Windows 7? Options

[DD-MaliciousMagp...]

Hey all.

I'm planning on making some major updates to my computer during my month long break this winter. I'm hoping to get it as current as I can with as few changes as possible (with my main goal being to have the ability to play MW2). The first thing on my list is reformatting, which should definitely fix a lot of issues. Before doing that though, I need to decide what I'm going to do for the OS. I could stay with XP or I could start over completely fresh with Windows 7.

So..I know it's still a little early to get peoples opinions, but I'm wondering what people think so far, or if anyone's even using it yet? I'm hoping that by January Microsoft will have fixed most of the major issues and that Windows 7 will be the way to go, but I'd like to get some input from you all as well.

Thanks,
MM/EB

[DD-Wrath]

I am using it now and have had no real issues.. although I have only had it for a less than a week. It does seem solid and does not utilize quite as much memory as vista did. Everything has run smoothly. I will update as I learn more. I do think 7 is the way to go.. because of 64 bit and Direct X moving forward.

[ÐÐ-Huntor]

Buy windows 7. You can buy the upgrade and still install it as a full os. You would only need to provide the key code of your old OS.

This has been one of the best OS systems microsoft has released. I have been running it for 11 months. Even in beta and release candidate it has been rock solid. The only issue I had was with the new hp driver for windows 7 with my printer. HP did something wrong but when the supmitted it to microsoft they did it right in that version so when i got it from windows update that not functions correctly. It's not really a direct issue with windows 7 but poor coding by HP.

Also with windows 7 you will have benefits or directx 11. Yes just like windows vista you will need to download updates for directx 9 but that only takes about 5 minutes so not a big deal.

Also windows 7 at least with the upgrade pack I got comes with 32bit and 64bit cd's. Very nice plus in case you can't do one or the other.

Windows 7 is basically vista with many and I mean many fixes. The OS doesnt crank all the time on the hard drive and it powers down into sleep mode and comes right back up for me. OS's before vista Meanings XP was horrible about that.

XP is now what damn near 9-10 years old. Support for most companies have stopped for it. I think you will like 7 as it is more stable then xp will ever be and less restarting is always nice.

[ÐÐ-Torque]

Check with your school, you may be able to get Windows 7 for free. If not and you have a school email account (ends in .edu), you can get the Home or Professional version for 30 bucks.

[DD-MaliciousMagp...]

Awesome thanks guys. Yeah i'm pretty sure I can get windows 7 for free so I'll definitely go that way. If I do a complete fresh install on my computer will I still have to update Direct X? Also, will I have any issues transferring old documents and files from XP to 7? And what are the differences between 32 and 64 bit?

Eventually I may need some help figuring out what some good options are for hardware updates. I'm guessing a new mobo is a neccessity. I'm also thinking atleast 4 gigs ram, cpu and maybe graphics card...so basically the hole deal.

[DD-Wrath]

if you are amd and thinking DDR3... you have to look at this board.. it rocks all the way to China. Just ask Brain haha

Asus board

[DD-Imbuceal2]

If I do a complete fresh install on my computer will I still have to update Direct X?

Define " complete fresh install ", Do you mean from XP to Win7 or 7100 to Win7? I suggest a reformat.

will I have any issues transferring old documents and files from XP to 7?

I recommend saving all important data to a trusty USB or external hard drive, and put them back in after a full reformat.

what are the differences between 32 and 64 bit?

The main reason is that it uses all your available RAM rather than only 3 GB~

I'm guessing a new mobo is a neccessity. I'm also thinking atleast 4 gigs ram, cpu and maybe graphics card...so basically the hole deal.

How much are you planning to spend for a new/updated rig?

[DD-MaliciousMagp...]

Unfortunately I think i'm going to stick with intel Wrath, otherwise I'd definitely look into that board, thanks for the suggestion.

Imbuceal, by fresh install I meant reformat from XP to 7.

So with 64 bit it's faster but uses all the RAM?

I guess my budget is pretty loose, since I'm asking for most of it for christmas, but I'm not looking for the most expensive stuff. Mid end hardware that will let me play MW2 on close to full, if not full settings.

[DD-Imbuceal2]

Unfortunately I think i'm going to stick with intel Wrath, otherwise I'd definitely look into that board, thanks for the suggestion.

Imbuceal, by fresh install I meant reformat from XP to 7.

So with 64 bit it's faster but uses all the RAM?

I guess my budget is pretty loose, since I'm asking for most of it for christmas, but I'm not looking for the most expensive stuff. Mid end hardware that will let me play MW2 on close to full, if not full settings.

The difference between 32- and 64 bit on my rig was that 64 bit actually ran smoother imo.

anyways, What are you dealing with in your computer currently?

[ÐÐ-Huntor]

32bit and 64bit. Like everyone else said the 32bit only supports 4 gigs ram max. That means if you wanted to use 4 gigs of ram and your video card has 512mb your system is going to read the 512mb of ram first then the 4 other gigs. The catch here is it will only see 3.5 gigs of your ram since it looks at the video card first.

64bit has been out since the xp version and is a standard these days. SO 64bit compatibility is no longer an issue. There is no need for 32 bit systems anymore unless you only have a 32bit processor. Any new processors that have come out in the past 4 years are 64bit and your better off using it for many reasons. For one more ram is acceptable. Two it does run smoother. Three those programs that come in 64bit flavor will run better because they too can use the bull 64 bit potential. The downside of 64bit. Programs use more ram to run because 64bit strings use a little more space. But this is very minimal. That is the only catch and you wouldnt really see that much of a difference between the two unless you count a 1 mb or two.