Upgrading current sys with Vista, to W7 - A history and some questions

mark4x4 · 07 Feb 2016

Hello I just joined this forum and wanted to ask a few questions.

I am currently running Vista and it has always crashed, programs "Stop Responding" constantly, but revive after a minute. Occasionally I have to go to Task Manager and close certain programs. Since 2007, I have had to use revert back to a save spot, a handful of times which resolved all the issues, except Stop Responding programs. I think my multi-tasking bogs down the 2 core cpu and 4gb ram.

I was waiting for the new windows to come out and I keep hearing they bombed again. I am concerned about security, I dont want Bill collecting my data. Plus it seems Bill is going towards the monthly pay scheme for programs now. Anyway I hear nothing but rave reviews of Windows 7 even though its old. Here is the deal, I upgraded the 2007'ish HP Pavilion desktop PSU to a 650W unit, installed a GTX650 for the World of Tanks online game. I am the power user of the family, example right now I got 10 tabs open on this window (mls property x2, newegg, amazon, amazon, amazon, windows forum, hotmail and this page. Next page I have 4 tabs of ebay, 2 basic webpages for ebikes, parts page. I have World of Tanks open and running, and a word document. I have CCleaner, GeFroce, Windows Security alerts, wifi, sound on the bottom right. This is very typical of my use, sometimes I have more pages/tabs open. Not playing video at all. So far today its not crashing. I wait a few minutes it usually comes back to life.

I got
4GB of DDR2 RAM
MSI MS-7548 (Aspen) Chipset: AMD 780G 4 x DDR2Front side bus speeds: Up to 5200MT/s (5.2 GT/s)

Processor socket: AM2+
Expansion Slots:
- 1 PCI Express x16 graphics card slot
- 3 PCI Express x1 slots

AMD Athlon X2 5050e Operating speed: Up to 2.6 GHz 2 core
4GB PC2-6400 MB/sec

Size: 320 GB
Interface: SATA
Transfer rating: 3.0 Gb/sec
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM

I want to upgrade this system rather then buy a refurbished unit with W7 already installed.

Here are my costs, for upgraded components,

All prices in Canada, $1.25CDN = $1.00USD
Mobo - $100-$150 I am looking for OC capabilities, DDR3 1866, 2133 speeds and above, 32GB seems to be average, some have 64GB capacities, I'd lean towards 64GB.

AM3+ CPU $150 - $200 Dont need graphics so this chip suits my needs, Ive read its pretty good.

RAM 8GB $60 - $110 Would go 4GB or 8GB and upgrade a year or two later, with matching pairs.

SSDHD $60-$100 for 120GB and $100-$115 for 240GB Install my O/S and everything else, will stop defragging, buy Malwarebytes.

I found some cheap W7, for around $50-$60

So all in $400-$450, I would spend more on mobo, cpu 4 or 6 cores, low ram upgrade later.
For a refurbished unit I would be spending $300-$350 maybe $400. With slower DDR3 ram, older cpu's etc etc etc.

Is there a way I can buy these Windows 7 programs online from newegg, tigerdirect, ebay, amazon, and when received, phone Microsoft and see if they are fresh W7 by that code you need to install?
Everywhere else sells them at $150, occasionally $120.

Is it worth buying 2 or 3 copies of W7 for future upgrades of the Motherboard and CPU?

Also I wonder if I can image the fresh install with all the updates, patches, dirvers etc right off the bat. Image the HD, then every couple years or every year, revert back to image, cleaning everything up. Would that make a difference?

When I buy the CPU, MB and RAM, do I need to spend more money on cooling for CPU, or does that come with the CPU package?

I have used Linux based systems before, Ubuntu was a good one I used on a 15 year old laptop, I used the one that looked like windows. XUbuntu I used and liked it, easy to use. There must be a way that I can have W7 and XUbuntu loaded on the same computer. Then I can surf the web all I want on XUbuntu and when I want to play World of Tanks, switch somehow or does that require a reboot?

With my style of desktop usage, would a 6 core help more, or is that more for specialized photo/video editing and software written for those cores? World of Tanks online game is only a one-core game.

Thats all the questions I have off hand, I know I have more. But Vista sucks, it really does.

Anyways thanks for your time in reading and answering, I really do appreciate it.

Barman58 · 07 Feb 2016

Microsoft no longer sells Windows 7, you may find some legit copies on-line, though these are likely to be OEM licenses, and they are often treated as a premium item so prices are set accordingly. The issue with an OEM copy is that these are Tied to the hardware they are first installed with and cannot legally be transferred to new hardware, (Motherboards are considered new hardware so if you do install windows 7 do it after you have your new MB installed).

As for cooling the processor, it depends on the package you get, Some include basic cooling, some include more advanced, some include just the processor, (not even including thermal paste)

whs · 07 Feb 2016

I saw this Windows 7 for $108. Looked like a decent deal.

Amazon.com: Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit, System Builder OEM DVD 1 Pack (New Packaging): Software

mark4x4 · 07 Feb 2016

Is Windows 10 really that bad?
Is Windows 7 really worth upgrading? even though its end of service life is soon up.

Yeah Amazon has a ton of W7 64bit OEM's for $50, some say open package thats why I am a little concerned.
I can find W7 OEM in the $110 to $150 range all day long. Seems to be the one good product MS put out. Amazon themselves sells W7 for $105.

Another bummer is I need to buy yet again a MS Office suite, probably home/student version 2013, or 2016 version. If 2016 isnt per month charge I am good.

I have seen copies sell for $300-$500-$750 for a non-OEM copy, I think those are called Full Retail, uninstall and reinstall all you want. I would assume MS cracked down on the P2P d/l of their programs.

So are Amazon.com sellers verified by amazon, or is it just like ebay, anybody can go on and sell?
I found one seller with a 100% rating, was thinking about buying 2 or 3 copies off that seller for future mobo/cpu upgrades. Thats kind of the meaning of the OEM sticking to the mobo/cpu.

whs · 07 Feb 2016

I would think that Amazon is safer than Ebay. But how safe I don't know.

Barman58 · 07 Feb 2016

There are bad sellers on Amazon just like on eBay, If possible use Amazon direct rather than the Market Place Sellers. Both outlets offer a money back guarantee, I am an amazon Prime member and have found their refund system good and the same with eBay but there can be charges involved for returns by "normal" customers.

torchwood · 07 Feb 2016

Try having a look at the business refurbs on your larger computer chains stores websites.

You'll probobly have to scroll down a bit as they dont really tend to make them front page items.
They tend to be pro/ultimate versions, but they will be legal.

Roy

Layback Bear · 07 Feb 2016

How about going to your local brick and mortar store and buying Windows 7.
Save your paper work in case their is a problem.

paul1149 · 07 Feb 2016

I want to upgrade this system rather then buy a refurbished unit with W7 already installed

If you buy a used OEM system you get Windows essentially for free. You might get a distressed machine where the MB is still good for very cheap, then soup it up yourself. Of course, shipping on a desktop can amount to a bit.

I personally don't think there's THAT much difference between Vista and 7. If you're having problems maybe Vista needs a fresh install.

mark4x4 · 07 Feb 2016

Well I have read many many times, that Vista was the worst o/s that MS ever put out, and I have read countless times as well that Windows 7 was the best o/s MS ever put out.

There seems to be a mass of people that say that. Whether its from personal experience (builders, programmers, Mr. Joe common guy etc.), towing the line people (agree just to agree get post count up or whatever), bloggers/twitterers (people that read then repeat what they read), then theres the flip-side, people that say the complete opposites. Like for example, Microsoft Community pages. Or Vista is exactly like Windows 7. Thats the first time I ever read that. Amazing.

I just read MS is doing away with numbered windows (windows 7, 8, 10 etc) and simply going towards "WINDOWS" with forced updates. This is very worry-some (worrisome?) for me. If I can get my programs to STOP "Not Responding" while I have a gazillion internet pages open, word, games then I would be happy and never need to upgrade the system again.

I have looked quite extensively at Refurbished units. And it seems lots of companies are dumping the same system onto the market. They dont list specs so I copy and paste product and get specs on the mobo, cpu, ram etc. Seems most are lower speed ram, 1333, cases are small (I want ATX and dont care about space saving as it sits under the desk).

I know that point is valid, buy refurbed unit for W7 64bit and save $50 to $150 on o/s software, look for a decent mobo, ram, cpu. I tell you this, once I find a decent refurb unit with specs I like and that are half decent in a ATX case, its the exact same cost, if not more, then it is for me to buy a MOBO($125), CPU($175), RAM($60), SSD-HD($60) AND WINDOWS 7($50-$120). Total is $450CDN.

Maybe instead of looking at the overall specs, I should look at individual parts, like look at the MOBO see what frequency of ram it supports, see what chipset the CPU is, and see if it has DDR3 with 4 slots plus see what frequency the DDR3 can be, is it maxed out at 1866, or 1333 etc etc etc. This overall might save me $100, maybe $150, tops $200. I will give it a go though.