Well, I've had XP for a long while now, and ever since trying to play Shattered Horizon for the free weekend they had a long time ago I've been thinking about switching, but I can't figure out if it would really benefit me. Everything I read on google seems to be split between the two, and unless I was too lazy to read thoroughly enough, nothing ever seemed to give much any actual reasons for superiority. What I'm looking for is if Seven will give me better performance, or what the benefits are even if I don't get better performance. For the most part, all I do on this computer is game, so thats what I'm looking for.
specs:
GPU: NVidia GeForce GT 220
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 965 quad core 3.4GHz, unclocked
RAM: 4GB DDR2
OS: Windows XP SP3, obviously.
tl;dr: Is Windows Seven better at gaming than Windows XP?
I also have another question: Is there anyway to format a partition (my C: drive, with XP on it) and then sort of combine it with another partition, on the same hard drive without formatting both?
It has a much better feel to it for a gamer. I won't say you'll see an increase in gaming performance, but everything else? Probably.
DirectX 10/11.
You won't have that on XP.
Should run equally as good, maybe slower or faster.
Everything goes so much easier on Windows seven.
It gives about equal performance.
[editline]09:39AM[/editline]
And has DX10/11, which is a nice addition
Get Windows 7 64bit, Windows 7 works and looks a lot better than XP.
I would if I was you :v:
You really should, it's the best OS I've used in a while, and on 64bit everything appears to be way faster.
Do not upgrade if you have doubts. The new interface can be a bit tricky, your programs/drivers may not be compatible, etc.
[QUOTE=166291;22824484]Do not upgrade if you have doubts. The new interface can be a bit tricky, your programs/drivers may not be compatible, etc.[/QUOTE]
No this is not true
[QUOTE=166291;22824484]Do not upgrade if you have doubts. The new interface can be a bit tricky, your programs/drivers may not be compatible, etc.[/QUOTE]
The new interface is ALOT better, and the drivers are only a problem if the hardware is +5 years old and even then Windows 7 grabs most of them.
Well, I guess I'll do it then. just a couple more things though. I heard that x64 has some stability issues, is that true? Or should I just get x86? and the second question in the OP; Can I format a partition and use that space on another partition?
[QUOTE=riku2211;22834472]Well, I guess I'll do it then. just a couple more things though. I heard that x64 has some stability issues, is that true? Or should I just get x86? and the second question in the OP; Can I format a partition and use that space on another partition?[/QUOTE]
x64 had some issues back in the XP days but since Vista and 7 it's perfectly fine.
And yeah, you can format a partition and then extend an existing one into the formatted space. In fact, you can do this from within Windows itself (disk management) as long as the partition to be formatted isn't the one you're currently on.
alright, great. Thanks guys, you've been a great help.
Windows 7 x64 is the best way to go for most folks.
Yeah I went from Windows XP 32-bit to Windows 7 64-bit. I was afarid of driver support at first for 64-bit, but that was only an issue at the start of 64-bit operating systems. I like it a lot more than XP, plus it looks cool!
It uses multicores much better and runs amazing. No problems so far.
Alright, I instaled it, updated, and all-in-all, it's pretty nice. Although I am having trouble extending my drive like I wanted to. the option is grayed out...I deleted the partition using the space I wanted to give to the other drive and everything, but it won't give me the option.
[QUOTE=riku2211;22854280]Alright, I instaled it, updated, and all-in-all, it's pretty nice. Although I am having trouble extending my drive like I wanted to. the option is grayed out...I deleted the partition using the space I wanted to give to the other drive and everything, but it won't give me the option.[/QUOTE]
Right-click the partition you want to make bigger and choose expand. You're probably right-clicking on the unformatted space.
If you still can't get it to work, just use [url=http://gparted.sourceforge.net/]gparted[/url]. It's pretty safe but you should still backup anything crucial.
I'm still running Windows XP and I'm still enjoying it. Kind of. I'm not going to buy another operating system when I don't really need it...
[editline]01:36AM[/editline]
Just ask yourself, do you really need a new operating system?
Well, yes you do. Most people would like to get more than 4GB RAM, so yes, certainly. Besides; DX10, DX11.
I cannot stand XP
Windows 7 is a massive upgrade
If your going 64 bit, Windows 7, no contest. It appears to me its far better supported and has a lot of the issues ironed out.
Windows XP was great for its time, but its time to move on. The only reason I still use XP, is that my current laptop is 4 years old, and I don't want to shell out money for a OS on an aging PC that will be replaced by a desktop in a few months anyway.
If you have the opportunity to upgrade to Win7, you should.
But since you only have 4 GB DDR, you should stick to the 32-bit version from what I've heard (even though you'll lose 1 GB due to your gfx).
Performance-wise I've heard/read that 64-bit OS requires at least more than 4GB unless you want it to perform a little slower than 32-bit. In other words, if you're looking a performance boost by upgrading to a 64-bit system, be sure to have around 6GB DDR or more.
That being said, you should do some more research if you're having doubts when it comes to 32 vs. 64 bit, since I have not personal experience, only knowledge from reading online.
[QUOTE=Sergej;23056941]If you have the opportunity to upgrade to Win7, you should.
But since you only have 4 GB DDR, you should stick to the 32-bit version from what I've heard (even though you'll lose 1 GB due to your gfx).
Performance-wise I've heard/read that 64-bit OS requires at least more than 4GB unless you want it to perform a little slower than 32-bit. In other words, if you're looking a performance boost by upgrading to a 64-bit system, be sure to have around 6GB DDR or more.
That being said, you should do some more research if you're having doubts when it comes to 32 vs. 64 bit, since I have not personal experience, only knowledge from reading online.[/QUOTE]
Couldn't disagree more, if he already has 4GB of RAM then he should most definitely get the 64 bit version, as you rightly say, he's going lose a chunk of that right off the bat with the 32 bit version. Plus there are software companies out there right now that are releasing 64 bit only versions of their software. And obviously if he wanted to install more RAM then the 32 bit version is useless.
Plus if you look at this: [url]http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_7_gaming/default.asp[/url] the scores in there are for the most part indentical, with the differences being in the fractional fps range and where the differences are bigger it's the 64 bit version that tends to get the higher score. I appreciate that the RAM installed is 6GB, but it stands to reason that the OP may want to upgrade at some point in the future and it seems silly to cripple himself now, remember you can only install 32 bit with a 32 bit key, you need a new key to install the 64 bit version of Windows 7.
[QUOTE=liquid_phase;23057407]Couldn't disagree more, if he already has 4GB of RAM then he should most definitely get the 64 bit version, as you rightly say, he's going lose a chunk of that right off the bat with the 32 bit version. Plus there are software companies out there right now that are releasing 64 bit only versions of their software. And obviously if he wanted to install more RAM then the 32 bit version is useless.
Plus if you look at this: [url]http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_7_gaming/default.asp[/url] the scores in there are for the most part indentical, with the differences being in the fractional fps range and where the differences are bigger it's the 64 bit version that tends to get the higher score. I appreciate that the RAM installed is 6GB, but it stands to reason that the OP may want to upgrade at some point in the future and it seems silly to cripple himself now, remember you can only install 32 bit with a 32 bit key, you need a new key to install the 64 bit version of Windows 7.[/QUOTE]
You're right. 64-bit OS is probably the way to go as long as he has plans on getting some more RAM in near future (and not in two years or so). But since RAM is so cheap nowadays, I'd say go for 64-bit and get 2 GB extra RAM with that.
[QUOTE=Sergej;23058239]But since RAM is so cheap nowadays, I'd say go for 64-bit and get 2 GB extra RAM with that.[/QUOTE]
You lucky bastard, prices here in the UK are nearly double what they were 18 months ago. I should've bought loads of the stuff and I could've made a fortune...sniffle
My grandparents moved from 98 to 7 and it hasn't caused them a bit of trouble, if you're a gamer, you should be able to handle the new interface.
Also, 7 is the shit.
[QUOTE=Sergej;23058239]since RAM is so cheap nowadays[/QUOTE]
are you using some sort of time machine to post this from 1 year ago
Get Windows 7 now. Just remember some things might be less compatible with 64-bit than with 32-bit. However 32-bit lets you have more RAM.
Oh and you can run a few games on Windows 7/Windows Vista that can't run on XP because of DirectX. (Just Cause 2) I'd expect there to be more on the way.
[QUOTE=reapaninja;23064039]are you using some sort of time machine to post this from 1 year ago[/QUOTE]
You can get 6GB DDR3 1600mhz for ~$220 around here.
Then it all depends on the speed and quality ofc.
[QUOTE=Zedo Mann;23065263]However 64-bit lets you have more RAM.[/QUOTE]
Fixed that for you.
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