Vista or XP?

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 19:26

Ok im in a but of a predicament. Just built my self a new pc for gaming and after using my xp install countless times im told i can't use the product key any more. So in 20 days i'm going to have to purchase a new xp product key.

The question is do i buy a new product key now (£40 i think) or do i just bite the bullet and get vista? I mean im going to be getting vista when crysis comes out anyway so it would save me buying two operating systems.

So is vista buggy as hell with 8800gtx's and most games or have most of the problems been solved.

Anyone elese actually enjoying their vista experience in games over xp?

straxusii · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:03

I'm pretty sure you can buy XP now in a way that includes vista later

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:05

straxusii said:
I'm pretty sure you can buy XP now in a way that includes vista later

really? i cant find it :s

straxusii · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:12

Sorry i was thinking of this, not sure if you can still do this:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6782

Go with vista 64 I would say, you'll have a bit of pain initially but it will become the norm soon enough (vista, not necessarily 64 bit)

I personally dual boot between xp and vista 64, havent found anything yet vista 64 didnt run

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:16

straxusii said:
Sorry i was thinking of this, not sure if you can still do this:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=6782

Go with vista 64 I would say, you'll have a bit of pain initially but it will become the norm soon enough (vista, not necessarily 64 bit)

I personally dual boot between xp and vista 64, havent found anything yet vista 64 didnt run

To be honest i do have another clean hard drive i could try vista on and just select between them on start up. I will definately be getting it anyway because i want to use *** directx10 features of the 8800's.

Whats the difference between 64bit and 32bit vista. Is 64 bit faster/better? Oh and are core 2 duo's 64bit?

dbmzk1 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:18

If your going to upgrade soon anyway you might as well just buy Vista now. Go for 64-bit.

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:23

dbmzk1 said:
If your going to upgrade soon anyway you might as well just buy Vista now. Go for 64-bit.

why 64 bit? Oh and is home premium much better than home basic?

I don't think i have much need for ultimate.

sativa · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:32

Vista 64-bit - no problems whatsoever since purchase.

If you have a 64-bit cpu no reason not to go for 64 bit rather than 32 bit.

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 20:45

sativa said:
Vista 64-bit - no problems whatsoever since purchase.

If you have a 64-bit cpu no reason not to go for 64 bit rather than 32 bit.

i assume my spec (in sig) is completely 64bit compatible.

Tk7 · 1 Jul 2007 at 21:02

Your rig would be fine with 64-bit. And just to clarify, the Express Upgrade program finished on 31-03-07.

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 21:32

ive been reading that 64bit has loads of compatibility issues with wireless adpaters,dvd writers e.t.c. and that you can only use microsft approved drivers. Also a lot of stuff isnt 64 bit compatable.

Or is this all fixed now?

straxusii · 1 Jul 2007 at 22:42

Most chips have been 64 bit for some while and have been running 32 bit os in compatibility mode.

With 32 bit you are limited to ~3 or 4 GB of ram, with 64 bit you can use upwards of 128GB so very much for the future.

All things being equal 64 bit is faster than 32 bit however all games are 32 bit at the mo

Jono8 · 1 Jul 2007 at 23:01

straxusii said:
Most chips have been 64 bit for some while and have been running 32 bit os in compatibility mode.

With 32 bit you are limited to ~3 or 4 GB of ram, with 64 bit you can use upwards of 128GB so very much for the future.

All things being equal 64 bit is faster than 32 bit however all games are 32 bit at the mo

but im guessing most games will still work perfectly on 64 bit os

HangTime · 1 Jul 2007 at 23:26

straxusii said:
All things being equal 64 bit is faster than 32 bit however all games are 32 bit at the mo

There are a few games which natively support 64bit around like Riddick and Far Cry.
However at present the benefits are very minimal (last I heard Riddick was actually slower in 64bit mode).

Cyber-Mav · 1 Jul 2007 at 23:57

try the dreadnaut demo thats full on 64bit power required.

http://cdrom.amd.com/devconn/amd64downloads/Dreadnought_64vs.32.exe

Lanz · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:01

I think if I was you, I'd just get the Academic Vista32 premium for £50inc.

Jono8 · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:18

Lanz said:
I think if I was you, I'd just get the Academic Vista32 premium for £50inc.

Why? i do quite like the lookf of the 3d aero desktop.

ah so many conflicting things, some people say 64 bit, some people say 32 bit, i don't know what to do.

Also will i need 4gb of ram for vista to run flawlessly?

Lanz · 2 Jul 2007 at 11:21

Why?, mainly coz its the cheapest way to get Premium.

Also, you dont need 4GB, not yet anyway... 2GB is fine for Vista and all games currently.

Anyway, saying "if i was you" well thats a lie, as I'd just grab a hooky version of XP and use that...

aztechnology · 2 Jul 2007 at 12:07

If you are happy with XP and are only installing because of the key limitations just phone Microsoft Activation helpline and they should re-enable the key.

Unless this has changed recently, you should be OK. I have done this, as has a mate (though he had to re-enable vista after it complained about a BIOS update).

On the other hand, if you need an excuse for vista, go for it

chaparral · 2 Jul 2007 at 12:23

Am using vista 64bit here....

I think vista 32bit is a waste of time and money nowdays with it being limited to less then 4GB of ram...
I say 4GB of ram will be the standard for highend gaming very soon...

(Unless you have got some important programs that will only work in 32bit windows...)