What Windows is better on core i5-750?

[akula2]

Dear Friends,

I have another problem in selecting the OS for the planned core i5-750 PCs...please suggest:

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116760

OR

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116756

OR

Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 32-bit for System Builders - OEM - $137
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

I am little inclined to go for Win7 Pro but am scared a little courtesy MS Vista experience

Thanks,
~akula2

 

[cjl]

Win 7, 64 bit.

 

[siliconvideo]

All the OS's you mentioned are 32 bit only. You really need to step to the 64 bit flavors of Win 7. I'd recommend Win 7 64 bit home premium for you average home set up.

32 bit OS's will only give up to about 3.5 GMb main memory, while 64 bits will handle the max your motherboard supports.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

+1 for the above posts. You do NOT want to use a 32-bit OS for a new build. I would go with one of these:

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $104.99

or

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM $139.99

Here's the comparison of the different versions of Windows 7:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare

 

[akula2]

+1 for the above posts. You do NOT want to use a 32-bit OS for a new build. I would go with one of these:

Oops! It was a silly typo...all choices meant to be 64-bit in my post 🙁

Here's the comparison of the different versions of Windows 7:

Phew! I did freeze Windows 7 Pro 64-bit - Pack for System Builders - OEM.

Kindly note that I need to import this software from the US portals like Newegg. I never brought this type of version, will they sell to individuals (am not a system builder!)? Should I need to produce extra paperwork etc?

Thanks again,

~akula2

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yes, individuals can buy the OEM versions of Windows. That's all I ever use on my builds.

 

[akula2]

Yes, individuals can buy the OEM versions of Windows. That's all I ever use on my builds.

Sure, I resolved one issue then...thanks

 

[geofelt]

1) Do you qualify for an academic license?
If so, you can get W7 at a discounted price.
2) Look for an upgrade version of home premium instead of OEM.
Upgrade is a retail version which gives you support from microsoft, unlike OEM(AKA system builder),
and allows a more hassel-free ability to transfer the os to a different pc(motherboard).
Upgrade will come with both a 32 bit dvd and a 64 bit dvd.
There is a legitimate two step instalation process to install an upgrade version without a previous OS.
You install vista from the dvd, but do not initially enter the product code.

Just tell the install which version you bought, and do not activate.
After it installs, you have a fully functional OS for 30 days.
Step 2 is to insert the cd again, while running W7 and then do an upgrade.
This time, enter your product code, and activate.
After activation. you may delete the initial version which is named windows.old.

3) Do you possibly need Ultimate? There are very few features that the home user would want.
Check out the differences on the microsoft W7 web site.
If you get a retail or upgrade version, you will still be able to upgrade to ultimate later.

 

[akula2]

1) Do you qualify for an academic license?

No, am a researcher and those planned PCs are meant for my scientific staff in a Pharma company. Actually, am gonna phase out 5 year+ old Intel 875P based PCs. I need 20 numbers for them and 1 for me in the office. First, I must assemble 1 PC and test it thoroughly (with a little OC upto 4.2 GHz too), with a few simulation tools etc. and the Graphics card results (important to us).

Look for an upgrade version of home premium instead of OEM.
Upgrade is a retail version which gives you support from microsoft, unlike OEM(AKA system builder)

You added quite a good points, thank you so much. Those PCs have WinXP Pro (think corporate license), now I would like to buy new licenses without any upgrade option because we need fresh installed PCs, it's a must for those R&D guys). So, I would like to go for Windows 7 Pro x64 (willing to take little $ hit). So, you suggest a Retail DVD is better than a OEM one?

Do you possibly need Ultimate? There are very few features that the home user would want.

Do I need Ultimate? No, am almost sure that Win 7 Pro is more than good enough for the daily R&D requirements. But, I saw modeling/simulation apps work with better efficiency on a x64 PC compared to x32. I don't know whether Windows 7 Pro works as x64 PC with 4 GB RAM or not? I read somewhere I have to install more than 4 GB RAM to get the x64 feature. If that's the case, I might go for 8 GB RAM since a member here said that 6 GB RAM (2x3) DDR3-1333 MHz Dual Channel memory is incompatible! Could you please confirm on these points?

Thank again,

~akula2

 

[shortstuff_mt]

I don't know where you've been reading, but whether you install a 64-bit or 32-bit OS has nothing to do with how much RAM the system has. You can install a 64-bit OS on a system with 2GB of RAM, but it wouldn't make any sense to do so. We recommend a 64-bit OS with 4GB of RAM so you can fully use all 4GB of RAM.

64-bit Windows 7 Pro will work just fine with 4GB of RAM.

 

[akula2]

64-bit Windows 7 Pro will work just fine with 4GB of RAM.

You are correct I read that sometime back but now I realize that I got messed up. Here is my bookmark:
http://www.w7forums.com/windows-7-64-bit-vs-32-bit-t484.html

Thanks,

~akula2

 

[nekko]

Windows 7 64bit, I would go with Home Premium unless you need the windows xp mode in pro and if you controller a network, like a domain, etc.

 

[geofelt]

The windows 7 web site will give you a comparison of the features.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

With any system, you can do an anytime upgrade later.

 

[akula2]

The windows 7 web site will give you a comparison of the features.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx
With any system, you can do an anytime upgrade later.

I got a shock after reading from here:

http://store.microsoft.com/microsoft/Windows-7-Professional-Upgrade/product/8BB1A4B4?WT.mc_id=winonline_comparePRO_PROupgrade

# Upgrade version ($199.99)
# Full version Retail ($299.99)
# Full version Retail ($274.99) on Newegg

This is much better on Newegg: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 3-Pack for System Builders - OEM - $410

Just wondering what to do...OEM vs Retail. Clearly, Retail packs would suck more $ out of my budget 🙁

Maybe the time has now come to push Linux into my company???

Thanks,

~akula2

 

[geofelt]

Let me assume that you decided on windows-7 pro 64 bit version.

Buy one full version(or upgrade) toget support if you need it, and then enough 3 pack oem packages for the rest.

Unless you know that linux will run all your required software today, and in the future, I would not open up an unknown can of worms.

 

[akula2]

Let me assume that you decided on windows-7 pro 64 bit version.

Buy one full version(or upgrade) toget support if you need it, and then enough 3 pack oem packages for the rest.

Unless you know that linux will run all your required software today, and in the future, I would not open up an unknown can of worms.

Yes, am firm on Windows 7 x64 but I need 21 licenses (first me gonna buy one and later 20). I don't know if Win 7 pro has any corporate model like XP, will contact the local MS partner tomorrow. Linux is not definitely a can of worms but it's very true that porting the existing Applications is a big challenge (and costs a lots), am also facing little resistance from almost half the technical staff Here are two questions:

In my country, full Retail version of Windows 7 Professional costs me $230 plus but how come US guys are paying a lot more? And, is the download option from Microsoft website is the best choice or buying a DVD pack?

Thanks,

~akula2

 

[geofelt]

If it costs no more, I would get the dvd's. They are bootable, and can do a repair install.

I imagine the downloads are the same, but then you have to burn your own copies.

I think microsoft charges what the market will bear.

 

[akula2]

If it costs no more, I would get the dvd's. They are bootable, and can do a repair install.

I imagine the downloads are the same, but then you have to burn your own copies.

I think microsoft charges what the market will bear.

Even am inclined for DVD buying, am little scared Microsoft may charge (hidden) me more if I download from them 😛
Would post tomorrow once I get information on multiple-licensing thing.

Thanks for the help,

~akula2