Microsoft's recent assertion that "Windows 11 PCs are up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10 PCs" has sparked considerable debate within the tech community. This claim, rooted in a December 2024 benchmark, has been scrutinized for its methodology and the implications it carries for users contemplating an upgrade.
The Benchmark Breakdown
The performance claim is based on Geekbench 6 multi-core scores comparing Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. However, a critical examination reveals that the comparison involved disparate hardware configurations:
- Windows 10 Systems: Equipped with Intel's 6th, 8th, and 10th-generation processors.
- Windows 11 Systems: Utilizing Intel's 12th and 13th-generation processors.
Community and Expert Reactions
The tech community has expressed skepticism regarding the validity of these comparisons. Critics argue that a more accurate assessment would involve testing both operating systems on identical hardware to isolate the impact of the OS upgrade. For instance, gHacks Tech News points out that Microsoft's tests did not involve installing Windows 10 on the machines that ran Windows 11, or vice versa, which would have been a proper way to benchmark the systems. (ghacks.net)
Furthermore, independent benchmarks have shown minimal performance differences between Windows 10 and Windows 11 when run on the same hardware. TechSpot's analysis indicates that, across various applications and gaming scenarios, the performance margins are negligible, often within a 1% variation. (techspot.com)
Implications for Users
For users considering an upgrade, it's essential to approach such performance claims with caution. While Windows 11 introduces new features and security enhancements, the expectation of a substantial performance boost solely from the OS upgrade may not align with real-world experiences. As highlighted by Neowin, despite Microsoft's claims, kernel analysis reveals that Windows 11 isn't significantly faster than Windows 10. (neowin.net)
Conclusion
Microsoft's claim of Windows 11 being up to 2.3 times faster than Windows 10 has been met with justified skepticism. The reliance on benchmarks comparing systems with different hardware generations undermines the assertion's credibility. Users should base their upgrade decisions on a comprehensive evaluation of new features, security improvements, and compatibility considerations, rather than on potentially misleading performance claims.
Source: Notebookcheck Microsoft claims Windows 11 is up to 2.3x faster than Windows 10, but benchmark uses different gen CPUs