New Gaming Computer. Vista or XP?

[rsetter1]

2 cents worth.

Vista is nice looking and has alot of new features.
To use it to its full potential most people will have to do some hardware upgrade if not a full upgrade. Good for the industry.
Drivers are slowly being made avaiable. The Horse got in front of the cart.
Some programs will not work. Causing the consumer to purchase newer versions of software. Also good for the industry.
The downside for us is that maybe we dont want or can't afford to upgrade everything especially when everything works fine now. Like doing a BIOS upgrade.
Also there are many bugs to work out and we are the guinny pigs, how do you spell that word?
I like Vista but I went back to XP.

 

[Toosly]

Kind of a somewhat off-topic question but:

If I just built a new computer (q6600, 8800gts, 2 gigs RAM, yada yada..), and could get Vista Business through my school for free, should I go for it? Or should I fork out the cash for a different version or even Windows XP? Future proofing is certainly a concern for me.

 

[dsharp9000]

thats a good way of putting it resetter1

 

[Zoron]

Toosly:

If you can get it free, go for it. If worse comes to worse and you find you don't like it... you can always sell it and use the money to purchase XP.

😉

 

[Scotteq]

If you have a good computer running XP now, then don't bother with the "upgrade". There's only 1 DX-10 game on the public market (Lost Planet) as of yet, and only a couple more titles which are supposed to be out for the end of the year. Your DX-9.x system will run these games just fine, and the couple of tests I've seen on the web comparing DX9 and 10 systems don't show all that much of an improvement. But it is unclear how well, and how *much* DX-10 is actually implemented in the game. Not to mention that this game is ported over from X Box, and not actually written for PC.

DX-9 wins for Lost Planet:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTM3MSwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==


Having said that: If you are building a new system which you (obviously!) intend on using for some time, then strongly consider Vista to future proof yourself. I have it, and my system runs NWN2, Oblivion, etc, just fine.


Of course, there's nothing to prevent you from setting up your existing XP HDD to dual boot...


Hope that helps

 

[african_leopard]

When I built my new PC I went with Vista Ultimate and loaded 64 bit. I am even running the original Baldur's Gate (not even in compatibility mode) with no issues. I did not see a reason for buying XP and then Vista at a later point - it works out quite expensive. The only hardware I couldn't get a driver for from the manufacturer was for Razer Boomslang mouse...It's a ball mouse anyway - so it was no major loss...

 

[dukethepcdr]

There is some very interesting discussion going on on several boards about this very issue. After studying the whole XP vs Vista issue online as well as in computer and gaming mags, I still think XP is the better OS to go with for now. We're kind of in the same boat we were in back when Windows 98 was king and XP was the new OS on the block. Back then, there was a lot of hardware being sold without XP drivers and a lot of games that hadn't been optimized to take advantage of XP's features at that time. Now, XP is the mature OS and Vista is the new kid. It'll be a couple more years before Vista is the OS of choice. Until game studios make great games that use DX 10, more affordable video cards using DX 10 come out and until Vista is available in 64 bit with software programs that take advantage of 64 bit tech to go along with it, I see no reason to mess with Vista. Putting Vista in a gaming rig that has parts more optimized for use with XP than with Vista would be like trying to put a hemi engine in an old Dodge Dakota. It's possible, but not worth the effort when an older, cheaper, more compatible engine is still available.

 

[dsharp9000]

one question i have with regards to the dx10 game "lost planet", is that i dont think it really exists other than "demo" or if it does it offers little enhancement over what we are getting with dx9. Also there is talk of dx10.1 -- what happens to your dx10 video card if dx 10.1 becomes the standard. Personally, until something comes out other than a "demo" that shatters what i can do with xp. i see no reason to move..

 

[ddaw735]

But if your building a new rig they buuy vista its cheaper. Xp cost more to buy and you are going to have to upgrade. Also the people who who say stick with xp do you have a 8 series graphics? If so why?

 

[mito]

vista all the way.....

 

[crewzen]

for now XP is better. but that will change as time goes on and better drivers are released. DX10 will probably be a must have in the future, but right now no games have it and the ones slated to have it won't come out until the end of the year, and even then they will still support dx9.

The only downside to OEM is that you don't get manuals, and also I don't think you get customer service. Otherwise it's the same exact software. If you are familiar with computers I'd go OEM as it's much much cheaper.

I went and wasted 400 on ultimate and there are no manuals either. Support ha ha ha.

 

[Zoron]

Manuals are overrated anyway... if you've used Windows XP, you'll know how to use Windows Vista. MS doesn't radically change the functionality of its OS... just the look.

Support? Hardly anyone I know calls MS for support anyway. On the few occasions that I've contacted MS tech support via email... they have always been extremely helpful and they always followed up to make sure I had the problem resolved.

 

[DeathMunky]

YERRR XP RULES!! C'MON XP VISTA SUKS BALLS!

 

[leexgx]

i Still Stick With Xp for an gameing rig Vista does not offer an + unless you want DX10 maybe an little more secruity for Norm users who do not know how to use an pc (but the security ends once thay ignore the UAC msg and click ok/allow then the Vista needs an format and reload)

Vista
takes longer for vista to boot up
if you not got 2-4 hdds in RAID 0 pc going to be boged down untill superfetch has cached up
you realy should use 3gb/4gb ram for Vista gameing to be lag/jumpy free
you Must keep on top of updates (but windows does give option driver updates via windows updates)
you need an PC that is 10% faster then XP pc to get the same performance as xp in vista
ALot of older devices do not work that are Very commen that should of been apart of vista setup (that are Plug in play with no internet on XP ant on Vista)

{{{MS doesn't radically change the functionality of its OS... just the look}}}

got to be kiddin thay chaged alot to confuse alot of users (first queston pops into mind where add and remove programs heh/next queston why is my network not working) Vista get there some day but maybe after SP2

the Bug with DX9 and WDDM should be rels as an Important update as well
http://forums.ngemu.com/software-discussion/92756-vista-memory-usage-reducing-hotfix.html
and
Welcome to AnandTech.com [ Article: A Messy Transition: Practical Problems With 32bit Addressing In Windows]
Welcome to AnandTech.com [ Article: A Messy Transition (Part 2): Windows XP, Vista, and the 2GB Barrier]
Welcome to AnandTech.com [ Article: A Messy Transition (Part 3): Vista Buys Some Time] << this one is about the patch other ones are related to it (part one and two good read)

 

[dsharp9000]

In general, what is going on is that microsoft could of re - released xp under a different guise and we would be seeing awesome graphic right now. But this was not done due to certain other considerations, so xp as well as vista users are left with nothing other than waiting for what vista might be able to do.

 

[Da_junka]

I have had Vista installed for months, At first I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread , in other words I believed the hype. Then one day I woke up and realised, I had unknowingly down graded my PC by installing Vista, apart from pretty graphic and a few bells and whistles plus problems Vista is a useless bloatware and totally unnecessary. I have now gone back to XP which may not be as pretty as Vista but out performs Vista in performance and reliability. When you buy Vista all you do is buy into problems and line MS pockets, they would have been better bringing forward XP sp3, Vista is a dog.

 

[sirgrotius]

If you're getting an 8800 series card, I'd recommend Windows Vista. Yes, your framerate might not be quite as high, but with a blazing fast card you won't notice a significant difference and you'll be future proofed.

 

[leexgx]

maybe but i got Vista and XP dual booting and Vista sucks an little
only problem i still have is Sond crackling when useing mic

i may get used to it but problems are still there things just do not work as fast as XP

 

[notherdude]

I vote Vista. I play every game I want to just fine and dandy. There are no doubt some exceptions. You are gettimng a dx 10 card and I suspect dx 10 is coming sooner than some may suggest here (crysis) and do you really want to buy a new OS and reinstall later just to avoid a few possible bugs which frankly, as a heavy gamer, I am simply not getting to any annoying degree.

It's a judgemnet call but my experience and many others should tell you at least not to be scared of Visat despite what some dogmatists will tell you.

 

[joshua90]

Winrot, you do what ever you think is best for you. I myself am staying with XP for at least a little bit longer. I don't have anything against Vista, It seems to work pretty good, the few times that I've used it, keep in mind I don't yet have a PC with Vista, so I've not had nearly as much time with it as some other people on this forum. The reason why I'm staying with XP a little bit longer is because I'm waiting for some more of the bugs to be worked out, and I don't really see any need to jump right into it. XP still works fine for me, and I know that it will work with the PC games that I like to play. That being said, this time next year I think that almost every new game will require Vista. So I think it all comes down to this, do you want to go with Vista now, deal with a few little problems, and not have to upgrade next year, or do you want to go with XP now, know that most of the games will work, and not mass with Vista until next year it's your call.

 

[Alex The PC Gamer]

Wow, many Vista haters in this forum.

 

[Alex The PC Gamer]

For those that are building a new gaming machine, I will recommend the best 2 scenarios according to what kind of gamer you are and how deep your pockets are.

Scenario 1 - You'll only settle for the high resolution + max graphics on a widescreen monitor (AND you have deep pockets).

Recommendation:
Get yourself a dual boot Windows XP 32 bit and Windows Vista 64 bit. XP will allow you to have a fallback in case vista doesn't work out for you. Vista on the other hand will provide you with some eye candies especially with titles such as Crysis and many other titles coming up in 2008.

Reasoning:
Windows Vista 64 bit will take full advantage of the new Quad Processors and therefore will process threads much faster for an overall good performance value. Upcoming big titles (2008 titles) will take advantage of multicore processing...especially when calculating advanced physics and AI in a game. However, when purchasing your components such as sound card, network card (or adapter) and so on, you will have to not only look at price and performance but COMPATIBILITY. This would be my biggest issue with Vista-64. Today, many components don't run at their full potential because their provider did not write Vista 64 bit drivers and in some cases, the components are simply not compatible with Vista-64, or are forced to be run under the 32-bit simulator in Vista. The simulator DOES slow performance a lot which explains why people find their PC soooo sloooow in Vista-64…but is semi-compatible I guess.

Windows XP 32 bit is the best Gamers OS today. Stable, makes your last generation PC look fast and all drivers and software compatible. Nonetheless, it’s the OS to fall back to should you have issues with 64-bit of Vista.

-------------------------

Scenario 2 - You wish you had 2000$+ to spend on a PC for the next generation but you don't (Using 17" or 19" monitor).

Recommendation:
Stick with Windows XP 32-bit and us it as your main OS. If you dual boot then get Windows Vista 32-bit as it is indeed a pretty good OS and is somewhat stable for new components. Keep in mind that I am not referring to older components because that would be a whole new story!

Reasoning:
XP will most likely be your main OS and the software developers do come up with some pretty good graphics under DX 9 compatible games (which is pretty much every game until very late next year or more). On the other hand, Vista 32-bit will take good advantage of your Dual Core CPU and is more “driver support friendly” than his big brother, Vista 64-bit.

Scenario 1 - Hardcore PC

Nota 1: When building your machine, check and make sure that every component you are buying has drivers available in Vista 64-bit usually found on the producer's official support website. For instance, I had a pretty hard time finding a simple USB Wiresless Network adapter that held Vista-64 bit drivers. I, on the other hand, don’t have any networking issues like many I have seen in this forum.

Nota 2: Vista Ready is only a marketing scam and does not necessarily mean that drivers are available in Vista 64-bit. So make sure you have downloadable drivers FOR 64-bit.

Scenario 2 - High-End PC

Nota 1: If you use XP-32 bit as your main OS, don't waste money on even the cheapest Quad CPU as it will not use it even near to its potential. Buy a much better dual core and you will get equal to better results.

Nota 2: General rule: AMD CPUs and ATI Videocards are cheaper but will provide less performance than the equivalent in Intel CPUs and Nvidia Videocards which are much more expensive. I recommend comparing products with Tomshardare benchmarks and similar sites to find the best price-performance value according to your budget.

Finally, if you have the cash to burn then go big. Who wants to build a gaming PC that would only last a year? Well many of us don't play the Crysis games and will settle with less power hungry games such as HL2. So it all comes down to what kind of gamer you are (or will be for the next year).

Hope this helps!

 

[munkus]

Some great advice and comments in this thread so far. Just adding my $0.02. I've been running Vista x64 with an 8800GTX and 4GB RAM for about 3 months now and can honestly say I've never had a more stable system. All my games run great. Just my experience and as always your mileage may vary.

 

[Bobjeee]

i even wouldnt consider xp
thats, when u want a computer that isnt a total joke in the future year

cmon, only vista supports directx10 and its a total wast of money to buy a 8800gt and afterwards letting it drive under xp with directx9

 

[kuliddar]

My 2cents worth on the matter:

I got my new computer 2 months ago. It's from Dell so Vista came by default on my new rig. I was a little hesitante but I figure, heck, if I hate Vista I'll reformat and install my older XP OS that's all. Afterall, I've read and heard so much negative things on it it gave doubts.

2 months later I can say that I have had on very minor issues with Vista and that overall, it runs well. Indeed my computer is brand new so that will explain it. However, I can still run older games like Master of Orion 2 on it with no glitches. The only issue I have had right now is with Outlook 2002 that can't save the username and password when you first open it for your session. It's a minor thing though and I was actually thinking of upgrading to 2007 as I loved what I have tried on the demo. Ditto and slow booting though.

If I hadn't changed computers though I have to admit I would of stuck with XP. There would of been no way, Vista would have ran correctly on it. Moral of the story, if you get a brand new computer, you might as well get Vista.