2 months until my yearly format/reinstall...Vista or XP?

[PSUPef2k]

At this crossroads of an operating system reinstallation, I am going to RMA my motherboard due to cold boot issues, and upon receiving the new motherboard install a fresh OS and try my hand again at a stable overclock on my opteron 170 (at least to 2.5ghz). System stats in sig.

My main concern in regards to the OS are drivers and game compatibility. My main games are BF2, BF2142, and probably soon Supreme Commander, CnC3, and quake wars when they are released.

So which OS do I go with? XP is obviously the safer choice, but my desire to be on the cutting edge with the latest and greatest has me wanting to go with Vista Ultimate. Both are available to me in 32 or 64bit versions. Any advice?

 

[stevem326]

I'm in the same boat but I'm going to wait (I think) for about 9-12 months before installing Vista. XP is actually a very good OS and SP-3 is coming out for it this summer. I think there are still to many driver issues right now with Vista. I'd wait until all the manufacturers can catch up with it and then install Vista. Stick with XP for now.

Just my $.02

 

[Mem]

Your hardware is more then fine to run Vista,I would go with x64 version(slightly better security and 64 bit is more futureproof),driver support is very good at moment, all new drivers are available in both 32 and 64 bit format.



Games should not be a problem ,check this site out on games running with Vista..
FYI I'm running Vista x64,games installed on my OS are Vanguard,Morrowind and all expansion packs,Oblivion,UT2004,M&M 8 all running fine.

 

[PSUPef2k]

Now I would do that, however in 2 months when I actually do this I think Vista driver support should be in better shape.

 

[Nothinman]

Now I would do that, however in 2 months when I actually do this I think Vista driver support should be in better shape.

One would hope, but I wouldn't hold my breath on Creative's ability to actually produce anything worth using.

 

[InlineFive]

Drivers are currently the biggest issue with Vista. In your case since you have an ATI card I think it would be pretty safe for you to try Vista. Keep in mind that your audio won't work.

Plus I would clone your current XP install over to an old hard drive just in case you need it.

 

[Clocker]

my only reason for waiting is that i dont want to pay for vista. so i guess i will get vista when i buy a new computer. those of you who get student discounts or pay only 20 bucks for volume lisc are pooper heads (im jealous).

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: InlineFive
Drivers are currently the biggest issue with Vista. In your case since you have an ATI card I think it would be pretty safe for you to try Vista. Keep in mind that your audio won't work.

Plus I would clone your current XP install over to an old hard drive just in case you need it.

Creative have beta drivers available and I can vouch they work ok for my Vista x64,FYI official drivers are due in March from Creative.

 

[nippyjun]

Why not install vista now (dual boot) and make sure it works with all your software, then decide.

 

[VooDooAddict]

You can always buy Vista and run the "demo" version of it for 30-120 days without entering your key and activating.

That way you can test it out yourself before commiting to running it on that hardware. It sounds like you certainly want to move to vista ... and just aren't sure if the support is there yet.

'Coarse you need to have the time to do this

 

[VooDooAddict]

Originally posted by: Mem
Games should not be a problem ,check this site out on games running with Vista..

For some reason I'm still angry that the article doesn't say anything about Vista 32bit vs 64bit
...


For the original poster ...


I'm upgrading to Vista on my gaming system primarily because I'm sure I'll encounter others who will try to do the same and need my help with any small issues that come up.

 

[PSUPef2k]

Originally posted by: nippyjun
Why not install vista now (dual boot) and make sure it works with all your software, then decide.

That is the new plan!

 

[Shawn]

Vista