suggestions on my new OS...

[mgon154]

I will be getting the Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit OS OEM Builders Edition, and all of my questions for this OS will be based off this rig so keep this in mind;

Processor: 4.5Ghz Intel i7 920
Memory: Corsair GT 6GB 2000Mhz 7-8-7-20 DDR3 Memory (will OC soon)
Video Card: (soon as they release DUal Fermi's for sure, even dual GF104's if possible)
Hard Drive: 2x Intel 32GB X25-E Extreme SSD's and 2 storage drives, 1500gb and 500gb.
Power Supply: 1200w+500w Thermaltake Toughpower Modular Power Supply
Display: 3x 23" Acer 100,000:1, 2ms, 300 brightness HD monintors. (for NVIDA vision)
Sound Card: PCIe x1 Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal!ty Champion Series SoundCard.
Motherboard: EVGA x58 4-way SLI
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred ATX Gaming Case
Operating System: 64-Bit WIndows 7 Ultimate (OEM Builders)
Surge Protector: 2800 Jolles ROtating SurgeGuard
CPU Cooler: Homemade 22" Ultra High Velocity Fan w/ airconditioner attached. (THE BEST!)
DVD Burner/Reader: 22x DVD+R DVD Burner w/ LightScribe SATA
Blu-Ray Reader: 2x Blu-Ray DVD-ROM

I'm at a library because I don't have internet so if these questions seem dumb, just remember that I don't have a lot of time to google everything, so simple answers are going to save me big. These questions may seem like 'duh' to you, and they may actually be 'duh', but I'm trying to organize myself based off of this list of questions, so tell me what you know. You're probably going to say "wth question is this" but that's ok becuase i'm %100 bred newb on all of this new technology. As far as my questions go, I have built them up over time from what other users have said. So in other words, to me for all I know, they could just be rumors or lies, so just clarify the answer for me.

1:---

2: Give me a practical example of how much faster WIndows 7 is compared to vista so I get an idea. Both 64-bit versions.

OS: I heard someone say that the system builders edition only comes in either 32-bit or 64-bit. That doesn't make sense to me. So that means it's not backwards compatibal with 32-bit apps since its ONLY a 64 or 32 bit?

OS: Is it true that when you're updating drivers and software on the OEM windows 7 builders edition, that most of the software and drivers you need to update will not be found, sipmly because they look for a LICENSED RETAIL copy of windows 7, but since you don't have the retail your updates a lot of times will not be found? If thats the case, why would ANYONE even consider the builders edition, rather they're building, selling a mobo, or putting it on their own person computer!? Thats gonna be the biggest turnoff for me if I can't use all my hardware and update them JUST because im using the builders edition of windows 7. That doesn't seem reasonable though, maybe I heard that wrong from somewhere.

OS: Is getting the "unlicensed windows version" error gonna be a big problem since im using the builders edition? I want everything I can get out of my windows 7, I dont want the tech support and warranty or extra bells and whistles. I am a gamer and want to use this software for gaming. So as far as my game controllers, steering wheels, etc. Will I have problems connecting those because of this?

OS: Will I encounter problems running my Sound Blaster Fatality sound card on windows 7 64 bit OEM Builders edition? Because I heard a person one time say that you can't install these high end sound cards on this OS. Thats also a massive turnoff for me.

OS: I heard one person say that the OEM Builders is not backward compatibal for games almost at all! He has 150 games and only 6 work? Thats an even bigger letdown then anything else!

OS: As far as hardware and gamecontrollers goes that are older than a year... I Heard that driver support is nonexistent for hardware a year old or game controllers on OEM Builders Windows 7 64-bit, is this true? Because I have tons of game controllers and hardware and I can't imagine how terrible it would be not being able to use them! Another big turnoff.

OS: Does 64-bit Windows 7 use less ram than vista 64-bit?

 

[lxskllr]

1:---

2: It isn't faster than Vista. The only appreciable difference is faster bootup.

3: Oem only comes with 32bit or 64bit on the disc. It has the same compatibility as any other version of Win7.

4: Oem has the same download benefits of any other version of Windows. It's main restriction is it's tied to the mb you installed it on. You change computers, you get a new O/S.

5: xfi is supported on Win7. Directaudio is dead, so you won't get EAX effects on older games unless Creative Alchemy covers it in their wrapper.

6: That guy with only 6 working games should find someone else to run his computer for him. You can't run 16bit applications, but other than that, almost everything should work.

7: Don't know. The game port is dead with Windows, but USB controllers should work if the manufacturer supports them with drivers.

8: Don't know, and I don't care. It uses less ram, but I think they resorted to tricks to do it. Vista runs fine, Win7 runs fine. That's all you need to know when you're building a high end machine.

 

[JackMDS]

The only real issue of concern in your List is whether to choose 32, or 64 bits.

Other people's stories have the merit of Rumors and common Internet BS. D:

Make a list of the games that you are using, and find out if they run OK on x64.

Then make a personal informed decision.

.

 

[Rhonda the Sly]

Who the hell are these people you are talking to, mgon? Jesus, man. They tell you the most retarded things.

2: I've noticed increased performance in a small number of misc. tasks (thumbnail generation, etc) and an increase in framerates for a small number of games. Startup time, in my case, also increased, sadly. Overall performance should be on-par with Windows Vista.

3: This is in regard to discs. Only the Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit or 64-bit disc will come in the package you receive in the mail. Windows 7 64-bit will still come with the compatibility layer for 32-bit applications (WOW64).

4: No, Windows Update will grab you whatever drivers are available on Microsoft's servers regardless of your edition of Windows.

5: No, OEM copies of Windows are fully licensed. The license, however, is tied to the motherboard it is registered with. It is only valid as long as your copy of Windows 7 is installed to the motherboard it is installed to.

6: Covered already as 5 above. Hardware acceleration is gone but the X-fi card will work.

7: Get a new friend to replace this guy.

8: Replace this friend as well. I'm not big into gaming but I do have an old USB PS2 controller converter (made in 2004) and a PC controller (I think it's a 2003) and both work fine. I've had Windows detect and properly use printers as old as three years old (only printers I have).

9: Marginally less, yes. It's not worth parsing the difference here though, the difference is negligible if you have 4GB or more memory. The word on the street is that below that level 7 tends to use less memory.

 

[mgon154]

Thanks guys for wasting your time on me . The next person who asks me these questions I'll be sure to pass the knowledge on. I iunderstand all your answers just fine. I'm personally excited to get W7 64-bit because everybody (including reviews) say its so much better now. I just had concerns from certain rumors, but as you both cleared them up eveyrthing is fine now. (pss, ill be getting internet here soon so I can google all day if i want ^_^)