Upgrade to Windows 7? Worth It?

[dr0be]

So as everyone knows, windows7 came out yesterday and I'm thinking about buying the pro 64bit version (only because I'm a student and can get it for $30 + $13 for CD).

Is this a good or bad idea? I've been using XP32 forever and think it's time to step up to 64bit, might as well be with the new OS. My only concern is finding drivers for my hardware and being able to properly run games/programs (like Aion, CoD, etc)

Current setup:
q6600, 4GB ddr2-800, nvidia GTX260

Anyone play with release yet? How's it going? What will I need to do for 64bit + DX11? I'm just trying to figure out if it'll really be worth it. Will I notice a performance increase from jumping to 64bit?

I've been using only XP32 for the past...8 years? So I'm kinda clueless about DX10/11, 64bit, etc etc.

Thank you in advance.

 

[jlee]

Windows 7 is great. XP is old. For 30 bucks, you can't really go wrong...IMHO.

 

[nemesismk2]

Yes Windows 7 would make for a good upgrade for you especially for only $30.

 

[Mem]

No brainer this one,Win7 for sure it a very very big improvement on XP.

As for 64 bit just need 64 bit cpu(which you have) and drivers and you good to go,it allows you to make use of 4GB of ram or more,personally I'm using Win7 x64 Ultimate and 64 bit OS can run virtually all 32 bit games/software just fine.
Aion,CoD etc will run fine.

 

[dr0be]

Originally posted by: MemAs for 64 bit just need 64 bit cpu(which you have) and drivers and you good to go

Would I have to alter anything in BIOS or anything like that? Or just clean install it and throw on 64bit 7 drivers and all should be good?

Thanks for all the replies too

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: dr0be

Originally posted by: MemAs for 64 bit just need 64 bit cpu(which you have) and drivers and you good to go

Would I have to alter anything in BIOS or anything like that? Or just clean install it and throw on 64bit 7 drivers and all should be good?

Thanks for all the replies too

You can just do a clean install and off you go,Win7 x64 comes with lot of drivers anyway and even has an option to do compatiblity check before installing the OS so you know what will or not work,it can also update while installing if you are connected to the net.

You might need to enable "memory hole remapping" in BIOS for all of the 4GB to show, depends on the motherboard,google it for more info.

 

[dr0be]

Originally posted by: Mem
You can just do a clean install and off you go,Win7 x64 comes with lot of drivers anyway and even has an option to do compatiblity check before installing the OS so you know what will or not work,it can also update while installing if you are connected to the net.

You might need to enable "memory hole remapping" in BIOS for all of the 4GB to show, depends on the motherboard,google it for more info.

Thanks for fast reply! Think I'm going to buy it in a few minutes Even if it doesn't work for me, I can just go back to XP and reinstall when a service pack comes out or what-not.

 

[Markbnj]

Running Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit here for about a week now. So far I'm very happy with it. Feels like a nice step up from Vista 32. You may have to hunt around a bit to find good 64-bit drivers for everything, especially if you have a lot of connected devices. I was able to find everything I needed, but had to dig deep into some OEM websites for some of it (can you hear me, Motorola?). The only game I'm running is Aion, and it runs very well. Media Center has some nice improvements, and I was sort of blown away to find streaming versions of every episode of "Carrier" in the Internet TV choices, some in HD (might have been there in Vista too for all I know, but I still think it's very slick). Gadgets have been integrated into the desktop (no more sidebar), Explorer works a little better... there are HomeGroups, about which I am currently meh but they might be neat for someone who takes the time to set them up and get everyone on 7. Lots of fun stuff and overall a nice upgrade imo (I don't pay, so take my enthusiasm for what it's worth: $0).

 

[Hauk]

Yes. I didn't mess with RC, just waited for retail. Smooth as butter from install to, well everything so far. Very slick..

 

[Cheeseplug]

I am also thinking of taking advantage of the $30 student deal. What I want to know is if there is an installation limit for it, or maximum number of activations (on one machine)? Because I probably reformatted my XP machines a dozen times over the years, and if the install limit is 1 like MSDNAA then it wouldn't be very good for me.

 

[hectorsm]

I am running Windows 7 64 bit OEM. As far as driver, Windows 7 is the best OS I have ever come across. W7 even found the drivers for my X58 motherboard. The driver for my video card was available from Windows update but I decided to download the full version from the nvidia web site. Other than that the only driver I needed to install was for my creative X-Fi extreme music.

Hardware wise you should have no problems with W7. As for your games you might want to check their support web site to make sure you will not run in to any problems. Many times game issues can be resolved with the latest patch.

Regarding your question of 64 bit speed and DX11, you will probably not see any difference in speed since games as still basically written in 32 bit. To take advantage to DX 11 you will need a DX11 video card and games written for DX11.

 

[Ayah]

You should save the 13$ and just download an ISO or build one.

 

[pashbe1]

I did exactly what you want to do. I regret it. Two programs won't install or run, and I have had problems finding drivers. My XP Pro booted and shut down just as quick. Expect workflow to be slowed by having to click through one drop down after another. I'd go back but I invested in RAM, lol. My goof, why F*ck with a full working, stable OS?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: pashbe1
I did exactly what you want to do. I regret it. Two programs won't install or run, and I have had problems finding drivers. My XP Pro booted and shut down just as quick. Expect workflow to be slowed by having to click through one drop down after another. I'd go back but I invested in RAM, lol. My goof, why F*ck with a full working, stable OS?

What programs and what drivers you need?

 

[dr0be]

I kinda want to upgrade my RAM (quantity and quality) for win7x64 (which I bought today!) because right now I only have 4GB DDR2-800 but my mobo only has 4 slots plus it only supports specific 1066 models so I'd have to stick with 800 and have to buy 4 2GB sticks.

Or buy 2 2GB sticks and use 6GB total (1GBs in one channel, 2GBs in other channel), not sure if having the same brand/model ram but bigger sizes would effect performance.

 

[hectorsm]

Originally posted by: pashbe1
I did exactly what you want to do. I regret it. Two programs won't install or run, and I have had problems finding drivers. My XP Pro booted and shut down just as quick. Expect workflow to be slowed by having to click through one drop down after another. I'd go back but I invested in RAM, lol. My goof, why F*ck with a full working, stable OS?

Driver for your normal basic component should have been detected and installed by W7. For certain add on cards you will always be at the mercy of the manufacturer for a driver update. I have an Airlink wireless adaptor that I can't find a driver for Vista 64. I contacted Airlink and they said they do not support Vista 64. This is not an OS issue. Microsoft relies on manufacturer to supply the driver updates for these "none standard" components.

Regarding your program not running, try running them in XP compatibility mode. Also make sure you have installed any available patch.

Finally, regarding speed my guess is that you are referring to the new re-arranged start menu. If so, I also dislike like it and find it more cumbersome than the start menu in XP. It looks like Microsoft over simplified it to the point where is less intuitive and requires more clicks to reach the programs and options. However, I don?t think is that bad and I have learned to live with it.

Overall, W7 is superior to XP and I believe the majority of users will agree on that.

 

[dr0be]

So I use XP32 right now as stated before and I bought the student deal for 7Pro64. I didn't realize that it's considered an "upgrade".

How will I go about installing it? Do I just pop the disk in and the disk will do all the formatting? Or will I have to restart the PC and go through the boot menu just like formatting XP?

 

[neothe0ne]

Originally posted by: dr0be
So I use XP32 right now as stated before and I bought the student deal for 7Pro64. I didn't realize that it's considered an "upgrade".

How will I go about installing it? Do I just pop the disk in and the disk will do all the formatting? Or will I have to restart the PC and go through the boot menu just like formatting XP?

There's a lot of "discussion" about upgrading from x86 XP and Vista to Windows 7 x64. Basically, you need to either download the 1gb Windows Automated Installation Kit, or download just one command prompt tool from it, and then create the iso manually (because you can't run the 64-bit setup in your 32-bit OS).

There's information about it here. (As an added bonus, you get to read someone from CNN act like a retarded fanboy from hell)

 

[dr0be]

Originally posted by: neothe0ne
There's a lot of "discussion" about upgrading from x86 XP and Vista to Windows 7 x64. Basically, you need to either download the 1gb Windows Automated Installation Kit, or download just one command prompt tool from it, and then create the iso manually (because you can't run the 64-bit setup in your 32-bit OS).

Well crap, I thought by paying the extra $13 for the disk I was getting an install disk that I could just boot from.

The description of the disk you could buy is "Suggested if you do not have a good broadband connection or would like to have a bootable CD available for future installation."...

*edit*
So will I not be able to reformat and install 7 using this disk? Or does this "upgrade" just wipe all your personal programs and slaps 7 over top XP? I'm really confused now as to wtf I actually paid for.

 

[XBoxLPU]

Here is how to do a clean install with Upgrade Media:

http://community.winsupersite....-media-the-answer.aspx

 

[dr0be]

I dug up the page below which shows how to burn the upgrade 7x64 to a bootable disk as an .iso. I'm guessing this will also allow to boot from bios for a clean install? I'll find out in a few minutes I suppose.

http://www.maximumpc.com/artic...ent_copy_windows_7_dvd

 

[nemesismk2]

I am surprised by how well even onboard video can use windows 7 even Aero etc. Right now I am using Windows 7 on a motherboard with Nvidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 and it's performing very well. Crisp clear and very fast display