Help choose VM software, host and guest OS

[chakraps]

Sorry I wasn't able to get back to this thread until today. After reading through some of the recent posts I was wondering about the following comments.

For Windows 7, as I said before, VMWare Workstation 7 is ok. And it can play games to boot. If that is what you are after VMWare WS is for you. If you are going to use your host for modern gaming and multimedia then Virtual Box is the best version. ( read that as it is as good as VMWare WS for WORK and it is free which you can hardly argue).

Now why would the VM software matter for gaming on the host. I understand if it matters for gaming on the guest.

OP COULD cram all three on one machine with only 2GB, Vista could run with 1GB so he could allot 512MB to each Win XP and Mint and it will not overextend the system as long as he doesn't do TOO much with each machine. However, I would highly recommend at least 4GB to be comfortable, or more if you have the room to add it, memory is NOT expensive these days, and it will allow you to do a lot more with those VMs and the host system.

That was exactly my thought. I know Linux and XP can be happy with 512MB each. My doubts were about Vista and it's larger memory requirement. At least I can try this setup for now and go for a RAM upgrade when warranted.

I'm spending on a new board and possibly RAM, so I might have to do with just free software for now.