Windows Vista's "Windows Experience Index" reports an incorrect Graphics index score on Intel Menlow processors

Source: Microsoft Support

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Install Windows Vista on a system with an Intel Menlow processor

The performance score will report an incorrect index number for graphics, thus causing Aero to be enabled by default.

Windows Vista (including SP1 and Sp2) was developed before the Intel Menlow platform was available.   The Intel GMA500 graphics adapter in the Intel Menlow platform has a new rendering model that is not currently supported by the performance measurement tool in Windows Vista (WinSAT.EXE). 

Manually disable Aero to improve performance by following these steps:

1. Right-Click on a blank area of desktop

2. Select Personalize from the context menu

3. Click Window Color and Appearance Option

4. Click the link near the bottom for "Open classic appearance properties for more color options"

5. Select Windows Vista Basic and click Apply and OK

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