Performance tests indicate that Windows XP Service Pack 3 runs many applications 10 times faster than XP computers without the software update. InformationWeek.com is reporting that XP Service Pack 3 demonstrated a significance performance boost on benchmark tests.

Interestingly, Microsoft makes no claims that the Windows XP SP3 update will increase performance, instead touting increased reliability and security as the big reasons to install the service pack update. Perhaps it is simply a “happy accident” that the update is testing up to 10% faster on standardized bench testing programs compared to the service pack 2 upgrade. Either way though, XP users aren’t complaining.

With Windows XP still the fastest Microsoft operating system in use, the SP3 update deals another in a long line of blows to Microsoft Vista, which has consistently tested slower than XP on a wide variety of software programs. With the new update, XP becomes even faster, drawing even more attention to the sluggish nature of Microsoft Vista, and raising further questions about the need or practicality of updating to the new operating system.

In fact, testing demonstrates that the new XP update is approximately twice as fast as Windows Vista on many benchmark programs. The question for many Windows users is “why should I upgrade to Vista when I can get a free Windows XP SP3 update and my computer will run twice as fast?” These kinds of questions have haunted Microsoft since the launch of Vista, and many Windows users feel the company has not adequately answered the question, “why upgrade?” After all, if it’s not broke — why fix it?

Designed as a simple bug fix, Windows XP SP3’s increased speeds and performance come as an unexpected bonus. But there have also been problems with the operating system update, and the Windows XP forum is filled with posts from early adopters experiencing a wide variety of “hiccups” with the new service pack, ranging from all-out system crashes, to trouble recognizing external disks and hard drives.

Typically, there are always a few glitches when a new service pack is released, but these usually get solved within the first couple of weeks. The final version of Windows XP SP3 is due to be released later this week, and will hopefully eliminate most of the bugs being currently experienced by users attempting to upgrade.

The XP service pack 3 upgrade will be made available to the general public this Wednesday in Microsoft’s online Download Center. The upgrade can also be accessed from the Windows automatic update service within XP.

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