Reformat: OS Suggestions?

[TheXRacer]

If you have checked my system specs lately, you will notice that I am running XP SP3 Pro, I am considering a re format :bsod: and would like your professional opinions on what Operating System I should use next.

 

Any suggestion is welcome, But I currently have 2 OS' to hand: XP Pro x64 And Vista Ultimate x32.

 

Not sure if this is the appropriate place for this thread, If so tell me how I can amend this.

[BobbyV]

Leave Vista alone. The only recommendation is Win 7 Ultimate, 64bit if u wish.

[TheXRacer]

Leave Vista alone. The only recommendation is Win 7 Ultimate, 64bit if u wish.

 

Your Criticisms?

[hpluls]

I use Win 7 Home Premium 32bit (on my laptop) and I'm pretty happy with it. I also used Vista for about a month or so (before upgrading to 7) and didn't encounter any problems, but I know a lot of people did. Also, Vista uses up much more system resources than 7 or XP, so if you play a lot of games, it can make a difference. I'd recommend upgrading to 7, or if you can't, sticking with XP (that's what I have on my gaming rig).

[TheXRacer]

I use Win 7 Home Premium 32bit (on my laptop) and I'm pretty happy with it. I also used Vista for about a month or so (before upgrading to 7) and didn't encounter any problems, but I know a lot of people did. Also, Vista uses up much more system resources than 7 or XP, so if you play a lot of games, it can make a difference. I'd recommend upgrading to 7, or if you can't, sticking with XP (that's what I have on my gaming rig).

 

7 isn't currently an option for me, Like many people on these forums, I don't have the money.

BUT if 7 is all that it's cracked up to be, I might consider it.

[T3hReaper91]

Okay gonna voice my opinion here.

 

Vista is Okay but wouldnt touch it now Win 7 has been released. Windows 7 is what Vista should have been!

 

If you can not afford Windows 7 then i would just stick with XP personally ;)

[GTAMADDOG]

I personally saw hardly any difference between Vista Ultimate 64bit and Windows 7 Ultimate RC 64bit and Home Premium 64bit in terms of stability, not as much as you'd expect in terms of speed either. I never had any problems with Vista which weren't easily solved with common sense or a simple Google Search, but I guess it's down to how individual computers deal with the operating systems.

 

XP's old, it's starting to get on my nerves how people still go on about it like it's the holy grail of operating systems. Yeh, it was good, so what. If you've got the money just move on.

 

From your point of view I'd probably stick with XP but I'd start saving up to move on from it really.

[T3hReaper91]

One of the better part of Win 7 over Vista is that it isnt such a hog on performance :)

[killalldude]

If you can't get 7, I'd suggest to stick with XP. It's not really worth putting money down on outdated OS. Stick with XP untill you can get 7 ;). XP is great anyways.

[Ryzza5]

+1 for Windows 7. Home Premium would probably do you fine. If you're thinking of upgrading to 4GB of RAM then get the 64bit version, otherwise just grab the 32bit version (no price dif), Retail versions (the most expensive type) come with discs for both x86 and x64.

 

If you find a store that sells OEM versions of Windows 7 Home Premium, you should find it pretty cheap. Retail shops usually don't have them, they're mainly found at computer specialist shops. OEM versions are cheaper because they are tied to the computer you install it on. If you sell or throw away your PC, Windows goes with it, and you have to buy it again for the next PC you get.

 

Retail is more expensive, but you can use it on more than one computer (not at the same time, only if you sell or dispose your PC and remove Windows from it). In order to buy OEM some shops enforce the rule that you must buy hardware in the same transaction - most of these are happy for you to get an el'cheapo keyboard, mouse, set of speakers, USB stick, etc to qualify (even though what Microsoft means is that you're supposed to buy a whole computer (or the parts)).

[TDUFREAK500]

so do you need to have 4GB of ram or more to have the 64 bit version??

[Ryzza5]

Unofficially, you need at least 2GB. Most of the benefits from 64-bit computing come when you have the extra RAM. Remember, 32-bit Windows will only see about 3.25GB of RAM (the rest is secretly used behind the scenes).

 

Also, many developers tend to expect more system resources for 64-bit operating systems (i.e. som eSystem Requirement pages say that you need 1GB of RAM, but you need 2GB of RAM for 64-bit). I think this is because games are still 32bit apps, and have to be emulated on Windows 64-bit. More info on the emulator here.

 

If you're concerned about having a dual-core CPU, don't worry, as 32-bit Windows will see and use both cores. The main difference is that 32bit Windows will put ~ 50% of programs on one core, and 50% on the other. If you run Windows 64-bit most of your programs (and games) are still 32bit, so you don't get much benefit, as it works in the same way. The biggest benefit comes when you run 64-bit programs on 64-bit Windows, as the program can run on more than one core at the same time. Video editing programs, for example, are much better if they are 64-bit (even better if they support nVidia CUDA for making use of the GPU as well).

 

/technical lesson

[iLLGT3]

I personally saw hardly any difference between Vista Ultimate 64bit and Windows 7 Ultimate RC 64bit and Home Premium 64bit in terms of stability, not as much as you'd expect in terms of speed either. I never had any problems with Vista which weren't easily solved with common sense or a simple Google Search, but I guess it's down to how individual computers deal with the operating systems.

 

XP's old, it's starting to get on my nerves how people still go on about it like it's the holy grail of operating systems. Yeh, it was good, so what. If you've got the money just move on.

 

From your point of view I'd probably stick with XP but I'd start saving up to move on from it really.

 

+1

 

Best advice. Stay with XP until you can get a hold of 7.

[TDUFREAK500]

What if you have vista and cant afford 7 and Vista is really slowing your machine down cause that is sort of my situation

[TheXRacer]

What if you have vista and cant afford 7 and Vista is really slowing your machine down cause that is sort of my situation

 

Well if you have the RAM, Vista shouldn't technically be letting you down.

 

Tell me, will 2GB of RAM suffice on Vista ultimate? I have already bought it(Present from my cousin in Germany) So should I continue with that:confused:

[Jazzi]

As most people on here have said, if you can't afford Win7, stay with XP. Unless you're desperate to get a new OS.

 

Windows Vista is a total resource hogger. My old laptop had it as standard with 2GB of RAM, and the OS alone was using up 1.4GB of that.

I upgraded to Win7 32bit about a year after I bought the laptop and the usage went down to 0.8GB.

I now have a new laptop running Win7 64bit with 3GB RAM and its using up just over 1GB.

[TDUFREAK500]

Wll mananged to convince my Mum to get 7 for our computer :happyroll: just have to wait for the PC to backup then I can set it up

[Gdsamp]

Tell me, will 2GB of RAM suffice on Vista ultimate? I have already bought it(Present from my cousin in Germany) So should I continue with that:confused:

I doubt it. This may be a my PC issue, but it kept crashing with 2GB RAM on Vista Home Premium. Upgrade your RAM if you're thinking about Vista Ultimate.

[alex.ro]

win 7 is da best soo...i choose it :thumbsup:

[superhyper]

And this thread is half a year old soooo....look at the last post date next time before you post :btup

[eXile]

7 isn't currently an option for me, Like many people on these forums, I don't have the money.

BUT if 7 is all that it's cracked up to be, I might consider it.

 

Who said you have to buy it :cheeky:

 

And Win 7 64x is the way to go, the rest sucks :)

[Ryzza5]

Who said you have to buy it :cheeky:

Who said you didn't? :dontsteal:

[eXile]

Who said you didn't? :dontsteal:

 

The person that didn't want to spend money on an OS...:run:

 

:D