Vista worthwhile for new gaming build?

[ADizzle491]

Hi all,

Been lurking these forums for a few days now and can't seem to decide on whether I want to run first off, XP or Vista on the new machine, and whether I want it to be 32 or 64 bit. I'll list the specs...

E8400 @ ~4ghz
4gb OCZ ddr1066
8800gts 640mb
P45 mobo by ASRocks
OCZ 700w PSU

I think thats all that really matters. Anyways, I'm mainly looking to run Everquest 2, and I'm pretty convinced I have the specs to run it fine at high settings, my only issue is whether I should use Vista as my OS (I've heard that I need to go to Vista in order to utilize all 4gb of ram in games?). If so, what is the benefit of going 64bit Vista over regular 32 bit? Will EQ2 run just as well on my current XP Pro 32? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Aberforth]

32bit OS cannot utilize all of your RAM so it is wise to install 64bit if your hardware is compatible and 64bit is supposed to run faster with native 64bit applications, so I suggest you install Vista 64 + SP1 and Updates.

Also Vista will run a little slower for a few days after the installation because it will be indexing or super fetching the data in the background. I suggest not to turn it off as these features are really important for vista performance, speed will pick up gradually.

 

[QuixoticOne]

I'd say go with Vista64 unless you hear compelling evidence that it will be incompatible with your hardware / software. I run it, and I wouldn't deploy XP32, XP64 or Vista32 on a future machine without specific reason to do so.

Vista64 will give you full benefit of all 3G/4G/or more RAM that you install now or upgrade in the future.

In the future you'd probably be better off with a copy of Vista64 rather than anything else when it comes time to upgrade / replace your current computer.

In most cases if you order Vista64 you can still choose to install Vista32 instead with the same license key if you have problems with the 64 bit version. Then in the future when there are better drivers / applications / whatever such that 64 would work for you, you already own it and can just use it at that time. It may not be possible to freely switch back from 64 to 32 if you buy an OEM edition, I'm not quite sure. I know you can switch on the Retail or Upgrade versions.

Most games I've tried from the last 3-4 years have worked in Vista64, BF2, COD4, Civ4, Oblivion, et. al. so it probably works with most of them especially if you apply the latest patches to the OS and the games.

Vista will let you take advantage of DX10/DX10.1/DX11 to the extent that that may matter, it isn't a big deal, but it's a little.

You can order a 64 bit install CD for like $10-$15 from Microsoft if you buy a retail/upgrade Vista32 and it doesn't come with a 64 bit installer. Or you can just borrow / whatever one and use your existing license key since it works for 32 and 64 at least in the upgrade/retail versions. I think they package Ultimate with
32 and 64 installers on the same DVD, but not the other versions. If you order from some place online,
newegg or whatever, maybe you can find a retail/upgrade 64 bit product straight from the store without having to order the 64 install DVD from Microsoft or borrow/download it.