Should i switch to windows vista?

[MiST91]

hi all, not exactly an original question i know, but here goes.

I'm finally upgrading my computer a little

I have just got another 2GB RAM (4GB now), a new case (NZXT Alpha) and a Sapphire HD4850 512MB GDDR3 with dual slot cooler. My CPU i think is more than good enough for gaming, not exactly the latest i know, but it is a 3.0GHz core2duo so should be ok for gaming (on a budget)

As we all know, windows XP doesn't have support for DX10, so would it be worth switching to windows vista for direct X 10? or should i just stick with XP. The last time i installed Vista was on a P4 3.0GHz, 1GB DDR, GeForce 6600 128MB about a year ago and i wasn't impressed, but i am aware that Vista has come a long way since then with SP1.etc

And if i should go with Vista, would it be best sticking with the X86 version (i know i will loose 512MB) or go 64bit?

 

[twicksisted]

Why not do a dual boot setup... XP on one partition & Vista on the other.
Thats what I did, but to be honest I have probably only used the XP partition about 5 times now in 6 months.... Vista is great

also, if you got 4gb ram, why not do 64bit vista as a 32bit Os wont be able to use all 4gb of your ram.

 

[MiST91]

i suppose dual booting would be a good idea, but i only have a 160GB system hard disk.

So, is vista now as good as, if not better than xp now?

 

[Kreij]

If you go to Vista, make the move to 64 bit.
There is no compelling reason at the moment to go from XP 32 bit to Vista 32 bit.
I use Vista 32 but will be updating to 64 bit shortly so I can utilize 8GB of RAM.
DX10 is a perk, but not enough games utilize it to make it a real reason to switch.
Even the upcoming Diablo 3 is reported to still be DX9 compatible.

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

IMO its just as good but its much more visually pleasing to use. Some people could care less about aesthetics for an OS but I rather enjoy using Vista. Just make sure you get x64 to make use of all 4GB plus the 512mb on your GPU.

Vista Ultimate 64 is the new gamers OS.

 

[twicksisted]

I personally prefer it and even die hard XP fans, who have made the switch over, have typed on this forum that they glad to have did. The installation couldn't be easier either with most of the components having their drivers already in the install disk...

Personally, Id say its a good move, but I'm sure theres a couple of people who will disagree as always... Go for it

 

[OtopC]

The 32bit version you will lose 512mb and even as much as 750mb. My opinion is that if you like Vista install it but most people don't and they stick to XP. You will find a lots of technical comparisons and people trying to force their opinion on you, but if you like Vista your new machine is strong enough to coupe with the extra resource demand.

 

[MiST91]

"Vista Ultimate 64 is the new gamers OS."

really?

the last i heard (3-4 years ago) 64bit wasn't a good option for anything other than for use with businesses who require high security and stability.
Does 64bit still have problems with 32bit software, drivers.etc or is that pretty much all sorted now?

 

[twicksisted]

Vista Ultimate 64 is the new gamers OS.

This is why I run a dual boot with XP... because a lot of my games (UT3, Grid, GOW, Assasins Creed etc...) will not launch in 64bit vista... fortunately COD4 does

(Strangely the games that wont launch all have the "Games for Windows" sticker on them!)

 

[OnBoard]

GIRD runs fine here on Vista x64, you got something funny going on. And no need for the Ultimate version, just more expensive and gives nothing more on Home Premium (for gaming).

Like others have said go for the 64bit, I left my XP on another partition for couple months, booted maybe once there, removed it and never looked back. SP1 helped Vista A LOT, it's like a different OS and improvements keep coming. Sure you have to tweak it, so much crap on the background and bunch of scheduled tasks, but get rid of those and XP has very little going for it.

 

[EviLZeD]

This is why I run a dual boot with XP... because a lot of my games (UT3, Grid, GOW, Assasins Creed etc...) will not launch in 64bit vista... fortunately COD4 does

(Strangely the games that wont launch all have the "Games for Windows" sticker on them!)

strange i use vista premium 64 and UT3,gears and cod 4 work fine i don't own the other games, and i gotta say i love vista now i haven't encountered any serious issues and i would definitely recommend it

 

[twicksisted]

strange i use vista premium 64 and UT3,gears and cod 4 work fine i don't own the other games, and i gotta say i love vista now i haven't encountered any serious issues and i would definitely recommend it

yeah the wierd thing is that a lot of people have the same issues as me... and all of them are using asus p5k motherboards (or so far that I have seen)... not sure yet what is causing it, but i think its something to do with OpenAL (my asus D2X soundcard) as a lot of users with Creative platinum & asus soundcards are having similar issues.

 

[EviLZeD]

yeah the wierd thing is that a lot of people have the same issues as me... and all of them are using asus p5k motherboards (or so far that I have seen)... not sure yet what is causing it, but i think its something to do with OpenAL (my asus D2X soundcard) as a lot of users with Creative platinum & asus soundcards are having similar issues.

ahh i see hopefully those issues get fixed

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

"Vista Ultimate 64 is the new gamers OS."

really?

the last i heard (3-4 years ago) 64bit wasn't a good option for anything other than for use with businesses who require high security and stability.
Does 64bit still have problems with 32bit software, drivers.etc or is that pretty much all sorted now?

64bit has come along nicely and it has improved greatly in speed and stability. I have not had an issue running any game in Vista 64 with a p965 or p45 chipset. I even switched motherboards and I didnt have to reinstall Vista.

Vista 64 creates 2 sets of program files; "Programs Files" and "Programs Files (x86)". Typically any program will work in x64 as long as the correct digital signing is present. ATI Tray Tools has issues because the dev didn't purchase the signature yet there are ways to run the program with a "test signature"

This is why I run a dual boot with XP... because a lot of my games (UT3, Grid, GOW, Assasins Creed etc...) will not launch in 64bit vista... fortunately COD4 does

(Strangely the games that wont launch all have the "Games for Windows" sticker on them!)

I have all those games installed and they have no problems running for me

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

kdsjfhsdf


Delete this

 

[psyko12]

Hi, as most mentioned, try 1st via dual booting, I run Vista x64 on an older machine and a few tweaks here and there it runs as fast as my xp x64 install. So far most of the errors or BSoDs I get are all my fault (user) due to some drivers that I used, so far so good.. Stable running this rig 24/7 most of the time and still runs as fine as a newly booted machine.. Games I've tried with this setup are ok. GoW, CoD4, Witcher, Mass Effect and GRID all of them worked flawlessly, although not to the highest of settings but enjoyable and playable.

 

[kylew]

yeah the wierd thing is that a lot of people have the same issues as me... and all of them are using asus p5k motherboards (or so far that I have seen)... not sure yet what is causing it, but i think its something to do with OpenAL (my asus D2X soundcard) as a lot of users with Creative platinum & asus soundcards are having similar issues.

Something's b0rked there, I've got all those games, vista X64 and a P5K motherboard (deluxe). I don't think I've ever had any problems running any of my games of X64. The only games related 'issue' I've had, was with that metaboli service* where the client itself wasn't/isn't X64 compatible.

*For those who don't know what metaboli is, it's a games on demand service similar to steam, but instead of buying the games, you rent them, so you pay a monthly fee of £13 and you get access to ALL of their games as long as you keep on paying every month. Here's a link

Oh and no, I don't work for them.

 

[Polarman]

The only thing that bugged me with Vista was Creative Labs failure to provide Vista drivers for the Audigy sound card.

I ditch my Audigy and used Realtek onboard. At least Realtek provides regular audio updates.

 

[MiST91]

ok, thanks all . I might as well just stick with my XP 32bit, fair enough, i lose around 500MB RAM, but i think i will wait a little before i install Vista x64 as most software is only just starting to utilise 3GB RAM, let alone 4GB, plus i know XP like the back of my hand and don't want to switch to a new OS when there isn't really any need (other than the appealing Aero visuals )

Dualboot is a consideration, but with only a 160GB hard disk, space will become a problem using 2 OS's

 

[blueskynis]

If you think it's worth 179$ then switch to it

 

[Zehnsucht]

Here's a very interesting article about vista
http://www.tweakguides.com/VA_1.html

But maybe these pages are most relevant for you

http://www.tweakguides.com/VA_7.html

Vista is a lot more than Aero.