Need OS Selection Advice

[JosephBAdams]

Hello, folks. I'm building my own computer for the first time (yikes!), and I need advice on what operating system to choose. I'm definitely going with Windows, but I need some help from you folks on pairing my hardware with the best Vista package.

My system will be based around an Intel Dual Core E4500 2.2GHz processor, which I will be placing on a Gigabyte P35 DS3L motherboard. I'll also be using 4 GB of 800 MHz RAM (so I'm pretty confident that I'll want one of the 64-bit Vista packages). My video card, for now, is a nVidia GeForce 7800 GTX 256 MB.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

 

[ajwr]

Check out this Vista editions guide. That spills out all the different editions clearly.

But here's some basic thoughts. Ignore Home Basic...it does not support Aero and is basically worthless. The question to ask yourself is whether you need "home" features like Media Center, then Home Premium is likely for you, unless you also need some of the business features (like shadow copies, remote desktop, and the ability to log into Windows Server domains). If you do need the business features, then you will want either Business (if you can do without Media Center) or have to get Ultimate if you need all the features, both business and home. I don't know how much cost means to you...but here's the prices of the x64 OEM editions:

Home Premium $110
Business $145
Ultimate $185

So, just weigh it...if you're cheap, then probably Home Premium will be fine...but if you have a little extra money, then go ahead and get Ultimate to get everything...whatever you do, avoid Home Basic.

 

[JosephBAdams]

I'm doing Ultimate. Thanks so much for your advice and for your link to the editions guide.