Windows Aero

[#1]

I have been looking at my Performance Information & Tools on my Windows 7 PC.
My base score is only 3 and this is due to Graphics Windows Aero. What problem is this causing me as the PC seems to perform well?
What is Aero? 

[#2]

Pretty stuff on the UI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Aero
Some people turn it off.

[#3]

Thanks Strat.  Looks like it's something I need to look into when I get home later.

[#4]

I tried W7 with Aero turned off for a while but didn't notice any conceivable speed increase.
Two things to try would be to ensure you have the latest graphics drivers and/or upgrade your video card.
My Base score is 7.3 with all but RAM (which is 7.7) at 7.3.

[#5]

Wow!! My best is only 5.7
A couple of questions please:
How do I turn Aero on and off?
Where do I look to check my graphic card updates?  Hopefully you can explain in simple language as I'm not a PC geek like a few on here.
I think these are the details of my graphic card:
Interl 82945G Express Chipset Family.

[#6]

Quote from: artmo

How do I turn Aero on and off?

Right-click on empty part of the desktop - Select 'Personalize' - Under 'Basic and High Contrast Themes' select 'Windows 7 Basic'.

Quote from: artmo

Where do I look to check my graphic card updates?  Hopefully you can explain in simple language as I'm not a PC geek like a few on here.

I use AMD graphics but I think trying this link and selecting 'Automatically detect and update drivers and software' may be a good starting point.
Of all my systems I had since W7 the biggest stumbling block for the Base score has been the Hard Drive which was in the high 5's. That shot up to 7.3 this system when I added the SSD

[#7]

Its a desktop theme so via Control panel/Personalization.

[#8]

@Mav, I checked out the link you gave me and it tells me I have the latest drivers
Going to the themes - am i right, if I select one of the 7 Area themes that means Areo is on and if I select one of the 6 basic and high contgrast it is off?
Once I've selected a theme a box pops up asking me to give it a name. I assume this has to be done to switch it on

[#9]

A question - is it a desktop or a laptop
If a desktop are you interested in sorting it as that low a score indicates that it has integrated graphics

[#10]

It's a desktop.  Is that score (3) normal for integrated graphics?
I'm generally pleased with its performance but having come across the check I thought I would ask the question.
For reference the other readings are:
Processor 5.1
RAM 5.1
Graphic games 3.2
Primary hard disk 5.7
The readings seem low compared to Mav's.

[#11]

It probably is with limited ram
However
If you don't play games etc. the overall performance may not be too bad
What is the make/model of it and do you do anything which could be classed as graphics intensive
If you don't then it really doesn't matter

[#12]

Just checked using Speccy. It doesn't tell me the model but I know it's an HP.
It shows 4Gb of RAM and no I don't do anything that could be classed as graphics intensive. The extent of my game playing is Solitaire
As I say it's good for my needs.
Could someone please answer my points in post#7 to put my mind at rest.
Is this check available in Windows 8.1 as I don't seem to be able to find it?
Thank you.

[#13]

The easy way is to go back to the Performance Monitor and click on adjust visual effects
You will see this picture
Then select adjust for best performance and that will get rid of all the aero effects

[#14]

Thanks Jim and thank you to everyone who helped out in this thread

[#15]

Quote from: artmo

Going to the themes - am i right, if I select one of the 7 Area themes that means Areo is on and if I select one of the 6 basic and high contgrast it is off?

Yes

Quote from: artmo

Once I've selected a theme a box pops up asking me to give it a name. I assume this has to be done to switch it on

It's been a while since I first turned on Aero - actually I think it was on by default. The only time I recall being asked for a name was when I set up my own backgrounds.