[Liqourice]

I guess I'm ready to move over since I want to get the benefits of DX10 since more and more games use it now.

I'm a bit stumped as to what version to get though. Obviously Home Basic is the most attractive pricewise but what are the benefits with the other versions? Will I ever need anything more than Home basic really?

Or should I wait for windows 7?

[Judas]

Home premium is typically more then what anyone needs.

Home Basic/home premium
8gb/16gb
no aero/aero

additionally there are other aspect of home premimum over basic...... but there isn't really any reason to get anything beyond that.... ultimate in my eyes is still a waist of money.... it had potential to be worth while.. but the lack of true EXTRAS is just sad.

[OldBuzzard]

Like Judas said. Home Premium at a minimum. Also, go with the 64-bit version of whatever one you decide to go with.

[Liqourice]

Well, since I always turn of most of the bling and run a desktop that's as simple as possible, it's just how I like it, aero isn't necessary. I'm not seeing any use of more than 8GB either so in those terms, would basic be good enough?

64-bit is what I'm going for in any case.

[Tipstaff]

If you want something like XP Media Center Edition, which gave you PVR support, and Xbox 360 network support, then Premium is what you will need. Otherwise Basic is more than enough.

Take a look around, though, as sometimes the price difference between Basic and Premium is almost nothing. I've seen Premium selling for as much as $30 more, and sometimes exactly the same price. In my case I picked up Premium for that very reason (it was a 5 pack deal through MS).

[Dyre Straits]

The 32-bit version of OEM Home Premium is being sold at MicroCenter presently for $79.99.

[Yes, I noticed you want the 64-bit version, but, thought I'd mention this for the benefit of anyone else viewing this thread who's also considering the switch.]

Micro Center - Windows Vista Home Premium 32-Bit with SP1 System Builder Version


And, the one you're interested in.....

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0294708

[Liqourice]

I can't order from overseas, it'll cost me more than paying full price here but thanks for the suggestion!

[Judas]

definitely do not bother with 32bit..... it's pointless.... WHY microsoft is waisting time making a 32bit version of windows 7 is beyond me

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Judas

definitely do not bother with 32bit..... it's pointless.... WHY microsoft is waisting time making a 32bit version of windows 7 is beyond me

It's beyond me too. I keep seeing more and more people looking to buy systems with a minimum of 4GB of RAM, with gamers wanting more, or the ability to go beyond 4GB, yet the most common OS sold in all of these current computers is 32bit whatever. I'm tired of explaining the reasons why it doesn't use that much, why it sees it but doesn't use it, how the mapping is done, and so on and so on and so on.. <sigh> frankly I'm just plain tired of making excuses to clients that think I'm ripping them off.

[Judas]

well at least i don't have to worry..

As i simply refuse to build a custom machine with 32bit vista. I haven't build a single machine since vista launched with anything less then 64bit windows vista.....

and i'm thankful for the fact that i haven't had a single problem due to it.

I just wish Laptop manufacturers would STOP dropping the ball and release thier machines with 64bit OSes installed and with true 4gb ram support.

[Valdeam]

I didn't know Windows 7 was gonna have a 32-bit version...I agree though...pointless

[Liqourice]

So.. Home premium 64-bit is what I should get?

[Tipstaff]

Originally Posted by Liqourice

So.. Home premium 64-bit is what I should get?

If you don't need the TV tuner/PVR capability or the streaming support for the 360 then get Basic. If you do, get Premium.

[Liqourice]

Got no 360 and I never plan to get one either. TV tuner I really don't know, I've been thinking about it but as it is now I really have no need for one but who knows.


Or maybe I just wait for windows 7.

[Tipstaff]

Windows 7 is "supposed" to be faster than Vista, having a refined, more compact OS (making it faster overall, and less prone to crashing.. yeah.. I didn't buy that one either), handles services a little differently (making for a faster start up), in fact the OS in general is supposed to start up 15-20% faster due to those 2 changes alone, has better, more expanded peripheral support, better battery life on laptops (using wireless? then you don't need to power the ethernet port, right? Windows 7 automatically will turn it off), a refined UAC system, the navigation bars are better grouped and streamline (for things like Favorites, Homepage, Documents), a really neat preview window that shows files in a preview pane just like Outlook does with email (or rather it's no longer buried within menu options), say good bye to the Network and Sharing center (it's nicely streamlined, and much more accessible), wireless devices are now included in the "Wake on Lan" function.. the list goes on.

Should you wait? As it is right now Windows 7 won't be out until mid 2009 (we're still in beta), so it's a toss up. There is nothing out there important enough to go buy Vista right this minute for except DX10 gaming. Even that is debatable, cuz developers are still supporting XP (Vista and DX10 exclusivity didn't work), so XP is still a viable OS. If you are buying new hardware now or very soon, going beyond what XP will support properly, then buy Vista Basic. Getting 64bit XP is worthless (not as widely supported as 64bit Vista), and sticking with 32bit XP is equally worthless if you are buying parts with the intention of making a high end gaming rig that has a ton of memory that 32bit XP can't see to go along with that 1GB+ video card that will mess up what it does.

Personally, I'd buy 64bit Vista Basic. For myself I wouldn't buy Windows 7 the day of release, and wait a couple months for things to settle in. That means that I'd be buying Windows 7 eight or so months from now. That's a long time to wait to able to buy and/or properly use a gaming rig or any rig that has more than 4GB of memory (and given that Core i7 boards use triple channel memory, why buy 3 sticks of 1GB when it's more cost efficient to buy 3 sticks of 2GB? XP just can't handle it unless you go 64bit), and has 1 or 2 1GB+ video cards. I won't compromise parts just to run an OS. Vista Basic is the cheapest, it's current and widely supported, gives me DX10 support, and now that SP1 is out (with SP2 on the horrizon) it runs much better than it did the first year it came out (another reason to wait to buy Windows 7 after it's released).

[Liqourice]

We'll see. I have to wait until after newyears anyway since I got a new case so I can't afford anything right now. Never gonna get XP64, that's completely out of the picture.

True, the only thing that appeals to me with Vista is DX10. Everything is working perfectly right now with XP so I might just wait anyway.. but we'll see in a months time what I'll do.

[Judas]

there is potential we may not see windows 7 until 2010.... never know with delays .... then again we could have it before spring of next year to... but that's so incredibly unlikely..


The only thing most people will see over home basic to premium is the aero..... other then that... no difference..

As it's been mentioned though, the cost of eithers difference is sometimes nothing.... depending where you are getting it....

[Liqourice]

I'm using a price comparing site to find the cheapest. Question is if I'm gonna get a full version or an OEM. OEM is cheaper but has it's disadvantage.

[Tipstaff]

Usually the most sold version online is the OEM version. If you see Home Basic selling for close to $100 it's more than likely the OEM version as the retail version (last time I bought one) usually sells for $230, and comes with (again, the last time I bought it) both 32bit and 64bit versions (it comes with the 32bit version, and the 64bit version is downloadable).

Those are Canadian prices, btw, but you get the idea on the price differences.