New install Windows 7 or Vista 64 bit or 32bit?

[Dorfdad]

I just bought a new machine. AMD Phenon X4955 3.2 quad core, New asus motheboard with 8 gb DDR3 ram, and an ATI Radeon 4890 1gb video card.

I building this for gaming and multimedia. I have an iMac for important stuff like family images etc.. SO this is my gaming rig!

Im confussed as what OS to go with Vista or Windows 7 (i found 7137 for windwos 7 64bit)

I need dameon tools pro and sandboxie or some kind of virtual PC so I can shield against virius for keygens etc.

I feel that 32bit OS would be a waste, but I hear there are all kinds of problems with 64bit still no flash players etc..

Can someone more experienced with these matters give me your recommendation?

Thanks
Dorf

 

[John Henry]

I feel that 32bit OS would be a waste, but I hear there are all kinds of problems with 64bit still no flash players etc..

what do you mean for no flash under 64bit? How do you think we watch youtube videos on 64bit system?

and of course if you bought 8gb (which you will never use unless you are working with raw video encoding) you'd need a 64 bit system. Vista is stable, 7 is beta and you may encounter some problems and may not, but actually, what are you looking in win 7 for? Test purposes or just 7 thirsty?

 

[Dorfdad]

a little of both! Im building this for games and video editing, conversion and streaming of music and movies through the house.

I was under the impression windows 7 64 browsers did not support flash media yet as adobe was working on it!??

 

[John Henry]

a little of both! Im building this for games and video editing, conversion and streaming of music and movies through the house.

I was under the impression windows 7 64 browsers did not support flash media yet as adobe was working on it!??

i installed flash for IE8 and for Firefox(32bit version) and have no problems.

 

[Dwarf]

I'm sure I've written or stated this elsewhere before, but I'll say it again. The 64-bit versions of W7 (and Vista) include not only a 64-bit version of IE, but also a 32-bit version as well. If I find that something isn't working in the 64-bit browser because an add-on is required (e.g. Adobe Flash) that isn't available for 64-bit, then I switch to the 32-bit browser. It's no big deal. After all, both versions are supplied, so it makes sense to use them. Heck, even MS's Silverlight isn't 64-bit compatible yet.
Since I only use IE, I cannot comment on the performance or 3rd party add-on compatibilities of other browsers.

 

[Dorfdad]

ok thanks for the input guys but no one has answered which OS I should do for at this point? I have found 7137 on the net but not sure if thats what I should start with?

 

[DaddyRabbit]

ok thanks for the input guys but no one has answered which OS I should do for at this point? I have found 7137 on the net but not sure if thats what I should start with?

While I cannot tell you specifically which OS you SHOULD start with I can say that, IMHO, stick with the official MS builds (7100 for RC1) if you are going with Win7 (again, my opinion).

Vista has been out a bit but the Seven RC1 build is pretty danged stable for me.

As for 32 vs. 64 bit, well you have 8 gigs of RAM, 4 of which will be wasted, unless you go 64 bit.
The only two devices that I had issues with under Win7 64bit were my HP 2175 AIW, and the Line6 Variax USB interface. The HP wouldn't work under WinXP 64bit, and only had basic print capability under Vista... HP Tech Support suggested I buy a new (they provided a list) HP printer (note: there will NEVER be another HP product in my house again!). Line6 I can be a bit more forgiving of as they aren't going to make a bunch off of updating the drivers and Workbench for Variax guitars (would be nice though).

Were it I making this decision I would download the 64bit RC1 ISO from MS and try that (you have a year to try it for free), if that doesn't work for all of your periphs (you'll know quickly), then you can think about spending cash.

Chances are that RC1 will suit all of your stated needs however and give you time to save the $ to buy the OS.

And, by all means go 64bit...

 

[reghakr]

Agree,

64-bit will rule some day.

In my case I run some very old utilities that are no longer available on the web, plus my Internet Security Suite did not work on the 64-bit version.

So i really had to go back to 32-bit due to program incompatibility

Eventually they will catch up and I'll be using 64-bit as well.

 

[John Henry]

Agree,

64-bit will rule some day.

In my case I run some very old utilities that are no longer available on the web, plus my Internet Security Suite did not work on the 64-bit version.

So i really had to go back to 32-bit due to program incompatibility

Eventually they will catch up and I'll be using 64-bit as well.

you can always use some virtual pc emulation program in your 64bit system and install a 32bit on a virtual HDD so you can run those out of date utilities.

 

[Anthony]

Just bare in mind that if you go Win7RC at this stage you only have until June 2010 before you have to buy RTM = Re-install

You could split your hard drive and make 2 partitions one for Vista and one for Testing/playing with Win7.

Just some ideas thrown in

 

[Dorfdad]

Thanks for the input Im not worried about JUNE 2010. As im sure once it goes retail I will be re-installing it

Im more worried about it being stable at this point. I want to fire it up and be gaming not worried about BSOD and incompatibility. However it would give me a chance to learn windows 7 at the same time so when reatial comes Im edumacated.

 

[reghakr]

you can always use some virtual pc emulation program in your 64bit system and install a 32bit on a virtual HDD so you can run those out of date utilities.

I will give that a try, however, I have some 16-bit applications as well.

I've been installing some programs of a CD and I noticed the setup.exe file had the generic icon. I guess Windows 7 requires that you have multiple resolutions and sizes to display the apps true icon

The tool tip indicated it was a 16-bit stub, and the only way to install was to run as Administrator and it then installed OK

 

[Avien]

Could you let us know what kind of games you worried about? I myself am somewhat of a gamer, and have not had any problems with Windows 7 64bit yet.

 

[DOC8]

I moved from vista 32 bit to Windows 7 ultimate build 7100 64 bit. I'll never go back to 32 bit. 64 bit takes time to get use to,but you'll have extra time because it is so fast. I have 4 gb you 8 gb WOW! what are you waiting for. I say go for it .good luck DOC

 

[Jverse]

Ok, beyond any shadow of a doubt use 64bit. I am a heavy gamer, in both senses of the meaning. As to what OS to use, that is totally up to what games you are going to be playing and the video card you will be using. Some specs on your system would be very helpful, mostly what videocard. Alot of windows 7 users seem to be having issues with 8800GTX cards and some aren't.

If I were you I would do as much research on the video card I was using vs the OS that I was planning on implementing into my system. Then I would make a decision based on my research.

IMO, I would go with windows 7 Build 1327, but I am the type that likes the latest and greatest by any means. Any to be honest you should always backup your files no matter what OS you are using. Easier to load up a 15 mins install then to lose 500GB of data. (Not that the data can't be recovered anyway.)

 

[Dorfdad]

Could you let us know what kind of games you worried about? I myself am somewhat of a gamer, and have not had any problems with Windows 7 64bit yet.

I play alot of FPS (Crysis I still need to play!!) RTS, and MMORPG Lord of the Rings etc..

 

[Dorfdad]

Ok, beyond any shadow of a doubt use 64bit. I am a heavy gamer, in both senses of the meaning. As to what OS to use, that is totally up to what games you are going to be playing and the video card you will be using. Some specs on your system would be very helpful, mostly what videocard. Alot of windows 7 users seem to be having issues with 8800GTX cards and some aren't.

If I were you I would do as much research on the video card I was using vs the OS that I was planning on implementing into my system. Then I would make a decision based on my research.

IMO, I would go with windows 7 Build 1327, but I am the type that likes the latest and greatest by any means. Any to be honest you should always backup your files no matter what OS you are using. Easier to load up a 15 mins install then to lose 500GB of data. (Not that the data can't be recovered anyway.)

Installing a ATi 4890 1GB Sapphire, Phenon X4 955 3.2 quad core, ASUS MB 8 GB DDR3 ram, and WD 1TB 7200 SATA, 750W PSU

 

[Orbital Shark]

Any game related questions should be directed Here

Also, for game compatability with Windows 7 (x86 & x64) you can look http://www.sevenforums.com/gaming/5739-windows-7-game-compatibility-list.htmlHere

 

[Jverse]

So basically DX10 games. I play WoW, CS:Source, COD4 and LEft 4 Dead on 7x64.1327 . Crysis is really video card intensive, but I would still run with 7x64. Ultimately it's going to come down to how your full system responds. Give it a run and let us know how it goes.

JV

Installing a ATi 4890 1GB Sapphire, Phenon X4 955 3.2 quad core, ASUS MB 8 GB DDR3 ram, and WD 1TB 7200 SATA, 750W PSU

With that video card I would be running 7x64. Do a little research on the compatibility/drivers with win7 and if all is good. Install and play. Update us on if it runs well or not, would be great info to document.

 

[Dorfdad]

Will due! Just found these forums and Im sure to be around for the long haul! Between this and my own Iphone application review website Im quite busy lately!!