which version of windows 7?

garde2k10

so I've ordered my parts off dabs4work.ie for my rig build.png

so now i need help with choosing an OS...
windows 8 can go f**k itself if it thinks its getting installed to my hdd:rolleyes:

so i only want windows 7, but i dont know what version to get, like premium, professional, or ultimate? is there even a difference for gaming

i want to get it as cheap as possible, even if its second hand or free (without a virus if you get my drift)

i was looking at http://www.adverts.ie/3954777 is it a good price? might just go for that since im living in cork also:p

Dcully

I upgraded to windows 8.1 pro over the weekend after months of saying no.
Best thing i ever done tbh, everything is just faster and i do mean everything.
You do know once you click desktop on the metro ui homepage thingy its exactly like windows 7 to the user then?
I dont get the hostility towards an obviously superior OS than W7.

Each to their own ,if you insist on W7, i had the ultimate version.

raymix

Some people says that 8.1 can actually increase FPS a tad, but I don't buy it. I'm in a same boat, never going to install 8, just waiting for next release since M$ always manages to F every second OS they make (95-98-98SE-ME-XP-Vista-7-8-?)

More expensive versions of windows comes with extra crap running in background. So basically anything that will run Aero should do the job
Personally I'd prefer Professional since I plan to have more than 16GB of RAM, if trying to save some buck and don't care about RAM, Home Premium is also a good choice.

Here, scroll down to comparison chart:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions

See what features you need and stuff you don't care about.

Dcully

raymix wrote: »

Some people says that 8.1 can actually increase FPS a tad, but I don't buy it.

Well you are wrong.
I carried out my own extensive tests and win 8.1 is smoother and faster while gaming.
It was instantly noticeable for me in battlefield 4 in particular.
Although my framerate didnt improve a whole lot maybe 6%-8% it all felt so much smoother.

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/11/24/battlefield_4_windows_7_vs_81_performance_review/5#.UqmAwPRdWio

Apart from the performance gain for gaming normal day to day use is blisteringly fast and faster that win7 in every way including insanely fast boot time.
My rig is ready to use about 6 seconds after i hit the power button.
Best of all as ive said, click the desktop tile on win8 screen and your instantly into windows as you know, its the same thing under the hood just a lot faster.

stevenmu

Dcully wrote: »

I upgraded to windows 8.1 pro over the weekend after months of saying no.
Best thing i ever done tbh, everything is just faster and i do mean everything.
You do know once you click desktop on the metro ui homepage thingy its exactly like windows 7 to the user then?
I dont get the hostility towards an obviously superior OS than W7.

Each to their own ,if you insist on W7, i had the ultimate version.

With 8.1 you can even set it to start on the desktop: linky

garde2k10

ill just go with what i can find cheapest since premium is all i really need cause i dont even understand what the other tool and stuff you can use with pro and ultimate....

id rather have a slightly less smoother game than use win 8/8.1 (it was so bad they had to make a .1 update)

its the layout i dont like in windows 8 and searching files and stuff, since im so used to windows 7.

smacl

Dcully wrote: »

I upgraded to windows 8.1 pro over the weekend after months of saying no.
Best thing i ever done tbh, everything is just faster and i do mean everything.
You do know once you click desktop on the metro ui homepage thingy its exactly like windows 7 to the user then?
I dont get the hostility towards an obviously superior OS than W7.

Each to their own ,if you insist on W7, i had the ultimate version.

Only used Windows 8 for a bit of software testing, and got it on my daughters laptop. What really annoyed me about it was the missing start menu, and the short cuts at the bottom of the screen. I use the computer for work, little to no gaming, but have a lot of software for development, modelling, office etc... and use the start menu a lot. I don't use the desktop, because all my screen real estate is typically in use, so switching to the desktop is way slower than firing up the menu or selecting a short cut from the bottom of screen.

Have they got this sorted on Windows 8.1? How close to a Windows 7 GUI can you get?

mayordenis

the whole bar along the bottom is basically a quick start bar, on 8.1 I have 18 programs on it and there's space for probably another 7/8 so unless you use regularly 25+ programs I would guess it'll work ok for you.

smacl

mayordenis wrote: »

the whole bar along the bottom is basically a quick start bar, on 8.1 I have 18 programs on it and there's space for probably another 7/8 so unless you use regularly 25+ programs I would guess it'll work ok for you.

I have far less on the bar, currently 8, but I have about 40 top level items on the All Programs menu, and most of those are sub-menus with multiple items. I also use control panel, Computer, Documents, etc.. from the start menu regularly. The flat structure of a desktop wouldn't be anywhere near as efficient as a hierarchical menu system for my needs.

Probably much of the issue I have with Windows 8 is educational. I go to the computer, press the Windows button to bring up a menu, curse loudly at the screen when this doesn't happen, and waste time trying to figure out how to do something that should be trivial.

BeerFear

If you hit start you can type first couple of letters and will bring up app your looking for. I find it must handier. It's a faster and much better operating system. If you plan on windows 7 then home édition 64 bit would be fine

smacl

A quick google shows the start menu is back in Windows 8.2, think I'll wait for that to come on stream.

garde2k10

smacl wrote: »

A quick google shows the start menu is back in Windows 8.2, think I'll wait for that to come on stream.

going to need an os before Wednesday so i dont have time to wait for 8.2 to come out:rolleyes:

looks like i will go for the good ole' reliable win 7:D

i was going to use a copy of xp that i had lying around, but i dont it would recognise the parts and stuff?

uncle_sam_ie

garde2k10 wrote: »

going to need an os before Wednesday so i dont have time to wait for 8.2 to come out:rolleyes:

You don't need to wait, just install one of the many hacks that bring back that start menus. This is what I've been using for last 12 months, http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ there are loads of free ones out there as well. Once you get rid of the metro interface you'll end up with a super charged Win7. It's silly getting Window7 over 8 unless you can get it really cheap.

garde2k10

uncle_sam_ie wrote: »

You don't need to wait, just install one of the many hacks that bring back that start menus. This is what I've been using for last 12 months, http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/ there are loads of free ones out there as well. Once you get rid of the metro interface you'll end up with a super charged Win7. It's silly getting Window7 over 8 unless you can get it really cheap.

hmmmmm... im starting to want windows 8 now:o

xtal191

Wheres the cheapest place to get windows 8 then?

garde2k10

xtal191 wrote: »

Wheres the cheapest place to get windows 8 then?

i was thinking of downloading an the 8.1 .ISO and buying a product key, but i dont know where to buy one:(

garde2k10

also i saw windows 8.1 pro student on the microsoftstore and its only €60 to download. but is that only legible for student in college or students in secondary school also? do i need to have windows installed already on my new pc or can i download it and put it on a usb or dvd and install straight from that to my pc build?

raymix

Hats off, well done, guys, he fell for it.
I like how you never mention a single flaw with 8 and that requiring hacks/third party tools to make it less annoying is actually ok.
Boot times works faster only if you have an SSD and your mobo is actually supports it. If one of criteria is not met, boot times will be pretty much equal. Not that 5 second difference actually matters in best case scenario.

The part where extra steps involved to do search/open files/do configs is ignored. Loved using Win key on your keyboard? How about few extra mouse clicks on top of that for the same result?

The part where w8 gives extra FPS in games is pure magic and has nothing to do with the fact that 7 uses Aero that can be disabled, right? Although in this case i'd rather worry about spending extra on upgrading hardware than software if this actually becomes an issue.

@uncle sam: windows 8 - a super charged windows 7? Come on, buddy. With all due respect, please stop, there are actually naive people reading these forums in search for help.

mayordenis

I genuinely have installed absolutely nothing other than the upgrade to 8.1, if you want to stay with windows 7 forever then do, the changes really aren't that big a deal, I haven't found anything that would make my productivity drop that can't just be countered in some easy enough manner.

Then again I don't use an incredible amount of programs like the OP so maybe it will affect them.

marco_polo

raymix wrote: »

Hats off, well done, guys, he fell for it.
I like how you never mention a single flaw with 8 and that requiring hacks/third party tools to make it less annoying is actually ok.
Boot times works faster only if you have an SSD and your mobo is actually supports it. If one of criteria is not met, boot times will be pretty much equal. Not that 5 second difference actually matters in best case scenario.

The part where extra steps involved to do search/open files/do configs is ignored. Loved using Win key on your keyboard? How about few extra mouse clicks on top of that for the same result?

The part where w8 gives extra FPS in games is pure magic and has nothing to do with the fact that 7 uses Aero that can be disabled, right? Although in this case i'd rather worry about spending extra on upgrading hardware than software if this actually becomes an issue.

@uncle sam: windows 8 - a super charged windows 7? Come on, buddy. With all due respect, please stop, there are actually naive people reading these forums in search for help.

You're correct that has nothing to do with magic, however it has nothing to do with Aero either. A handful of games like Battlefield 4 run slightly faster under windows 8/8.1 because of DX11.1 optimisations, which W7 does not support.

raymix

marco_polo wrote: »

You're correct that has nothing to do with magic, however it has nothing to do with Aero either. A handful of games like Battlefield 4 run slightly faster under windows 8/8.1 because of DX11.1 optimisations, which W7 does not support.

Friend of mine mentioned multithreading optimizations, yup. While I think that optimization is a nice step forward, unfortunately only few people are affected by it - those with multi core chips and those who actually play that game.
Still waiting for Mantle when it comes to multithreading optimization, but that will kind of neglect need for DirectX, meaning there probably won't be superior OS, just a personal choice.

marco_polo

raymix wrote: »

Friend of mine mentioned multithreading optimizations, yup. While I think that optimization is a nice step forward, unfortunately only few people are affected by it - those with multi core chips and those who actually play that game.
Still waiting for Mantle when it comes to multithreading optimization, but that will kind of neglect need for DirectX, meaning there probably won't be superior OS, just a personal choice.

Any directx 11.1 supporting game should benefit why would it be limited to particular CPUs? Regardless of the success or otherwise of Mantel, DX is not going anywhere any time soon.

raymix

marco_polo wrote: »

Any directx 11.1 supporting game should benefit why would it be limited to particular CPUs? Regardless of the success or otherwise of Mantel, DX is not going anywhere any time soon.

By particular CPU I meant CPUs with more cores/threads would benefit more (just stating the obvious). In regard of DX11.1 that'd be true only if actual game is coded to support parallel processing, wouldn't it? In that case it's only few games out there that would properly benefit from it.

marco_polo

raymix wrote: »

By particular CPU I meant CPUs with more cores/threads would benefit more (just stating the obvious). In regard of DX11.1 that'd be true only if actual game is coded to support parallel processing, wouldn't it? In that case it's only few games out there that would properly benefit from it.

Thats exactly what I said in my first post, and BF4 is one of the only games that currently has DX11.1 support, but that list is sure to increase in the very near future. I am not sure why you are keep referring to multithreading/parallel processing, as additional DX 11.1 features have little bearing on this, beyond making existing rendering process a little more efficient.

NBote that Direct X 11.2 is incoming as well and is and will be an even more substantial upgrade, which will be only available on windows 8.1. As this will be the API for the XBox one, it is likely to be used by pretty much every next gen multiplatform game.

http://mygaming.co.za/news/pc/55784-directx-11-2-what-it-does-for-you.html

I'm not a huge Win 8 fan myself as some of the Desktop design choices were pretty badly though out, but the sake of €3 or so on start 8 its completely worth it, because like it or not, Microsoft are determined to press on with gaining widespread adoption for 48./8.1, and Windows 7 will continue to be neglected when it comes to new features.

raymix

marco_polo wrote: »

Microsoft are determined to press on with gaining widespread adoption for 48./8.1, and Windows 7 will continue to be neglected when it comes to new features.

Yeah, that's very good point.

DX11.2 certainly brings some improvements there, interesting read.

garde2k10

is it possible to get a windows 7 trial. i have a windows 7 cd but no key and if i get windows 7 then i can download windows 8/8.1 off of microsoftstore for e59.99 but its only an upgrade so i need xp, vista or 7 to get windows 8 but dont want to pay for xp, vista or 7 if that makes sense and is it possible?

whos_dan

garde2k10 wrote: »

is it possible to get a windows 7 trial. i have a windows 7 cd but no key and if i get windows 7 then i can download windows 8/8.1 off of microsoftstore for e59.99 but its only an upgrade so i need xp, vista or 7 to get windows 8 but dont want to pay for xp, vista or 7 if that makes sense and is it possible?

If you have the CD you can install it and you get 30 days before you need to enter a key (You can extend this to 120 days, look it up).

Could you link where to buy Windows 8.1? When I go on the MS website and click 'Buy Windows' it brings to a stupid f******g page with tablets and notebooks

garde2k10

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/mseea/en_IE/pdp/Windows-8.1-Pro-Student/productID.288573500 only found it cause it was popped up in google ads

srsly78

The only tip you will ever need for windows 8: Press the windows key + Q = search everywhere.

This is the same as what many people are used to from previous versions, just hit the shortcut and start typing for what you need.

garde2k10

srsly78 wrote: »

The only tip you will ever need for windows 8: Press the windows key + Q = search everywhere.

This is the same as what many people are used to from previous versions, just hit the shortcut and start typing for what you need.

windows key and c for me and i scroll up to search on windows 8 (laptop is windows 8) but windows key and Q is quicker

Private Snafu

DID were selling windows 8 licences recently for €60, picked one up myself last week.

http://www.did.ie/windows-8-pro-upgrade-3ur-00006-prd

garde2k10

If They were open right now I would be there in a flash... Thanks lads, looks like I'll be heading to DID in the morning

garde2k10

No, wait that's just an upgrade.. Can I just install the 30 day trial of windows 7 and then upgrade with the windows 8?

garde2k10

Fook... There's no DID in cork and I am in my hole going all the way to Bandon to get it
But my main question is can I upgrade to windows 8 if I use the windows 7 trial

raymix

Ehh... so I upgraded to 8.1 few weeks ago, mostly because of DX11.2 and UEFI boot.
Using StartIsBack (direct boot to desktop) and few SSD optimizations, since I've only got 60GB.
Even at 64bit it is much lighter than win7x64, it is now sitting at 19.5GB giving me 30GB free space for applications I want to load faster (CS6)

Must admit I am positively surprised how snappy it is, overall performance is actually bit faster than win7 setup I had, especially boot times (4-10 sec, down from 10-15sec). Still having trouble disabling CSM module in BIOS, for some reason my GPU is not recognized by UEFI.

So far haven't encountered any serious compatibility issues, happy with dual screen support without need of buggy third party application.

As much as I hate metro, I haven't ditched it completely, I am actually falling in love with original PDF reader and WMP. Plus its very comfy the way you can pin and resize the metro interface around the sides of your screens and still get to see full desktop (squeezed) still having the ability to use win+arrows for normal applications - pure awesomeness for people with high horizontal resolution screens.

Cons are ofcourse - it requires a little bit of extra preparations, but that goes for win7 as well, especially if you are using ultimate with tons of garbage services running.

Quite impressed, not going back to Win7, that's for sure.

stevenmu

raymix wrote: »

Using StartIsBack (direct boot to desktop)

FWIW boot to desktop is built in to 8.1, you don't need a 3rd party tool any more. Just right-click the taskbar, go to the properties and it's on the navigation tab.