Which OS?

[ehume]

Later this month I plan to get a Devil's Canyon CPU and motherboard. I'm going to overclock it. If it is a good vehicle for testing heatsinks, it will get the job. If not, it goes to my daughter.

The question is: which OS? we are now at a time when I can either get a Windows 7-64, or a Windows 8.1-64. Which is better for overclocking? Or does it make a difference?

 

[Techhog]

It doesn't make a difference. Pick whatever you prefer.

 

[Blain]

Zorin OS 8 Premium

 

[OBLAMA2009]

anythang dats phree. i wish chrome os was phree

 

[VirtualLarry]

anythang dats phree. i wish chrome os was phree

http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/

 

[hoorah]

I prefer OS/2 warp.

If you don't mind the Windows 8 interface, you may try to hold out for their next update. It seems MS has been dropping the price in an effort to aid adoption rates. You might score a deal.

 

[bononos]

I don't think overclocking is any better or worse on 8.1. 8.1 is slightly faster in benchmarks, but I don't know if its significant enough in gaming. I would just go with the latest - 8.1.

 

[notty22]

One can d/l a 90 day trial of win 8.1 enterprise to evaluate. It's what I'm running on a 2nd PC/new build while testing hardware.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx

 

[PG]

One can d/l a 90 day trial of win 8.1 enterprise to evaluate. It's what I'm running on a 2nd PC/new build while testing hardware.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx

I second this suggestion. Also after it expires all it does it shut down the computer after an hour of uptime. You just turn it on again for another hour of use. It's not like it stops working period so it's still good for small amounts of shorter benchmarks, and it's great to have on an old hard drive as a backup in case your hose your main OS.

 

[ehume]

Ooh. Thank you. What a great idea. And it fits my usage case, too.

 

[aigomorla]

until windows 9 comes out i will stay on windows 7, as i HATE the dashboard on my PC.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I prefer running linux as my base OS and setting up virtualbox to host Windows. This give me the option of snapshotting windows at various points since it tends to need more supervision.

You could do this the other way around and do Windows with additional windows/linux guests. Most home computers are as powerful now as servers were 5-8 years ago. (multiple cores, lots of RAM, etc). If you have enough RAM and disk, the CPUs can do much more than they're being asked to do unless you're mining bitcoins or doing hardcore graphics/gaming.

 

[sm625]

Also after it expires all it does it shut down the computer after an hour of uptime. You just turn it on again for another hour of use.

Have you tried setting the clock back every half hour?

 

[SlickR12345]

Windows 7 for now, Windows 8 was designed for tablets and not desktops. Wait until Linux gets big next year when Valve and most of the industry move to Linux and alternative DX API's.

 

[SPBHM]

Windows 7 for now, Windows 8 was designed for tablets and not desktops. Wait until Linux gets big next year when Valve and most of the industry move to Linux and alternative DX API's.

windows 8 was designed for both, outside of the "metro" interface the OS is clearly not designed for a tablet, but mouse and keyboard.

but if you are only going to judge the entire OS based on the "start screen" that's your choice.

 

[MarkizSchnitzel]

anythang dats phree. i wish chrome os was phree

is there a single task possible on chrome that would warrant a CPU this fast?

 

[bononos]

until windows 9 comes out i will stay on windows 7, as i HATE the dashboard on my PC.

Can't you change the login screen/start menu with free 3rd party tools?

 

[BonzaiDuck]

My "pose" these days is decidedly retro. Even so, the biggest issue can be driver availability, but that should be less of a problem with Win 8 now -- or no problem. On this matter of drivers, it may be more critical for laptop machines than anything.