2d Graphics much slower with Windows 7

[s-conley]

Comparing my PC running Windows Vista 64 Ulitimate vs Windows 7 x64 Ultimate, everything shows as running faster except 2D graphics which shows as performing at about 25%.

Is this a Windows 7 thing?
Is there something incorrect with Performance Test and Windows 7 X64?

Anyone else seeing this situation?

[David (PassMark)]

See this FAQ
Q. 2D results in Windows 7 seem poor compared to previous versions of Windows, why is this? (http://www.passmark.com/support/performancetest/2d_windows7_performance.htm)

[wonderwrench]

I see the same thing here. Also windowed 3d seems to take a hit in W7.
BTW the link is broken. http://www.passmark.com/forum/2d_windows7_performance.htm

[David (PassMark)]

The link in my post above has been fixed. It was a cut and paste error.

[wonderwrench]

Nice info, it explains well what is going on. To the naked eye I see little 2d performance difference between 7 and Vista though one thing stands out. In 7 when I close a program there is a slight split second stall as the window collapses. I never noticed this in Vista though I did right off the bat in 7. Should be no big deal but it catches my eye every time. I did not see it stated in the FAQ but MS was quoted several places on the net calling this new way of doing 2d as "Direct2d".

[TarikB]

I've read the FAQ article posted which explains the drop in performance when going from Vista to 7, but is the same true when going from XP to 7 (on the same hardware config) ?

I'm running clean installs with no software installed other than essentials such as drivers and Passmark 6.1 and seeing a 2D Graphics mark of almost 25% of the same benchmark in XP.

Is this expected?

Thanks in advance.

[David (PassMark)]

Version 6 of PerformanceTest is now an old release, but that doesn't change the fact that XP had faster 2D graphics.

[TarikB]

Thanks for the confirmation.