New Gaming Computer. Vista or XP?

[rasmasyean]

Here's some latest statistics on Gaming:


A March 2009 survey by Valve Corporation indicated that of the 36.36% of gamers running Windows Vista, 26.40% run 32-bit, 9.96% run 64-bit. 64-bit represents over one third of the Vista install base.
http://store.steampowered.com/hwsurvey/

 

[allenw1223]

It's about addressable Ram.
XP 32 bit can only address 3 gig +-
Vista 64 bit can address 64 gig at least I believe.

 

[rasmasyean]

It's about addressable Ram.
XP 32 bit can only address 3 gig +-
Vista 64 bit can address 64 gig at least I believe.

It's 2^64. But Vista still has a limit below:

It's 8000 GB.

You can only have 128GB of physical RAM, but it's 8000 GB for virtual memory for user processes and 8000 GB for kernel memory

 

[allenw1223]

Ok, so it looks like most people have slowly changed to accpeting Vista as superior as it progressed and became more stable. Is that the general consensus?
Also I've notices i nthe system builder series here at TH they use Vista 32mb - is that just for comparison reason? Any reason I should not use Vista 64?

Also, someone mentioned drivers. I know these were a problem in early vista days but is it hard to find video drivers and updates for vista 64 now?

It's about addressable Ram.
XP 32 bit can only address 3 gig +-
Vista 64 bit can address 64 gig at least I believe.

 

[winrot]

Two years after my original post and my favorite topic is going strong. Once again let me say a stickie post in Toms Hardware is my biggest accomplishment in life . . . I'll have to see if I can add it to my resume. Of course i kid.

For what its worth, I would like to share my experiences over the past two years and hopefully it might once again be useful to people with this same question. Currently my system dual boots with Vista and XP and I have determined that this is the best solution. I have to say I use Vista more and I usually prefer using Vista to XP--even with games. Perhaps just a personal preference.

The basic breakdown is that most modern games will work in vista just fine and after playing the game on both XP and Vista I don't notice a difference in performance. Older games usually work in vista but some times there are problems which kind of give a headache. When these come up i can almost always get the game to work in XP without problem. (this is understandable because its an older game). the breakdown of failures is small though. I would say of the games I play, about 85% work just fine in vista.

So short answer, Don't be afraid of vista, it's not bad. But if you like older games, plan on at least having a dual boot with XP just in case you cant get it to work in Vista.

 

[virtual-slay3r]

If your building a new system then I would recommend Vista Home Premium. Windows XP will play today's games better that stands to reason, but tomorrows games will be a different story specially when DX10 games go mainstream.

I would NEVER recommend vista home premium, if you are upgrading to vista or just want to upgrade to vista, buy the ultimate edition. You'll thank me later.

 

[Milos-stancene]

I would NEVER recommend vista home premium, if you are upgrading to vista or just want to upgrade to vista, buy the ultimate edition. You'll thank me later.

WHY?

 

[rasmasyean]

Two years after my original post and my favorite topic is going strong. Once again let me say a stickie post in Toms Hardware is my biggest accomplishment in life . . . I'll have to see if I can add it to my resume. Of course i kid.

For what its worth, I would like to share my experiences over the past two years and hopefully it might once again be useful to people with this same question. Currently my system dual boots with Vista and XP and I have determined that this is the best solution. I have to say I use Vista more and I usually prefer using Vista to XP--even with games. Perhaps just a personal preference.

The basic breakdown is that most modern games will work in vista just fine and after playing the game on both XP and Vista I don't notice a difference in performance. Older games usually work in vista but some times there are problems which kind of give a headache. When these come up i can almost always get the game to work in XP without problem. (this is understandable because its an older game). the breakdown of failures is small though. I would say of the games I play, about 85% work just fine in vista.

So short answer, Don't be afraid of vista, it's not bad. But if you like older games, plan on at least having a dual boot with XP just in case you cant get it to work in Vista.

Congratulations on your accomplishment! And good luck job hunting these day! hehe.

Yeah, this question (not just for gaming) comes up all the time all over the place. It's a pitty people don't do a bit of searching before posting. But it helps when you sticky something like this and I'm sure it eliminated over a hundred repeat threads.

 

[gregdais]

windows xp is faster os than windows vista, but if you choose xp you wouldnt have dx10 and many issues with new games that require windows vista.

 

[Zoron]

Apparently, someone didn't read the thread. The difference between the two is NEGLIGABLE. Windows XP wins some, Vista wins others... but the difference is usually less than 10%. In other words, not worth mentioning. You're always better off getting the latest OS possible... especially when the old one doesn't run any better on your hardware.

 

[abc_1]

HP, Lenovo, DELL and Sony Windows 7 Upgrade program
Upgrade windows 7 program is no good, when you buy a new computer from HP, Lenovo, DELL and Sony, you will get quick recovery copy, for example: if you replaced the hard drive to new or you have a super virus or more, you can put the recovery media in DVD drive restart the computer, after up to 30 minutes you have a new system and all drivers include service programs is installed, fast and easy, but if you have an Upgrade of windows 7 and you replaced the hard drive to new or you have a super virus or more, you start with recovery of windows vista up to 30 minutes then you continue to windows 7 Upgrade up to 60 minutes (Upgrade needed a lot of time), then you needed to install new drivers (only if you have a problem), how needs it had pain, all computers have needs to reinstall the windows at least of minimum one time in a year for maximum preferment (depend of computer work burden), so fest recovery it is up to 30 minutes and Upgrade recovery it is up to 90, and you cannot go to drink a café you must replace the DVD and more, windows back up is not good because it is work whit windows original DVD only not the recovery DVD, so the best thing to do is do not buy a new computer or windows vista (windows vista is true garbage ) and wait to 22 of October, or if Microsoft is to consider to release the windows 7 only on OEM computers like HP, Lenovo, DELL and Sony for little early like on 22 of September, so do it please because no vista and no Upgrade for work it, your old computer yes can hold one or two months more, if not go for XP or Linux for two months .

 

[Kommandant45]

I say Vista, right now. But just wait for Windows 7, it is probably a bit better for gaming than both of them.

 

[kyleplum_46]

Vista

 

[Canuck1]

Vista is a POS. There are numerous hardware and drivers that aren't supported by Vista as Mikey$oft decided not to and the fact many computer companies decided to have downgrade-to-XP options just proves that Vista is totally useless unless you HAVE TO use Windows only and it has to be 64-bit. There really isn't any other reason to use it.

You could wait for 7 if you need Winblows but then it's only a 'modded' Vista so it might be better and at least, it is not Vista exactly.

 

[Zoron]

Many companies just barely completed migrating to XP... so of course they aren't going to be migrating to Vista any time soon. This is no indication of the quality of the OS... that's just how business moves when it comes to integrating new software. Platforms go through years of development and testing before they deployed in the field. Using that to say Vista is bad means your opinion is grossly uninformed.

How old is this hardware that isn't supported? Five years? Ten years? Yeah, I thought so. Just because your printer or scanner or whatever hasn't died in 15 years doesn't mean you should expect to see drivers for every new OS on the market for it.

 

[rasmasyean]

Many companies just barely completed migrating to XP... so of course they aren't going to be migrating to Vista any time soon. This is no indication of the quality of the OS... that's just how business moves when it comes to integrating new software. Platforms go through years of development and testing before they deployed in the field. Using that to say Vista is bad means your opinion is grossly uninformed.

How old is this hardware that isn't supported? Five years? Ten years? Yeah, I thought so. Just because your printer or scanner or whatever hasn't died in 15 years doesn't mean you should expect to see drivers for every new OS on the market for it.

The US Army is scheduled to complete Vista (and Office 2007) migration of 744,000 desktops by the end of 2009.

http://infosecurity.us/?p=8805

 

[rasmasyean]

Update on gamer survey.

A July 2009 survey by Valve Corporation indicated that 43.37% of gamers are running Windows Vista or Windows 7 beta (36.62% of which are 64-bit versions).[92]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vista

 

[stephny]

Vista experience turns into consumer nightmare to me. I do not want to explore the wonders of the Sidebar, don't care about a raft of "cool" new applets, and don't know a user account control from a spreadsheet.

 

[Zoron]

Then by all means stay mired in the past. Change happens... you either adapt or get left behind... one of the laws of nature.

 

[n00b109]

neither NEITHER

personaly.....i would wait until windows 7 comes out in oct.....xp is old and vvista has bugs but 7 is perfect

 

[Scotteq]

...not to mention this thread is a couple years old... 😉

 

[rasmasyean]

...not to mention this thread is a couple years old... 😉

Yeah, XP is pretty much out of the question.

There should be a new one that is titled: New Gaming Computer, Vista or wait for 7?

 

[expensive gamer]

Why not dual boot? i agree xp is soo much better than vista but it doesn't have direct x 10. it may not be much of a leap from direct x 9 but it is better when it comes to quality gaming.

 

[SlapHappyJesus]

If your looking into something pretty powerful, then you might want to take the the higher graphical capabilities that vista allows through DirectX10. If your looking for less headaches, then xp.

 

[bgd73]

Hey folks. I could really use some advice. I am making a new gaming computer. (And really, I am mostly using it for gaming and music). I have to purchase a new OS anyway, should I upgrade to Vista or Stick with XP. Is DX 10 the must have for future games?

If I go with Vista, What version should I get. Do I need Ultimate or will Home premium do?

If I do get Vista what prices are reasonable? Are there any downsides to OEM versions?

Thanks for the help.

vista premium. no less, if to go for xp, go for pro, no less. you WILL have a little machine going less than those versions. I have had all of them...

the hardware, if to buy new is all larger, but if to go for older, be sure at least 1mb l2 cache in the cpu, and the 8x agp, the rest is history.