What OS should I install on this old machine?

[gevorg]

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (single core!)
ASUS K8N-E motherboard (nForce3 250Gb chipset)
1GB DDR400 RAM
Geforce fx 5200 AGP video card (128MB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive

This is basically a PC of a close family member that I'm going to "redo". 🙂 Its mainly used for simple home tasks like web, email, ms office, music, videos, etc.

There are basically two choices: Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 Home. Both 32 bit. Trying to decide which OS will be fastest. Disabling visual enhancements like Aero is okay.

 

[lxskllr]

I'd use Win7. I have it on my daughter's machine, and it runs great.

P4 3.06
ASUS P4P800SE
1gb DDR
GF6800
80gb hd

 

[CptCrunch]

Windows 7 or XP should run just fine.

If you want a really light operating system, Windows 2000 (of course, not as secure in 2009 as XP or 7) or Ubuntu for basic tasks

 

[Gamingphreek]

If it is only used for web, email, and the like - install Ubuntu/Fedora/openSUSE on it. Everything you listed above comes preloaded.

If; however, you are uncomfortable putting a Linux distro on it, Windows 7 32bit should run just fine on 1GB of RAM.

-Kevin

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm going to say Windows 7 64-bit. It's a bit more futureproof.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I'm going to say Windows 7 64-bit. It's a bit more futureproof.

I think you posted that you didn't have problems with it in another thread, but I worry about recommending a 64bit OS to a person who is running a system with 1GB of RAM. The increase in memory usage from 32bit to 64bit on a system with such a small amount of memory makes me uneasy thats all.

-Kevin

 

[Mem]

I would say Win7,mainly because it has better security then XP and that can only be a good thing.

 

[KeypoX]

win 7 32. Or if you really wanna be adventurous then ubuntu. (Comes open office, which can do most of the same things office can for free) Ubuntu 9.10 comes out in 8 days btw.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I'm going to say Windows 7 64-bit. It's a bit more futureproof.

I think you posted that you didn't have problems with it in another thread, but I worry about recommending a 64bit OS to a person who is running a system with 1GB of RAM. The increase in memory usage from 32bit to 64bit on a system with such a small amount of memory makes me uneasy thats all.

-Kevin

Plus, in all likelihood, that machine can only go to 4 GB of RAM max (I am too lazy to look up the motherboard specs), so going 64-bit isn't really going to help this person "futureproof" this machine.

 

[Tsavo]

What is Futureproofing anyway? Making sure something stays in the past?

 

[Tsavo]

Originally posted by: gevorg
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (single core!)
ASUS K8N-E motherboard (nForce3 250Gb chipset)
1GB DDR400 RAM
Geforce fx 5200 AGP video card (128MB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive

This is basically a PC of a close family member that I'm going to "redo". 🙂 Its mainly used for simple home tasks like web, email, ms office, music, videos, etc.

There are basically two choices: Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 Home. Both 32 bit. Trying to decide which OS will be fastest. Disabling visual enhancements like Aero is okay.

1GB won't be enough for W7 once you start actually using it. Put XP on it.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Tsavo

Originally posted by: gevorg
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (single core!)
ASUS K8N-E motherboard (nForce3 250Gb chipset)
1GB DDR400 RAM
Geforce fx 5200 AGP video card (128MB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive

This is basically a PC of a close family member that I'm going to "redo". 🙂 Its mainly used for simple home tasks like web, email, ms office, music, videos, etc.

There are basically two choices: Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 Home. Both 32 bit. Trying to decide which OS will be fastest. Disabling visual enhancements like Aero is okay.

1GB won't be enough for W7 once you start actually using it. Put XP on it.

False. Windows 7 32bit will run just fine with 1GB of RAM. Please don't post random FUD like this with no support.

What is Futureproofing anyway? Making sure something stays in the past?

Essentially getting the best bang for your buck on the hardware/software you buy in hopes that will last the longest amount of time into the future.

-Kevin

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: Tsavo

Originally posted by: gevorg
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (single core!)
ASUS K8N-E motherboard (nForce3 250Gb chipset)
1GB DDR400 RAM
Geforce fx 5200 AGP video card (128MB)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive

This is basically a PC of a close family member that I'm going to "redo". 🙂 Its mainly used for simple home tasks like web, email, ms office, music, videos, etc.

There are basically two choices: Windows XP SP3 or Windows 7 Home. Both 32 bit. Trying to decide which OS will be fastest. Disabling visual enhancements like Aero is okay.

1GB won't be enough for W7 once you start actually using it. Put XP on it.

False. Windows 7 32bit will run just fine with 1GB of RAM. Please don't post random FUD like this with no support.

What is Futureproofing anyway? Making sure something stays in the past?

Essentially getting the best bang for your buck on the hardware/software you buy in hopes that will last the longest amount of time into the future.

-Kevin

I used an old PC( AMD 1700+ cpu) with Win7 RC x86 version with 1GB, it run fine for normal daily stuff.

 

[Zedtom]

I'm testing out a trial install of Windows 7 on an Athlon XP 3200+ single core processor with 1 GB of PC3200 RAM. I can't use the aero eye candy, but I usually operate with the classic theme and most of that bloat disabled anyway.

I think that many users who are sticking to XP out of fear that their ancient hardware will throw a Vista fit will be pleasantly surprised.