98, ME, or 2000?

[bongod]

I just built a 3rd computer and I got an Athlon 800, Asus A7V and the Asus geforce card. If my main goal is to be able to play games and not have to reload my OS every time a new game comes out.. which should i go with? 98, ME or 2000?

side question - I'm a linux guy, so I don't know enough about win2k as I should .. whats the advantage to running Win2k pro vs. Win2k Server? is it just like the difference between NT4 workstation/server?

 

[paulip88]

If you plan on using the computer as a game machine, I would go with either WinME or Win98. If all your hardware is known to be OK on WinME, then go with ME. This would give you a little insurance that any game that you buy will be able to run on your OS.

You could play games on Win2K, but there doesn't seem to be any guarantees when it comes to drivers and DirectX support. Seeing how support has been for the NT kernel before, I don't really expect much in terms of future releases of DirectX. I anticipate any future technologies would be released later on the Win2k platform since its on the NT kernel.

As for the difference between Win2K Pro and Server, you are correct. Just like NT Workstation and Server.

 

[Noriaki]

If it's primarily a gaming machine use Win98SE.
WinME has lots of extra features that are good for dumb end users, but nothing much in it for "power" users, and those features tend to take system resource. Yada yada yada...I've ranted about how much I hate WinME many times, suffice it to say I think it's a non-upgrade from Win98SE. If you'd really like to see more I can point you at some other rants.

If it's not a gaming machine then run Win2k. Power and stability. It has DirectX 7 and runs most software, there are a few pieces of hardware that have poor Win2k driver support, and it's not as fast for games (differnt driver/hardware access model) but it's a powerful OS, networking support and secuirty features...it's just plain better...
Windows NT was iffy..it lacked alot of useful things in Win98, but the only major lack is that some games won't run on Win2k, and all games run slower. The NT kernel is far better and is competetive with Unixes (I prefer Unix myself, but at least the NT kernel is useful)

Your call, by the end of Q1 next year I plan to triple boot Win2k,98Se, linux
They all have their own strengths and weaknesses.

 

[bongod]

thanks for the input =)

triple boot?!? jeez.. get another computer already man! hehe

 

[Noriaki]

Another computer? I'm intersted in your theories and would like to subscribe to your magazine?

Heheh I'm getting two monitors soon to
twin monitors with 3 OSes. It almost is 2 computers hehehe.

 

[urbantechie]

OT: Are two monitors cool? I set em up at work but pay no attention.

 

[squirrel dog]

my 2 cents =win98se its going to work with most every game/hardware config. you have.

 

[Noriaki]

urbantechie: it depends what you do with your computer.
IMHO dual monitors is almost totally useless for games.

I'm a programmer, I like to have the dual monitors so that you can run your program in one screen and have debug type stuff on another.

For graphics design it's really good, full screen photo on the bigger one, and have your tools and stuff on the smaller one so you can see your whole picture, and have all your tool bars.

For jsut general windows stuff I guess it's kind of handy...IE on one windows ICQ/IRC on another? I dunno...I think of dual monitors as kind of a "professional"/design type thing...

 

[urbantechie]

Hmm, can you mix and match monitor sizes? Cause I might upgrade my video soon and I can pick up a used 15" for almost free.

 

[Enigma]

Yes, you can use different sizes monitors due to the use of separate video cards which can be adjusted independant of each other.

 

[Conroy9]

Really? i was under the impression that both monitors had to be the same resolution
is that not true?

 

[R0b0tN1k]

Win98 and ME are both garbage. I play games on win2k a lot and I haven't had any problems yet. It runs very stable, and doesn't have those damned memory leaks.

Win2k server includes all the server stuff you'll never use on a desktop machine. Go with pro. Any self-respecting linux geek will stay away from win98/ME as much as possible.