.

I still do not understand the drop from Windows 7 of 7.9

But thanks for your advice.

Answer 3

Q1. Your graphics drivers may be out of date & not updated to W8.

Visit your graphics card manufacturers website and download & install the latest W8 drivers.

The one on CD, arte more than likely out of date. Manufacturers drivers are the best to install, do not accept drivers from Windows Update.