Scott Hanselman

Calculate your WEI (Windows Experience Index) under Windows 8.1

May 27, 2014 Comment on this post [48] Posted in Tools
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I used to be slightly obsessed with getting a high "WEI" in Windows. The Windows Experience Index was a number meant to give you an idea of how strong your PC was. The idea would be that you'd go get a game at the store and it would say "WEI 5 or greater" and you'd say, "oh, I have a 6, so this game will run great."

Under Windows 7 the maximum WEI was a 7.9, so I, of course, set off to build a machine that got a perfect 7.9 WEI.

In Windows 8 and 8.1, however, the friendly UI for showing your WEI is gone.

7.9 WEI

However, you can still get the RAW numbers in Windows 8.1, I'm told from a tipster who emailed me. (Thanks!)

First, run a cmd.exe prompt run "winsat prepop." If it fails to generate much output, try "winsat formal."

winsat prepop

Then, open a Powershell command prompt and run "Get-WmiObject -class Win32_WinSAT" and you'll see all your scores!

Get-WmiObject -class Win32_WinSAT

Looks like this machine is limited only by the SSD, but otherwise is an 8 class machine! I'm happy to be able to confirm my WEI again!

Does anyone know if Windows 8.1 maxes out at 8.9 or 9.9 WEI? Sound off in the comments!


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About Scott

Scott Hanselman is a former professor, former Chief Architect in finance, now speaker, consultant, father, diabetic, and Microsoft employee. He is a failed stand-up comic, a cornrower, and a book author.

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May 27, 2014 9:05
Just thought I note that since the "overall" WEI was just the lowest number of the bunch you can just do that manually to find your "overall" WEI yourself.
May 27, 2014 9:08
Well, it was 9.9 in Windows 8 if I'm not mistaken so I doubt it has changed with 8.1.

Also, I wonder if there's an official reason for the removal of WEI. I'm not that bothered by its absence but it would be interesting to know.
May 27, 2014 9:26
A 9.9 seems unlikely with any modern hardware. I have nearly top end hardware in my gaming PC (including RAID-0 SSDs and a GeForce 780 Ti) and not a single score gets above an 8.5.
May 27, 2014 9:36
Neat! Just ran it for my work laptop and got 7.2 for graphics and D3D, and 8.1 for CPU, disk and memory. Pretty happy with that!
May 27, 2014 9:48
Scott:

I got 0 (Zero) for CPUScore, D3DScore, DiskScore, GraphicsScore, MemoryScore, WinSPRLevel. :( By the way i got 3 for WinSATAssessmentState.

Can you please explain why i got these abysmal scores?

Thanks,
Sriram Vellanki
May 27, 2014 10:10
for my lenovo t440p i7-4700mq, 16g memory, plextor m5p 256g

CPUScore : 7.7
D3DScore : 5.9
DiskScore : 8.1
GraphicsScore : 5.5
MemoryScore : 7.7
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 5.5
May 27, 2014 10:11
@Sriram

WinSATAssessmentState
Data type: uint32
Access type: Read-only
Qualifiers: ValueMap{"0","1","2","3","4"}, Values{"StateUnknown", "Valid", "IncoherentWithHardware", "NoAssessmentAvailable", "Invalid"}
May 27, 2014 10:18
Got better scores except for graphics card. I'm happy, because I know you have a pretty powerful machine.

CPUScore : 8.7
D3DScore : 8
DiskScore : 7.8
GraphicsScore : 8
MemoryScore : 8.7
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.8
PSComputerName : MORPHEUS
May 27, 2014 11:36
@Sriram

Try with "winsat formal". Then check result WinSAT.xml files at C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore.

If created successfully, type "Get-WmiObject -class Win32_WinSAT" in PowerShell commandline.
May 27, 2014 11:58
Ha who needs graphics power:

CPUScore : 7.5
D3DScore : 3.9
DiskScore : 7.15
GraphicsScore : 3.5
MemoryScore : 7.5
WinSPRLevel : 3.5

Disk is low for a 128GB SSD... need new pc.
May 27, 2014 13:43
I am wondering what could be the spec for a 9.9 PC! Anybody?
May 27, 2014 13:57
All of mine is :
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
Why ?
I think mine is working in shutdown pc ????
May 27, 2014 14:07
Scott
When are you building a new machine?
May 27, 2014 15:35
CPUScore : 8.4
D3DScore : 8.7
DiskScore : 8.15
GraphicsScore : 8.7
MemoryScore : 8.4
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 8.15
May 27, 2014 15:39
Works perfectly in a windows 7 too... My machine at work:
CPUScore : 7,5
D3DScore : 6,3
DiskScore : 5,9
GraphicsScore : 5,1
MemoryScore : 7,8
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 5,1
May 27, 2014 16:57
I ran into this free app after 8.1 came out that adds an interface similar to what Microsoft removed:

http://win-experience-index.chris-pc.com/

Jon
May 27, 2014 17:31
CPUScore : 7.4
D3DScore : 7.1
DiskScore : 8.15
GraphicsScore : 7.1
MemoryScore : 8.2
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.1

Running Windows 8.1 via VMWare Fusion on a MacBook Pro.
May 27, 2014 17:35
"winsat formal" fixed the "WinSATAssessmentState: 3" for me.

CPUScore : 8.5
D3DScore : 8.5
DiskScore : 7.8
GraphicsScore : 8.5
MemoryScore : 8.5
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.8
May 27, 2014 17:40
Running Win 8.1 Pro, i5 2320 16gb ram. I assume the people who got above 5.9 on DiskScore are running SSD?

CPUScore : 7.6
D3DScore : 4.1
DiskScore : 5.9
GraphicsScore : 4.3
MemoryScore : 7.6
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 4.1

May 27, 2014 18:09
These commands do not require admin access.
May 27, 2014 19:34
The UI is still there? I found it on my Windows Machine in:

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools
May 27, 2014 19:58


  • Core i7 4770k Haswell 3.5Ghz

  • 16 GB RAM (GSkill Ripjaws X Series PC3 12800)

  • Crucial M500 240GB

  • eVGA GTX 770 SuperClocked




CPUScore : 8.4
D3DScore : 8.6
DiskScore : 7.95
GraphicsScore : 8.6
MemoryScore : 8.4
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.95
PSComputerName : MYERS
May 27, 2014 20:35
Using linqpad to get results in C# - hit F4 to add System.Management dll and namespace


void Main()
{
var query = new SelectQuery("Win32_WinSAT");
var searcher = new ManagementObjectSearcher(query);

foreach (ManagementObject m in searcher.Get())
{
m.Dump();
}
}


Could also add a process call to run the "winsat prepop" command.
May 27, 2014 20:46
It's no wonder why this didn't catch on. What ordinary person is going to run a "black box" that spits out a 7.9 and feel like it's useful?

I was thinking about how this could be improved - maybe calculate the number as a 1-10 rating, using the Windows version as a quantifier (I hope I'm using the term correctly). Something like: Win7:8 WEI, Win8.1:7 WEI

Anyway, it makes me feel pretty good that my 3yo refurbished Dell E6510 still does ok; probably because of the upgraded SSD:
CPUScore : 7.3
D3DScore : 5
DiskScore : 7.6
GraphicsScore : 4.6
MemoryScore : 7.3
WinSATAssessmentState : 2
WinSPRLevel : 4.6
jj
May 27, 2014 21:03
Alienware Aurora R4:
CPUScore : 8.7
D3DScore : 8.4
DiskScore : 8.2
GraphicsScore : 8.4
MemoryScore : 8.7
May 27, 2014 21:12
Surface Pro 2 8GB RAM 256GB SSD

CPUScore : 7,2
D3DScore : 5,3
DiskScore : 8,05
GraphicsScore : 5,5
MemoryScore : 7,5
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 5,3
Dan
May 27, 2014 23:08
According to MSDN, it's 9.9 for Windows 8 and later versions.
May 28, 2014 1:05
The question that no one asked including Scott is Why did they take out the WEI UI.
May 28, 2014 2:01
@Abdu They probably took it out for a few reasons:
- The numbers are largely meaningless anyway.
- The shift towards smaller, lowered powered devices means your brand new tablet might get poor scores. Obviously, not good optics.

Scott, you surely must be the WEI's biggest fan. Does the WEI team send you a cake for your birthday or what?
Sam
May 28, 2014 3:04
Still doing alright for a 3 year old machine. Custom Gigabyte build.

CPUScore : 7.6 i7 950 @3.07GHz
D3DScore : 8
DiskScore : 8 Intel SSD 330 180GB
GraphicsScore : 8 GTX 460 1GB RAM
MemoryScore : 7.6 24GB of something (I run lots of vm's testing upgrades)
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.6
PSComputerName : HULK Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
May 28, 2014 3:53
Custom built i7 4770k with Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD

CPUScore : 8.4
D3DScore : 8.3
DiskScore : 8.15
GraphicsScore : 8.3
MemoryScore : 8.4
WinSPRLevel : 8.15
May 28, 2014 6:30
It's strange, but I have GUI for Windows Experience Index on Windows 8. It is in the same place as before: in System information.
May 28, 2014 9:58
Running Windows 8.1 Update 1 Enterprise. I do not have the GUI.
May 28, 2014 11:03
ChrisPC Win Experience Index - WEI Scores
----------------------------------------------

Component Subscore
----------------------------------------------
Processor 8.3
Memory (RAM) 8.3
Graphics 7.4
Gaming graphics 7.4
Primary hard disk 8.2
----------------------------------------------
Base score 7.4

http://win-experience-index.chris-pc.com
May 28, 2014 12:49
a *possible* explanation on the 'all scores 0' is the "boot from VHD".
I've configured 2 different systems to have easy multiboot with this technique (virtual file being VHD or VHDX), and summarize hereafter my "no joy experience":
-on Windows 8, when running WinSAT prepop then the Get-WMIObject, got all 0.
-on Windows 8, when running WinSAT formal, no XML file created in 'C:\Windows\Performance\WinSAT\DataStore'
-on Windows 8, in Control Panel/Performance Information & Tools, the "Rate this computer" executes all tests, BUT in the end displays "the WEI could not be computed. Could not measure storage performance. The disk cannot be accurately assessed while the system is booted from a Virtual Hard Disk". Close. :-(.

-on Windows 8.1 with update, got all 0, and no XML file either.
May 28, 2014 13:10
I would *love* to see the WEI for the Surface Pro 3 i7.

Do any of you Microsofties happen to have access to one?
May 28, 2014 13:17
For reference, here is the WEI on a Surface Pro (1st gen)

CPUScore: 7.1
D3DScore: 5.1
DiskScore: 8.1
GraphicsScore: 5.9
MemoryScore: 5.9
WinSPRLevel: 5.1
May 28, 2014 20:18
Someone please try this on a surface and maybe just maybe you will find out why it was yanked out.
May 28, 2014 22:43
Just tried this out on my Surface RT, but the winsat commands didn't produce any output at all. I could run the WMI command, but all the values were zero.
May 29, 2014 3:58
The UI is in Windows 8 it was only removed in 8.1. I don't think it was ever in RT code base, no reason to port it and probably the numbers wouldn't be comparable considering platform differences (CPU/GPU).
Dell 9020 Win 8.1 - i5 + SSD
CPUScore : 7.7
D3DScore : 6.6
DiskScore : 8.2
GraphicsScore : 6.6
MemoryScore : 7.7
WinSPRLevel : 6.6
May 29, 2014 8:26
Windows 8.1 VM running on MacBook Pro 15in Retina, 2.3 GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 2048 MB

CPUScore : 7.3
D3DScore : 7.3
DiskScore : 8.4
GraphicsScore : 7.3
MemoryScore : 8.4
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.3
June 02, 2014 23:13
Dell Mobile Precision M6800, Intel Core i7 4800MQ, 32GB DDR3 1600 RAM, Disk 0 - Samsung 840 Pro 512GB SATA, Disk 1 - Samsung 840 EVO 1TB mSATA, Intel Graphics 4600/AMD FirePro, Windows 8.1 Pro:
CPUScore : 8.2
D3DScore : 7.9
DiskScore : 8.15
GraphicsScore : 7.9
MemoryScore : 8.2
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 7.9
June 13, 2014 14:25
CPUScore : 8.4
D3DScore : 8.8
DiskScore : 8.2
GraphicsScore : 8.8
MemoryScore : 8.4
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 8.2
June 14, 2014 20:09
Thank you Dan for posting surface pro 2 index

I have surface pro 1 original, The index is very close to Surface pro 2

Surface Pro 2 8GB RAM 256GB SSD by Dan,

CPUScore : 7,2
D3DScore : 5,3
DiskScore : 8,05
GraphicsScore : 5,5
MemoryScore : 7,5
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 5,3

My Surface Pro one 4GB RAM 128GB SSD

CPUScore : 7.1
D3DScore : 5.1
DiskScore : 7.65
GraphicsScore : 5.7
MemoryScore : 5.9
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 5.1
PSComputerName : SURFACE

Surface one have GFX HD 4000 and Surface pro have GFX HD4400. Surface pro 3 will be same except the latest model have GFX HD5000. It seems there won't be much difference with Surface pro 3 as well. However I love to see Surface pro 3 index. especially the latest model with CPU i7 and GFX HD 5000.
June 28, 2014 4:07
I'm experiencing same as some others on an acer laptop
Score on zero "almost" all over.
You can check the Powershell capture here.

Any ideas?
PS: Is not VM
June 28, 2014 4:34
@ Martin Costello, Laurenbo, رها, Sriram Vellanki

I don't know "Exactly" what can cause this zero result
Anyway I tryed the app suggested by Jon [ChrisPC Win Experience Index] there the scores appear ok and just out of curiosity double checked on the Powershell and Voilá.... there they are now...
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
==============================
Results Before run App
==============================
CPUScore : 0
D3DScore : 0
DiskScore : 0
GraphicsScore : 0
MemoryScore : 0
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 3
WinSPRLevel : 0
==============================
Results After run App
==============================
CPUScore : 6,7
D3DScore : 3,7
DiskScore : 5,6
GraphicsScore : 4,1
MemoryScore : 6,7
TimeTaken : MostRecentAssessment
WinSATAssessmentState : 1
WinSPRLevel : 3,7

Notice the change not only on the scores but also on WinSATAssessmentState

==============================
WinSAT State Codes
==============================
0=StateUnknown
1=Valid
2=IncoherentWithHardware
3=NoAssessmentAvailable
4=Invalid

Let me know if t helps and share along your results.
July 14, 2014 4:41
Surface Pro 3 i5/256gb (with the HD4400 gfx)
CPUScore : 7.4
D3DScore : 5.4
DiskScore : 8.15
GraphicsScore : 5.9
MemoryScore : 7.8
July 29, 2014 1:40
Surface Pro 3 i5/4GB/128GB
CPUScore : 7.4
D3DScore : 5.3
DiskScore : 8.1
GraphicsScore : 5.6
MemoryScore : 5.9

Based on Adam's scores I am guessing this model is only single channel which explains the much lower memory score and might account for lower graphics score.

Comments are closed.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in any way.