Windows 8 vs. 7 For Gaming PC Build?

[Saxguy101]

Hello,

I'm going to be building a gaming PC very soon now and I'm trying to decide if I should go with Windows 8. I've heard gamers bash it a lot, but I don't buy into the hype. I'm not worried about adapting to a new UI, I just want to know what would be best for gaming .

Thanks,

Saxguy

 

[luckiest charm]

Simple comparison -

If you are a geeky nerd who want to experience all of the new stuff which Microsoft offers even if it is totally BS, go for Windows 8.

If you are a sophisticated sane personality who prefer ease of use and functionality over bling should go for Windows 7.

Windows 8 is too difficult to use and takes a lot of time to figure out while Windows 7 is equal in almost all ways but still gives the premium windows feelings and easiness.

 

[jkflipflop98]

Win8 is faster so you get better performance in games.

Really Win8 is exactly the same as Win7 except the start menu goes fullscreen now. That's the only difference. The rest of the garbage you hear like the post above is due to ignorance.

 

[luckiest charm]

Win8 is faster so you get better performance in games.

Really Win8 is exactly the same as Win7 except the start menu goes fullscreen now. That's the only difference. The rest of the garbage you hear like the post above is due to ignorance.

Nope the 'faster' thing here is boot up and shut down time which almost no one cares about. Frame rates in games do not get affected by that in any major way (I don't mean 2-3 FPS).

And that is not due to ignorance but due to my experience with it. Its worst factor is the fact that it is way too difficult to use and takes a lot of time to figure out. The most irritating things are its four corner gestures, searching issues, corrupted windows applications (In some PCs), application closing commands, etc. Overall these and many others make the experience very unpleasant.

You have to keep it in mind that Windows 8 was specifically designed for Touch based PCs and Tablets. Overall experience would suck with a keyboard and mouse. So its a good idea to wait for Windows 8.1 or 9 and stick to Windows 7 for a while.

I myself bought it out of curiosity to try new stuff but now that I am stuck with it since last 3-4 months. Can't even delete because all of my games are on C drive and downloading them again off steam would take me ages due to slow internet.

 

[bignastyid]

Win8 is faster so you get better performance in games.

Really Win8 is exactly the same as Win7 except the start menu goes fullscreen now. That's the only difference. The rest of the garbage you hear like the post above is due to ignorance.

Nope the 'faster' thing here is boot up and shut down time which almost no one cares about. Frame rates in games do not get affected by that in any major way (I don't mean 2-3 FPS).

And that is not due to ignorance but due to my experience with it. Its worst factor is the fact that it is way too difficult to use and takes a lot of time to figure out. The most irritating things are its four corner gestures, searching issues, corrupted windows applications (In some PCs), application closing commands, etc. Overall these and many others make the experience very unpleasant.

You have to keep it in mind that Windows 8 was specifically designed for Touch based PCs and Tablets. Overall experience would suck with a keyboard and mouse. So its a good idea to wait for Windows 8.1 or 9 and stick to Windows 7 for a while.

I myself bought it out of curiosity to try new stuff but now that I am stuck with it since last 3-4 months. Can't even delete because all of my games are on C drive and downloading them again off steam would take me ages due to slow internet.

+1, given the choice i would choose Win 7 every time.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Go with Windows 8 OEM ,because it can be transferred to a new PC when you move on from your current build.Windows 7 is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.As for gaming there is no difference , all of my games from 7 over twenty + of them ran just as good on 8.

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

If metro theme annoys you install this Free app and the PC will look and run like 7.

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

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

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Don't forget to choose a Best Solution when opening a question thread , the forum members will appreciate that.Thanks for posting on the forum.

 

[Renox-1361535]

I prefer Windows 7, easier and all today software a work on it.

 

[luckiest charm]

Go with Windows 8 OEM ,because it can be transferred to a new PC when you move on from your current build.Windows 7 is tied to the first motherboard it's installed on.As for gaming there is no difference , all of my games from 7 over twenty + of them ran just as good on 8.

http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

If metro theme annoys you install this Free app and the PC will look and run like 7.

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

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

Thank you very much for sorting out the Metro UI stuff.
Just got to know about the program, downloaded it and got rid of the side bar, hot corners and start screen completely.

Glad to get the premium feel of Windows 7 back.

 

[Guest]

Windows 8

 

[GamerMT]

Windows 7. It's ease of use and freedom to use OWNS windows 8 for gaming!

 

[Limbothefirst]

Is windows 8 more restricted in any way over windows 7?
Could you see DRM or restrictive features creeping into it in the future? Like what was going to happen to Xbox One.

 

[GamerMT]

Is windows 8 more restricted in any way over windows 7?
Could you see DRM or restrictive features creeping into it in the future? Like what was going to happen to Xbox One.

At least i think they made it for tablets. So it will be restricted compared to Windows 7 for gaming. I think Microsoft need to develop Windows versions for gaming and for multitasking, etc. TS , get Windows 7 for now. Then wait until Windows 9 or however they'll name it. Windows 7 is cheaper and you'll be fine. It's also better for gaming in my opinion.

 

[thatcoolgreenguy]

Here's my experience, I purchased windows 8 for my new gaming PC build and I was scared to get it due to all of these complaints about it, At first I HATED ! yes hated....After installing a SIMPLE start menu program...I don't even notice having windows 8 as I dont use the start screen at all...I use the desktop and the regular start menu, and the boot and shutdown time is a plus as i hate waiting for my PC to start...other then that..and besidesd a few quirks about windows 8 here and there....all in all it's not a bad buy!

Good luck on your choice.