Vista, AGP?

[ebeattie]

Hi. I have a secondary computer that Im about ready to finish getting basic parts for and putting into service for a bedroom computer that will serve as a basic internet browsing, video clip viewing (YouTube ect.), mp3 playing machine.

Specs:

Athlon 64 4000+ 939
Abit AV8 AGP
512MB Corsair Value Select
BFG6800 GT AGP
Sound Blaster Live!
80GB IDE
40GB IDE.

I will be upgrading to Vista Ultimate for my main rig once SP1 has come out (from what I understand this will occur within the year).


However, I will need and OS for this computer. I would like both my main, and this computer to both be running Vista eventually, but I dont want to have to buy an OEM XP disc and then have to upgrade to Vista.

As.... strange as this may seem, will Vista Basic run on this minimalist AGP based system?

NO gaming, video editing, or anything like that be done on this rig. Just nice and easy internet, video clips and MP3s so performance wont be an issue.


ALSO, if vista will run on this secondary machine, will I be able to connect to the house network with all other machines running XP? Just simply need to be able to swap files from my shared folder on my main rig to this one.

Thanks for the help.

 

[VivienM]

Hmmm... why would you NOT go for Vista Home Premium? All you need is 512 more megs of RAM (which Basic would probably want anyways), and you definitely have the video hardware for Aero Glass. (Hint: I get a 5.9 on my AGP 9800 Pro, and your 6800GT is better than that...)

 

[ebeattie]

I may decide Home premium is for me, but the only reason Im thinking about Vista Home basic for this is future compatibility with my main rig and the fact that I wont be doing anything more advanced than watching a video clip. I suppose that the extra few dollars for home premium would be worth it.

So from what Im getting is that Vista WILL run on an AGP system?

Just need clarification with Vista to XP networking and Im all set!

 

[Brian48]

I'm running Home Premium on Box #3 (see sig) which uses an AGP x800xt PE. Seems to run just fine. The only issue I have with it is that gaming performance (and gaming audio) took a noticable nosedive. I'm not talking about benchmarks mind you, I'm referring to actual in-game play. Since it's essentially my wife's computer and she doesn't care for gaming, that's not a big issue, but it's still disappointing. Hopefully, this will improve with newer drivers.

 

[magomago]

it amazes me what people use for "nice and easy internet" "video clips" and "mp3s" these days....i can't believe it was also called a minimalist agp system

Hehe it will run absolutely fine if you do get more ram. It would actually be pretty great machine if you could toss in another 512- 1 gig in there

 

[bsobel]

So from what Im getting is that Vista WILL run on an AGP system?

Absolutely.

Just need clarification with Vista to XP networking and Im all set!

Yes, you can share files back and forth.

Bill

 

[Shawn]

Dude I had vista home premium running fine with aero glass on a P4 3.06GH, 2GB ram, and a Radeon 9600 Pro. I also was recording HD TV shows with it using Windows Media Player. The only thing that computer needs is more ram.

 

[jonesthewine]

I'm typing this from my kids family-room rig, an Athlon XP 2500+, no OC, 1GB Crucial RAM, Asus A7N8X-X, nVIDIA 6600 vanilla AGP, new Seagate 250GB 7200.9...installed Home Premium on it a few days ago. It's quite snappy...not at all laggy or slide-show like.

I have no real beefs, other than the fact that my son complained that Guild Wars and Nightfall ran a bit slower than they had under XP. Reducing graphical quality down to medium from high took care of that, though.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: magomago
it amazes me what people use for "nice and easy internet" "video clips" and "mp3s" these days....i can't believe it was also called a minimalist agp system

Hehe it will run absolutely fine if you do get more ram. It would actually be pretty great machine if you could toss in another 512- 1 gig in there

What he said.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

I'm running Ultimate on an A64 3200 with 2GB and a Galaxy 6800 (AGP). No problems at all.

 

[ebeattie]

Awesome! Thanks for the help guys. Ill look into another 512MB. Ill have to assume that as the video drivers mature, that so will performance of the classic games in addition to the next up coming games.

Heh, after I get Ultimate on my main rig... I am DONE upgrading for at least a year an a half!

 

[Smilin]

Running Ultimate on the Wife's computer:

Athlon XP 3000
2GB ram
6800GT.
80GB IDE
Onboard nVidia sound.

Runs like a champ with everything enabled.


You'll feel that 512MB of RAM for the first few minutes after boot but you should run ok after that. Put another 512 in there and your machine should run Vista not just "good enough" but great.

 

[RebateMonger]

I'm running Vista Business on:

Celeron 1.8GHz
512MB RAM
ATI Rage PCI video card, 8MB of memory

It works OK. I can't watch DVDs well, though. The video card is REALLY slow displaying the DVD video and is chopping the sound. No Aero, though. :frown:

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: ebeattie
Awesome! Thanks for the help guys. Ill look into another 512MB. Ill have to assume that as the video drivers mature, that so will performance of the classic games in addition to the next up coming games.

Heh, after I get Ultimate on my main rig... I am DONE upgrading for at least a year an a half!

Good idea, 1GB is definitely the sweet spot if you don't play huge games. Otherwise going 2GB can help.

 

[Noema]

With 1GB it will run great.

I used to run Beta 2 with a 1GB of RAM and a RADEON 9600 and it was very smooth.

 

[ebeattie]

I guess I got confused between a Vista capable platform and a DX10 capable platform. I must say that the more I read about Vista's real world performance plus the extremely useful features like Turbocashe ect, I am very eager to get my hands on a copy of Vista!

Edit: I would like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse with this Vista machine. Will I have to worry about drivers? I am looking at this Logitech EX110 wireless keyboard and mouse combo. I shouldnt have any problems should I?

 

[Piuc2020]

My AGP 6800XT scored 5.9 in the Aero experience test... you'll be fine.

 

[ebeattie]

Ist this test found in Vista, or can I find it for xp?

Any takers for the wireless keyboard and mouse?

 

[Smilin]

Originally posted by: ebeattie
I guess I got confused between a Vista capable platform and a DX10 capable platform. I must say that the more I read about Vista's real world performance plus the extremely useful features like Turbocashe ect, I am very eager to get my hands on a copy of Vista!

Edit: I would like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse with this Vista machine. Will I have to worry about drivers? I am looking at this Logitech EX110 wireless keyboard and mouse combo. I shouldnt have any problems should I?

No idea about that particular key/mouse combo. The "extra" functions of the drivers may or may not give you grief but more than likely you'll be fine. For "basic" keyboard and mouse functionality it will definately work fine. I don't know for sure but I'm guessing Vista is still using i8042prt.sys (same one since NT) as the keyboard/mouse driver.

 

[ebeattie]

Id like to think that MS wouldnt change keyboard and mouse stuff too drastically. Thanks for all the help guys and Ill let you know how the install went; probably sometime next week after I get some motivation and a full weekend to myself.