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win 7 or win 8 for laptop or Gaming machine

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  • 02-10-2012 12:33pm
    #1
    Darith
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭


    Thankfully via dreamspark i can get win 7 and win 8. I have a middle aged vaio 2gb laptop which i use mostly for coursework and a alien ware machine which i use for gaming. Should i put win 7 or 8 on the alienware(it has xp already) machine. I play mostly old win xp games so i have to research if it could play them. If win 7 is better suited to my alienware would my 2gb vaio be able for win 8, i presume it isn't memory hungry.

    Also when i download win 7 or 8 ; can i create a installation/repair cd/dvd in case i have to reinstall/repair for future use?


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    #2
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    And why would you want to put on Windows 7 or 8 on your XP Alienware?

    Unless the GPU supports DX 10 or 11, neither OS can do anything to improve your gaming experience. On the contrary, since both operating systems are significantly more demanding than XP, they will only bog down your machine unnecessarily.

    And which software do you intend to use on your "middle aged" Vaio that does not run on XP?


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    #3
    Darith
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭Darith


    The vaio is currently running on vista so would win7 be a better OS? Also will xp stop been supported in 2014?


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    #4
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,746 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    Darith wrote: »
    Also will xp stop been supported in 2014?
    April 8, 2014 but it's been extended lots of times before

    and besides life expectancy of a hard drive / pc is about five years

    it will still work after 2014 , might need third party firewall / security apps to keep it safe after that, but if you are gaming then you can remove any programs but games, and lock down firewall and IP routes to a white list of safe sites


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    #5
    Darith
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭Darith


    Would there be a issue getting drivers for win7/8 for these machines?


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    #6
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Darith wrote: »
    Would there be a issue getting drivers for win7/8 for these machines?

    No, most older hardware is still supported. Mainstream Hardware which works with XP/Vista should also work with Windows 7/8 (provided it meets the system requirements).

    What's the motherboard and graphics card in your Alienware PC?


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    #7
    Darith
    Registered Users Posts: 319 ✭✭Darith


    The alienware is a Asus A8n SLI deluxe with a nvidia 7800GTX graphics card


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    #8
    Torqay
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,835 ✭✭✭Torqay


    Unless you upgrade the graphics card, there is no gaming benefit in installing Windows Vista or Windows 7 on that computer. The 7800 GTX only supports DirectX9. Having said that, Nvidia is still supporting older cards and you'll get drivers that work even with Windows 8.

    The motherboard is a different matter though, ASUS only offers drivers for Windows Vista 32/64-bit, but chances are that they will work with Windows 7 as well.

    And last but not least, Windows Vista and 7 require a lot more RAM than XP, so you may need to upgrade your system memory too.

    You see, there might be a a lot more costs involved than just an upgrade license for Windows. And you're still stuck with an old dual-core AMD Athlon.


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    #9
    Overheal
    Registered Users Posts: 81,694 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    Not worth it to upgrade. The fastest available CPU for that socket (Athlon 64 FX-60) is still lackluster and good luck finding it aftermarket, cheaply. That Alienware is nearing the end of it's gaming lifespan if it hasn't already; it's about time to retire it as an email machine. the machine has got to be pushing 7 years though, thats expected.


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