[url]http://www.neowin.net/news/main/07/11/24/windows-xp-sp3-yields-performance-gains-over-vista-sp1[/url]

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After a disappointing showing by Windows Vista SP1 (see previous post),
we were pleasantly surprised to discover that Windows XP Service Pack 3
(v.3244) delivers a measurable performance boost to this aging desktop
OS. Testing with OfficeBench showed an ~10% performance boost vs. the
same configuration running under Windows XP w/Service Pack 2.

Since SP3 was supposed to be mostly a bug-fix/patch consolidation
release - unlike w/Vista SP1, Microsoft made no promises of improved
performance for XP - the unexpected speed boost comes as a nice bonus.
In fact, XP SP3 is shaping-up to be a "must have" update for the
majority of users who are still running Redmond's not-so-latest and
greatest desktop OS.
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