Getting new machine: Vista or XP?

[dichuy]

My video card is old and I finally convinced my husband to let me by a new desktop for gaming YAHOO! I have spoken with some guys here at the office that say some gamers complain about playing on Vista (slower FPS) and they like XP better. So I ask all of you out there playing Pirates if the game runs better on Vista or XP? I'll tally the votes and purchase my new computer with the winner!

Thanks in advance!

[Owoooo]

I would go for the Vista, because POTCO mentioned Vista to be a compatible system to play it on, which would be it would go the fastest on it. Plus, you would be able to play upcoming Dx10 games such as Crysis and apps like FPS Creator X10.
Go for an nvidia 8000 series card! I mean, Vista will be the next-gen of gaming soon.

[Austen791]

I agree with Owoooo, I happen to have a Vista and it works perfectly, anything you heard bad about vista was most likely when it was still very new and had no updates.

[livewire82]

it's all up to you i'd personally stay far away from vista for a least another 2 or 3 years then maybe try it but for now i'll only use xp..

[zangzag]

i have both but i find XP better

[mercriseing]

Hello \(^-^

The reasons why Vista and Windows XP are competing with one another on the market right now (especially between gamers) are varied, but mostly is because Vista uses up more "system resources" than Windows XP or other previous versions. Depending on the system and whether it's been "optimized" among other things, an Operating System (like Windows XP or Vista) can sometimes slow down heavy-handed applications, such as games. The reason why being that when it comes down to it, an Operating System uses the hardware inside of your computer just like a game does... just with a TON more buttons :3:

The thing with Vista is that, as is the case with all expanding markets, it's the newest thing, so it has to be the "shiniest". It compromises alot more system resources than the previous versions of Windows so that Microsoft can play at marketing campaigns of "Upgrade and stop using the out-of-date Operating System! Just look at this menu!!". The premise of this "shiny marketing" is to claim that it permits optimized platforms to run games and other heavy-handed applications with greater efficiency. And while it's still the case that whether anything runs properly on your computer is primarily dependant on how much money to dish out for the hardware specs, there are exceptions, such as Microsoft monopolizing Direct X10 (and probably later versions) for Vista... only the difference is that Direct X10, in contrast to "Vista", actually is something they can hold over your head with good reason...

Direct X basically functions as a "booster" for your graphics processing needs, and the higher the version the more efficient the algorithms, the more innovative the resource conservation and deligation schemes so on so forth etc* blah blah ...The advantage of Direct X10 over Direct X9.0c (the most up-to-date version available to Windows XP) being that it is, in fact, up to date with the latest of the Direct X teams' efforts, and naturally that is a good thing. HOWEVER, Direct X isn't what runs the games you play, your computer does.

So to make this crystal clear... YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM DOES NOT RUN YOUR GAMES, YOUR COMPUTER DOES!!

If you are looking to purchase a computer with gaming in mind, you need to ask two questions when considering whether you want to purchase Windows XP or Vista:

1. Are you looking to run games that haven't come out yet at their absolute highest settings or are you looking to experience games properly now, with the computer you just bought?

2. Do you want shiney menus with your Operating System?

If you want to be able to run games with optimized in-game properties that only Direct X10 can offer because Microsoft payed the developers to turn them off if your not running Vista, guaranteeing you'll be able to run the hardest hitting High Definition games in their full-blown glory without quarter, then Vista is for you.

If you want to be able to run games now and over the next couple of years without un-neccesary issues due to your Operating System, then get proper consultation and purchase a late-market machine with Windows XP.

Keep in mind that this information pertains to graphically demanding games only. If your a recreational gamer that does not fret over Anti-Aliasing or High-Def resolutions etc*, then you'll not run into an unmanagable amount of problems with either Operating System. For instance, Pirates of the Caribbean Online will run properly on either system.

I use Windows XP, and will be switching to Vista in a couple of years when it works the way I want it to.

- mercriseing.inc

[Captain]

Get a Mac. I have XP... if you're dead set for Windows, get an XP computer.

[Thalore]

I'd highly suggest staying away from Vista honestly.

We have 4 computers and the last one we got Vista on (the other all with XP) and my son that got the vista system HATES it, we can't get half of his games running on it. It looks kind of pretty but all the stupid (ACCEPT/DENY) garbage gets really old really quick!

[DrStinglock]

To disable the ACCEPT/DENY search help for "Disable UAC"
or click start>control panel>user accounts>Click 'Turn User Account Control on of Off' then disable the checkbox.

Vista over XP?

Its all about compatibility baby, and seeing as you are going with a new system, you will be wanting to go with vista then as the hardware should be able to handle it..

Compatibility you say?

Yes, Older style games and programs were never made with the intention of vista, same goes for hardware such as printers, so don't be expecting all older hardware to work on a new vista machine.

Ever used Gamespy Arcade? That's something that doesn't work on vista at all. I still use that application to play Command And Conquer Renegade online, and I have to run it on my xp box if I want to play it.

For vista though, I wouldnt reccomend skimping on the ram, make sure you get 1.5Gig or more RAM.

[Gabyta]

I use both, vista and XP and I prefer XP.
Vista is still presenting bugs and glitches.

[Dead Bodies]

VISTA - NO

XP- YES

Linux- OH YEAH MUDDA TIS DA BEST!

I use all 3 and vista is problems with compatabilty... xp is microsoft and has its fair share but generally great!... Linux sets you free.

if you must get vista, get it on an AMD processer 3700+ ( even better with 2 cpu) along with 2 gig ram ATLEAST no less or you will be peed'd off about your purchace. (vista= memmory hog leaks even worse then potco lol)

Oh ps on xp try to find your control pannel or add and remove programs or anything that should be simple..... its a freaking NIGHTMARE!!!!!

sorry about my english hope it helps

humm... cant fix the post... well i ment find the pannel on VISTA not XP ARRR

[Smeghead]

Vista is a total resource hog, you pc will run twice as fast with XP, ive proved that several times

[banshe]

i have vista baisic i bought a dell inspiron 1521 and it doesnt run that fast and ive had alot of problems with vista

[shadowypirate]

I got a new machine recently, had vista on it. Played around with it a bit, the next day it was converted to XP. I still have the vista cd if i wanna add it later. I prefer XP right now.

[Eloricth]

I've run Vista since Beta 2 with no issues.

The only issue has been with my soundcard drivers, but that's Creative's fault -- not Microsoft's.

I would recommend Vista for a new PC. It's designed for today's technology. It's been 8 years since XP was launched. In those 8 years, the power of PC's has exponentially increased. Microsoft has just taken better advantage of this power. In a few years when XP reaches it's end-of-life, most people will have computers that can run Vista without issue.

@ Dead Bodies: Linux is nice, but to run games that rely on DirectX, you have to use an emulator.

-Elo