XP or Vista?

[aplefka]

I'm getting ready to slowly build a new rig and I'm not sure which OS to go with. I'm using Vista on my laptop and other than the annoying administrator popups every time I do anything, I can't really tell whether or not I like it yet. The new system would be mostly for gaming and basic use. Not planning on using it for video editing/other CPU intensive stuff like that.

Pros of getting XP is that I'm familiar with it and it's cheaper. Cons would be that I would most likely get 32-bit, unless someone could explain to me why I would want 64-bit.

Potential Specs:
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-UD4H AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI
CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8Ghz
RAM*: 2 GB (1x1GB) G.skill DDR2 800
Video Card*: MSI 8600GTS
PSU*: Thermaltake TR2 430w
Probably going to be running 2 optical drives and 2-3 hard drives, all SATA
*from old system, will upgrade when financially possible

 

[zerocool84]

You could go XP64 if you want but make sure you check to see if there are even drivers for all the stuff you're going to buy. XP64 is not widely supported. I would never recommend XP 64-bit to anyone. If you're getting to get an OEM version than the only difference is that XP 32bit is only $10 cheaper than Vista 32 or 64bit and XP64 is more expensive than all of them.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: aplefka
I'm getting ready to slowly build a new rig and I'm not sure which OS to go with. I'm using Vista on my laptop and other than the annoying administrator popups every time I do anything, I can't really tell whether or not I like it yet. The new system would be mostly for gaming and basic use. Not planning on using it for video editing/other CPU intensive stuff like that.

Currently looking at an AMD Phenom X3 720 2.8GHz CPU if that has any bearing at all.

Pros of getting XP is that I'm familiar with it and it's cheaper. Cons would be that I would most likely get 32-bit, unless someone could explain to me why I would want 64-bit.

Vista x64 is my recommendation right now,better security and can handle 4GB+ ram are two good reasons IMHO.


As to UAC you can download and try TWEAK-UAC

 

[aplefka]

Have any updates to Vista made these results change significantly? After reading that I all but decided to go with XP 32-bit. That article was published long enough ago that it might not be as bad anymore.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Have any updates to Vista made these results change significantly? After reading that I all but decided to go with XP 32-bit. That article was published long enough ago that it might not be as bad anymore.

2 years old in the tech world is an eternity. I would take everything that article says with a grain of salt.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Have any updates to Vista made these results change significantly? After reading that I all but decided to go with XP 32-bit. That article was published long enough ago that it might not be as bad anymore.

There is no reason to be running XP at this point, go with V64 or W764

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: Crusty
2 years old in the tech world is an eternity. I would take everything that article says with a grain of salt.

Yeah that's why I asked. But I really haven't been following all the updates to Vista nor had I done any research into performance until last night.

Originally posted by: bsobel
There is no reason to be running XP at this point, go with V64 or W764

I've seen arguments for NOT going the 64-bit route though. Can you give me a reason or two why I would want to do this?

Edit: I just found an article that says iTunes/other Apple software isn't currently compatible with any 64-bit Windows OS. Things like this would make me lean towards 32, although the article is old and I'm sure the problem has since been fixed.

Also, forgot to mention that I do play games that run OpenGL and I've read that Vista doesn't support OpenGL anymore. How big of a performance hit would I notice?

 

[bsobel]

Edit: I just found an article that says iTunes/other Apple software isn't currently compatible with any 64-bit Windows OS. Things like this would make me lean towards 32, although the article is old and I'm sure the problem has since been fixed.

Not true. You really need to look at current articles.

 

[lxskllr]

I've been running Vista64 since Oct 07, and everything I've installed works fine. Using 3dMark06 I benched Vista32 and XP32 in June 07, and Vista got slightly better marks, but in reality they were equal.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: bsobel
Not true. You really need to look at current articles.

I've just been reading everything I can find via Google. Like I said, I figured that problem had been fixed. My main concern right now is how older games (Diablo 2, even Starcraft) would run on 64-bit.

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I've been running Vista64 since Oct 07, and everything I've installed works fine. Using 3dMark06 I benched Vista32 and XP32 in June 07, and Vista got slightly better marks, but in reality they were equal.

What do you primarily use your computer for?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Just use Win7 beta until Vista SP2 (aka Win7 final) is released. Then do a clean install of Win7.

 

[aplefka]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Just use Win7 beta until Vista SP2 (aka Win7 final) is released. Then do a clean install of Win7.

I don't know anything about Win7 which is why it hasn't entered the discussion. Also I'm hesitant to use a beta OS. Can you direct me to a link that would be a good source of current information regarding Win7?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: aplefka

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Just use Win7 beta until Vista SP2 (aka Win7 final) is released. Then do a clean install of Win7.

I don't know anything about Win7 which is why it hasn't entered the discussion. Also I'm hesitant to use a beta OS. Can you direct me to a link that would be a good source of current information regarding Win7?

It's Vista, only a lot better. That's all I know of Win7.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: aplefka


What do you primarily use your computer for?

General BS, no real work. I play games, watch movies, listen to music... I don't use Apple anything, and I don't own an Ipod. It works with the Zune though.

 

[The Keeper]

Originally posted by: aplefka
My main concern right now is how older games (Diablo 2, even Starcraft) would run on 64-bit.

Old games and other applications are always a hit and miss on any modern OS. If Vista doesn't run them, install a virtual machine like VirtualBoxand run older OS on it where you can install old games. DosBox is also excellent choice if the game is a DOS game.

 

[aplefka]

Based off of this thread and what current things I've read, it seems Vista is definitely the way to go, although I'm still hung up on 32 vs 64.

 

[lxskllr]

If it were me, I'd get more ram, and Vista64, or Win7-64. Ram's too cheap to not max out your system. I prefer Vista to Win7, but that's personal preference. The Win7 RC should be coming out shortly, or if you know someone who's downloaded the beta, you can get it from them. It's free to try, so you can give it a run for a couple of weeks, and see if it meets your needs.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Based off of this thread and what current things I've read, it seems Vista is definitely the way to go, although I'm still hung up on 32 vs 64.

I'm gamer first and last count was 120 games installed ,I also do beta games testing and to be honest can't really afford to have any serious issues,Vista has been solid and stable in my 2 years of use....I don't see why you don't go Vista x64,drivers etc have come a long way over last 2 years.


Only downside with x64 version is no legacy 16 bit support so very old 16 bit games won't run,however ways around that etc..

Btw SP2 for Vista is due very soon as well.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Mem

Originally posted by: aplefka
Based off of this thread and what current things I've read, it seems Vista is definitely the way to go, although I'm still hung up on 32 vs 64.

I'm gamer first and last count was 120 games installed ,I also do beta games testing and to be honest can't really afford to have any serious issues,Vista has been solid and stable in my 2 years of use....I don't see you don't go Vista x64,drivers etc have come a long way over last 2 years.


Only downside with x64 version is no legacy 16 bit support so very old 16 bit games won't run,however ways around that etc..

Btw SP2 for Vista is due very soon as well.

I have no problems running Starcraft and Diablo 2 on Vista64. It's a great OS.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Based off of this thread and what current things I've read, it seems Vista is definitely the way to go, although I'm still hung up on 32 vs 64.

If you'll never upgrade to 4gig or more (on this machine) then 32bit is fine. If you plan on upgrading later, just go 64bit now so you wont have to reinstall when you do (you cant upgrade 32 to 64)....

 

[The Keeper]

Originally posted by: aplefka
Based off of this thread and what current things I've read, it seems Vista is definitely the way to go, although I'm still hung up on 32 vs 64.

64-bit definitely.

 

[aplefka]

Alright thanks for the help guys. Probably gonna order my stuff from the egg tomorrow and put it together next week.

 

[ViRaLRuSh]

I just took a dive into the Vista 64 world...it's not bad.

Only thing that bugs me is how everything gets a pop-up asking if I want to run it....soooo annoying.

 

[MadRat]

There is no reason you shouldn't go Linux on your new rig other than for games I'm guessing. If I truly wanted windows on a rig in the process of being built then I'd go for the Windows 7 beta and hold out for the full release, biding me time until March 2010. In this way I will not be buying an extra license for something that is either EOL or pretty much overpriced to say the least. Its pretty hard to knock the latest Linux distributions.