Need a new OS- recommendations?

lolism

lolism

lolism

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Hey guys, I was wondering if some people could give me some advice regarding a new operating system.

to date i've been using Windows XP Pro 32bit with my Intel P4 2.6Ghz and 512MB ram.

I've just ordered a new system- Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 @ 2.4Ghz(no plans to overclock just yet) 4GB of ram, ATi 4850, SATA II HD etc.

How much of a performance gain would I receive upon upgrading to a 64bit operating system? Is it really worth while? I realise that Windows XP won't recognise 4GB of ram... that's about it.

So far I'm not really enthusiastic about Vista- but that's due to ignorance on my behalf of the different versions. I was thinking about XP Pro 64, but i'm just not sure... I haven't really heard much about it and don't want to spend £90 on something that will be useless.

Either way come Tuesday i'll be ordering a new 22" Monitor and some form of OS. Could someone please give me some opinions?

I'll mostly be using the computer for browsing the internet, playing games (not a lot, but I have some catching up to do) and the from time to time converting videos. I'll also be using Photoshop for a new project at work.

Thanks for any help!
 
If you're going to 64bit, get Vista, or don't bother and stick with XP.

If you're happy to use XP stick with it, if you are in the mood for change then Vista 64bit.

XP 64bit is not worth it.
 
t31os said:
XP 64bit is not worth it.
Click to expand...

How so? Due to it being older? Driver/Software support?
I've seen quite a lot of threads
"VISTA SUCKS"
"OMG WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH THIS VISTA INSTALL"

Would I be better off going with Vista Ultimate or Home Premium? What's the differences? Ahhhh!

Ideally i'd like to stick with XP 32, but I don't want to if i'll be losing out on the new hardware i've just purchased.
 
Driver and software support.

And nobody ever posts a thread to say they love/like something. But a lot of people do like Vista, me included.
 
I've just been reading the reviews on the OCUK home page for some of the Vista products.

"I have to say it does steal 40% of my ram" - Would this be noticable with 4GB of ram? Should I order another 4GB? (not even sure if my mobo supports that)

"besides Microsoft having access to your pc when ever they feel like it, and being able to delete anything off your hdd then it is very good" - whats all this about?

Finally what would the major differences between Vista Ultimate and Vista Home premium? Would I be missing a lot of control or features if I didn't get Ultimate?
 
"I have to say it does steal 40% of my ram"
Click to expand...
Err its not stealing it, its putting your otherwise idle ram to use by caching your often used programs making thier startup a fair whack faster. Should the system require the ram back windows will release it to any apps that want it.

"besides Microsoft having access to your pc when ever they feel like it, and being able to delete anything off your hdd then it is very good" - whats all this about?
Click to expand...

Your guess is as good as mine.

Generally people would recommend home premium unless you must have one of the Ultimate features which most don't http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx have a look for yourself.
 
I have installed Vista onto an older nForce 2 motherboard based PC with 512mb of ram, turned off some services not needed, turned off visuals it did'nt automatically turn off (it detects what the computer can handle pretty well) and overall it's running just aswell as XP, mind you the wireless card it had no longer works.

Had to get some alternative drivers to make it work on Vista since nForce2 isn't supported, but it works, and no less so then XP did before.

People complained when XP came out and killed their systems, then a flood of guides emerged detailing how to turn off un-needed visuals and services. It's the same deal with Vista really.

And why not go 64bit now, there's nothing wrong with Vista, and eventually you're gonna need DX10 (could be a while), so why not get use to the changes sooner rather then later.

For me (personally) i have found very little that doesn't work. In honesty 1-3 apps (nothing essential) and a few pieces of older hardware. Anything else will work, either from the get go, by 'Run as Administrator' or by using XP compatibility mode. Have not had the same level of success with XP64.

We're in a scenario pretty much the same as when XP first came out, lots of people complained, then it matured..... Vista is still maturing but does not suck from my experiences. Everybody will have a different experience, though typically you read about the bad ones and not the good ones.
 
The point is that anyone who is currently on xp still has no reasons I can think of to go vista yet.
When that day arrives I shall happily switch to vista.
 
C64 said:
The point is that anyone who is currently on xp still has no reasons I can think of to go vista yet.
When that day arrives I shall happily switch to vista.
Click to expand...

He's not asking if you should upgrade.

He's asking if he should use XP x64 or Vista x64 to make use of the 4GB of RAM that will be in his new rig.
 
32bit vs 64bit...

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1665

Though some articles say one thing and another says something else...

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=e...m=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=64+bit+vs+32+bit&spell=1

Decide for yourself....

I said i wouldn't move to Vista until i forced onto it, then i used it at work on a new laptop and decided to give it a whirl, and havn't gone back since.

It's up to the individual to decide it is worth it.

For me, it's like XP but nicer looking...... i like the visuals.....
 
lolism said:
"besides Microsoft having access to your pc when ever they feel like it, and being able to delete anything off your hdd then it is very good" - whats all this about?
Click to expand...

I've not heard anything so stupid is a while. I can categorically confirm this is some very sloppy ****.

Burnsy
 
Should definitely be Vista 64 especially now.

Ignore the usual tripe people throw about like "OH NOES MICROSOFT SPYING WAAAA" they are talking out of their bottoms!

Make sure all your software/hardware is supported before hand though!
 
I love Windows XP, but that is because I'm used to where everything is, I know how it works. But I decided I couldn't be on XP forever and when ordering my new laptop got Vista Home Premium. I now love that. A lot of my "tech friends" slate me for liking Vista, but I go into everything with an open mind - they don't.

Vista 32-bit uses for me just under 1GB RAM after a cold boot, I have 2GB RAM, and Vista is flying on the machine - I am told Vista 64 would run faster, which is something I need to get.

I hear that Home Premium is the distribution to buy if you do not need...

a) Remote Desktop
b) To join a domain

If you need those to, then Vista Business is the one to get. But this doesn't come with Media Centre or something.
 
swinnie said:
I hear that Home Premium is the distribution to buy if you do not need...

a) Remote Desktop
b) To join a domain

If you need those to, then Vista Business is the one to get. But this doesn't come with Media Centre or something.
Click to expand...

Remote desktop is available on Home Premium. No domain access though!
 
I've got Vista Home Premium and have been really impressed. As someone said earlier, the only people that tend to post are those with problems, which is why Vista has such a bad name. There are also a lot of happy customers though!
 
My college lecturer told the class how Vista restricts what you can do, how it asks you every time if you want to delete files and what not.

I said "Disable UAC then." I got told even if you did that it still questioned you when doing stuff on your computer.

I just thought, what a ******* idiot.

Anyway Vista is awesome, shame so many idiotic people slate it, like the above example.
 
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