Vista - Optimization?

I have a reasonably fast computer that can run Vista with hardly any issues (Q6600 @ 3Ghz, 4GB RAM @ 1066MHz, GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB); I have a LOT of things running in the background, however. Some of these things are useful, some aren't. My question is: will spending several hours optimizing Vista (disabling Aero, disabling services, tweaking the registry, disabling start up of certain programs, removing Windows components, etc) result in any appreciable performance difference? Vista responds FAST, but not REALLY FAST. I think, however, that in my situation, it may be best to adopt the notion, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Thoughts, opinions?

there's a limit to how fast it's gonna run... i have pretty much the same set-up. just installed my 3rd&4th GB of memory. i say get some liquid cooling and for for 3.6GHz. :-) i had mine at 3.25GHz on air and it was solid. i've read several people have gotten their Q6600 to 3.85 and even one or two (although unstable) to 4GHz.

I'm thinking NOT, but I guarantee eliminating the "some aren't useful" ones running in the background WILL.

Some things can make it a bit faster but my experience with vista installs tells me its a bit faster with almost everything running on default, There is another way to make it run better by using VLite and customizing the install image removing the things you dont need, its about the best performance boost I have got yet using this method.

Removing services that you are not going to use will always make a small increase. If you will notice the increase is another matter altogether.

Sam,

You can run through these to help increase the performance of Vista for you.

Speed Up the Performance of Vista

Shawn