windows 7 64 vs xp 32

[powerzord]

hi, is it worth it to upgrade, (to actually buy windows 7 retail)
also ,my most modern board is gigabyte g31m es2l and that has pci E x16, not 2.0, does windows 7 run ok on motherboards like lga 775 sockets


thanks for your help

[Efess]

I use windows 7 on a LGA 775 socket machine, and all my other machines, and it runs great. The only real downside of it is the fact that the install takes up a huge amount of space, but space is cheap these days.

I don't think there's much benefit in using the 64bit over 32, software just isn't written to take advantage of 64bit operations yet.

I'm forced to use Windows XP at work (huge corporation, they're slow with upgrades) and notice that it isn't as fast or efficient as my home PC with windows 7 (same dual core). Could be because its an HP, but iIm thinking it has more to do with the OS.

Also, the new DirectX won't work on XP so anything written specifically to use DX10 or DX11 will require Windows Vista or Windows 7. This also includes the new hardware acceleration in Explorer and Firefox (which uses Direct2D only available in newest DirectX)

[Frenzy]

Not a huge deal, but when I'm in Windows 7(64 bit) and I alt tab, my screen goes to fuck. This sucks for a DM game because then I have to reconnect, and once a map loads the "fucked"(fuzzy green screen) goes away. Maybe it's a simple fix and I'm dumb, but that's one of the issues I'm having.

[Efess]

Ever try Alt+Enter to put the game in "windowed" mode instead? I've had good luck doing that with QRack.

[Frenzy]

Ever try Alt+Enter to put the game in "windowed" mode instead? I've had good luck doing that with QRack.

No but I will try that

[MH]

Windows 7 64 bit any day. It's goddam difficult to go back to XP after you've been using it for a while, and being 64 bit it'll get the best use out of your RAM.

[foq]

I don't think there's much benefit in using the 64bit over 32, software just isn't written to take advantage of 64bit operations yet

You need 64 bit to take advantage of 4GB RAM or more. And my RAM, I mean memory address space. 32-bit only has 4GB memory address space available, which is shared by your system memory and your video card memory, and some other things that don't really take a huge bite out of it. As little as 3GB system RAM and a video card with 1GB vRAM already pushes you over the edge.

[Mindf!3ldzX]

As long as they keep offering 32bit Windows, I'll continue getting those version's.

Sort of like avoiding an upgrade until its absolutely required. Windows 7 beats Windows XP hands down every time !!

[foq]

As long as they keep offering 32bit Windows, I'll continue getting those version's.

lol

[R00k]

I have mine setup as a dual boot option. It was so fN simple Windows7 detected my current install and did EVERYTHING for me. When I boot up, it says choose windows 7 or previous windows installation. It helps for the learning curve while still using your old version. I rarely boot into XP-Pro anymore...

[javimars]

OP- windows 7 64 is fantastic. it utilizes less ram than vista and has support for dx10-11 while xp only has dx9

frenzy- it could be your video drivers. try reinstalling them with newest updated version. if problem still occurs let me know. i can help.

foq- 32bit can use max of 4gigs of ram but windows technically shows ~3.5gigs of ram as I/O and page files take the first 300-500megs of ram.

Rook- dual boot options is fun. but one can really mess up the system if one does not know what they are doing(especially with window based OS). now if you do windows/Linux/lMAC there is a lower chance of messing anything up.

[Mindf!3ldzX]

lol

LOL i only have 2 gb memory.


FOK

I knew there was a reason.

[foq]

can upgrade memory/

64-bit is just faster anyway, even without having more memory. I've never run into any comparability issues either, not on 7 x64, not on xp pro x64 either.

[silverjoel]

Just to let you know, if you're a student (or have a email that ends with the .edu) you can get Windows 7 Pro for $29.99.

[Mindf!3ldzX]

can upgrade memory/

64-bit is just faster anyway, even without having more memory. I've never run into any comparability issues either, not on 7 x64, not on xp pro x64 either.

Why upgrade? I ran Crysis 2 @ fully max'd out settings , and not one problem. Not mentioning the performance I get on DirectQ , and DarkPlaces. I laugh at real time lighting,