Windows 7 or 8 for a custom built gaming pc

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Windows 7 or 8?

  • Windows 7

    Votes: 2 25.0%

  • Windows 8

    Votes: 6 75.0%
  • Total voters
    8
F

Finnb

Honorable
Sep 24, 2013
71
0
10,630
Hi there,
Building a gaming pc and unsure of whether to choose windows 7 or 8 (I guess 8.1 now).
I've used windows xp, vista and 7 extensively and so I am at the crossroads of: "do I choose windows 7 which I know and love or windows 8?" I do not have a touchscreen and have no intention of getting one. Try to keep the responses as unbiased as possible (hard I know 😉)
I'd appreciate any help you guys can give.
Finn
 
i had the same problem a couple of months ago when i built my rig in the end i went with windows 8 and installed a program to bring back the start bar so i rarely use the new metro screen. Windows 8 is noticeably faster than windows 7 and i found the speed increase to be worth it.
 


What performance increases are you seeing? Have you had a chance to try out windows 8.1?
Thanks for the reply
Finn
 
Personally i'd just stick with Windows 7. I've used both and there's not any noticeable difference in speed, system performance is both good in W7 or W8, W8 uses a little bit less system resources then W7 does but your system speed depends on the hardware and the drivers for it.
 
They are both fairly similar and the OEM versions are priced similarly. While I agree that the hardware will make a the bigger difference, 8 does feel a bit quicker to me. However it isn't really enough to make a decision on so in the end it's a personal preference. I actually found the metro ui to be useful in certain cases when it comes to looking things up, although learning the os still makes things a bit slow at first. And I like the new task manager that pops up in 8, it tells a fair bit more and organizes/presents things better than 7. But, like has been said, it's entirely a personal thing, try using 8 (for more than 10 minutes on some junky store laptop that you normally wouldn't touch with a 10 ft pole and see how you feel. In terms of gaming performance, short of certain game-specific incompatibilities, there is very little difference in performance, and those differences will likely go away in time as fixes are mad

2 big things I would consider are :
1) Windows 8.1 update comes out this year, and is supposed to address many annoyances people have had with the OS, research more for details
2) From the way I see it, Windows 8 is Microsoft's new OS, and short of some bizarre catastrophe is likely going to be the one they are sticking with and will probably be pouring their new innovations into. While support and development for 7 won't grind to halt, it wouldnt surprise me to see them focusing more on fixing and developing stuff related to 8 over 7 (short of their being some sort of major bug/issue with 7). And after they come out with some new sort of OS after 8, 8 will probably have support while 7 might not get much attention. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that was something I was thinking about when I was deciding
 
Windows 8 does boot faster, but in gaming performance they're about on par. The only thing that would sway me for a gaming-only rig is that Windows 7 isn't going to be getting new DX 11 updates...so if you're playing the newest games and want the most from them by leveraging the newest DX versions...then go with 8. Personally i hate using 8 (i've decided to stick with 7 pro), but if you add a start button program and stash away metro forever, it's not bad.
 
From what I understand 8.1 does sort of stash away metro by allowing you to boot to the desktop instead of metro. Desktop icons can alleviate some of the other metro uses. And with the start button, I suppose it depends on who you are, but I always use the windows key instead of pressing the actual start button. Not perfect, but it would be a bit overly optimistic to ask microsoft to completely dismantle their new changes so I'm fine with the compromise.
 
the windows key will still take you to metro though, even if you boot directly into desktop, you have to install one of the button programs to keep metro away for good
 
With windows 7 OEM the license is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.With Windows 8 you can move it to another build when you are done with this one , but only one computer at a time.With Windows 8 0EM you can change all the hardware you want including the motherboard.


Windows7-2.jpg



OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:

- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel

- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on

- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard

- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system

Microsoft.com ^


OEM vs. Retail

OEM Windows 7 comes preinstalled on computers. This is the cheapest way to buy windows. Large PC manufacturers like Dell, HP etc. (collectively called royalty OEMs) install windows on millions of such PCs. The main characteristics of such systems are:

The license agreement and support agreement is between you and the PC maker, not MS.

Activation by the end user is not required. Windows is preactivated at the factory by the OEM using images and standard SLP keys.

Your copy of windows is locked to that PC. The license is not transferable.

OEM system builder is what you get when you buy from say Newegg or from a local "white box" vendor. It too has the characteristics of Royalty OEM windows. Although it is possible for an individual to buy a System Builder copy, the license requires that the software be installed using the OPK (OEM preinstall kit) and then resold.

Retail version is what you buy from a retailer like Amazon or Bestbuy. Its a full price version that comes packaged in a retail box with a retail product key. It has to be activated online via MS servers using the key on the box, it is not tied to the PC it was first installed on, though it can only be used on a single computer at a time. And, MS directly provides the support for it. It is also more expensive than OEM copies.

As far as functionality is concerned, theres no difference between any of the versions above, given any specific edition (i.e. between OEM pro and retail pro, or between OEM ultimate and retail ultimate).

sevenforums.com


Windows8-1_zps0f2f36f7.png



Windows 8 OEM is a whole different ballgame.

License agreement for the transfer of a Windows 8 license
http://personaluselicense.windows.com/en-US/default.aspx
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I was pretty sure on 7 but now I'm not so sure :)
Is it confirmed that dx11 is incompatible with windows 7 as Jaxem said?
Also has anyone here used 8.1?
Appreciate the help
Finn
 


I have used 8.1 beta on my Laptop and am a Windows 8 user on Desktop. I must say that the startup and shutdown times have improved by a pretty good margin. I personally didn't miss the start men nor the button as the most used apps were pinned on the taskbar and on the desktop. I would prefer Windows 8, and have no regrets doing so already... Good luck with your build.
 


Thanks for the reply,
How does 8.1 compare to 7?
Finn
 


I could answer that only after Oct 17th as the final build may have several changes and I don't use the laptop much. But for now I like it and it too is quite responsive. I do miss the pure aero a bit though but 8.1 has its own beauties. 😉
 
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