Windows 7 64-Bit or Windows 8 64-Bit For Gaming

[WildWayz]

Apologies if this has been covered already. I did try a quick search but didn't find anything (which is weird, as I thought it would be all over!).

I am getting my new system built and I am wondering what OS to put on it out of Windows 7 64-Bit or Windows 8 64-Bit. I own both of them already, so I can put whichever on there.

My system spec is this:

Intel Core i5-3450 3.1GHz CPU (Quad Core)

8GB DDR3 Memory

1000GB Hard Drive

AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB

Blu-ray Drive

2 Years Warranty

BenQ RL2240H 22" Gaming LED Monitor

Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 USB

I know the KB and Mouse aren't great, but I didnt want to go over this budget at this stage... may get a proper gaming mouse later.

Games are will be playing are:

Far Cry 3

Battlefield 3

Dishonoured

Black Ops 2

Hitman Absolution

As said, I have used Windows 8 before and quite like it, but don't mind dropping to Windows 7. Also will both be fine if I go down SSD route later on?

Thanks all!

[fusi0n]

The bechmarks suggest that are about the same.. I had Windows 8 on my gaming box for 1 day.. and reloaded Windows 7 back Thats just me though.. I think Steam being intergrated with the start screen would be pretty cool.. but I just like Windows 7 better..

Going down to the SSD route would be great.. Windows 8 starts up very fast with those.. One thing I did like about WIndows 8.

[f0rk_b0mb]

I like Windows 7 better. Use what you like. :)

[WildWayz]

Thanks guys. I read early reports that seem to show games performing less on Windows 8 - probably driver issue though. The new Catalyst drivers are meant to add 30%ish improvement to BF3...

[spaceelf]

Thanks guys. I read early reports that seem to show games performing less on Windows 8 - probably driver issue though. The new Catalyst drivers are meant to add 30%ish improvement to BF3...

90% of benchmarks show no change.

Load times for games on the other hand definitely seem better in 8, but I don't think I've seen benches on that.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Windows 7 is definitely the more proven OS, however word is Win 8 is just fine for gaming as well.

But if you want zero issues, go Win 7. I would say you probably will face zero issues using Win 8 as well, but it is pretty much a guarantee there will be no issues with 7 since it has been around for awhile now.

I would say it really comes down to preference and what you prefer. Really do not think you can go wrong with either one.

[tsupersonic]

I've upgraded from W7 to W8 (both 64-bit). I have noticed very minimal (if any) difference in most of my games. The one thing I have noticed is internet throughput is a lot worse in W8, especially latency in speed tests. Rather than do a fresh install to see if it fixes it, I'm going to switch back to W7 for personal reasons.

[fusi0n]

I've upgraded from W7 to W8 (both 64-bit). I have noticed very minimal (if any) difference in most of my games. The one thing I have noticed is internet throughput is a lot worse in W8, especially latency in speed tests. Rather than do a fresh install to see if it fixes it, I'm going to switch back to W7 for personal reasons.

I noticed this in Windows Server 2012 about the throughput being kinda high for no reason..

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Both operating systems are great for gaming so go with the one you like. Personally, I'd stick with Windows 7 because I don't like the UI changes Microsoft made to Windows 8.

[torrentthief]

graphics drivers will likely be buggy for 6-12 months on windows 8 so i'd use win7.

[WildWayz]

Hmmmm think I may stick with Windows 7 64-Bit then. Will miss the quick boot tho :p

My laptop (no SSD) would be ready to rock and roll in 20 seconds in Windows 8! :D

[spaceelf]

I haven't noticed many graphics drivers problems in 8, but the network tweaks they made seem to be bugging the crap out of some people. I know I've had some issues with that part too.

[count0nz]

I'd go with windows 8.

!. it has DirectX 11.1 support your games will take advantage of the extra features only in Windows 8

2. Better memory management

3. Just feels Faster...

4. Learn to use the Keyboard shortcuts. i hardly use the mouse to Control the Metro interface.

Winkey + C = Charms, Winkey +D Desktop. etc, Winkey = Menu..

Remove all the Extra crap you don't need .. Make your games there own Section. Etc.. (Pin most used Games to TaskBar)

Etc. Etc.. Windows 8 has a Learning curve but its Sweet after you get around the Paradime shift.

[Xilo]

Windows 7

[Astra.Xtreme]

!. it has DirectX 11.1 support your games will take advantage of the extra features only in Windows 8

Won't matter unless your GPU supports 11.1.

edit: Looks like the Radeon HD 7850 supports 11.1. Newegg has it labeled wrong.

[yowanvista]

!. it has DirectX 11.1 support your games will take advantage of the extra features only in Windows 8

No current games will even make use of DX11.1, most recently released games support DX9/10/11 only, there isn't even any major features added in DX11.1 besides the integrated 3D garbage. Makes no point to upgrade to Windows 8 just for the gimmick DX11.1

[notuptome2004]

graphics drivers will likely be buggy for 6-12 months on windows 8 so i'd use win7.

Wrong as windows 7 and windows 8 drivers are the same except the fact windows 8 version drivers use WDDM 1.2 driver model .

[spaceelf]

Won't matter unless your GPU supports 11.1.

edit: Looks like the Radeon HD 7850 supports 11.1. Newegg has it labeled wrong.

I think most DX11 cards are 11.1 compatible, but they're still marked as 11 cards. I'd have to verify that though.

but the network tweaks they made seem to be bugging the crap out of some people. I know I've had some issues with that part too.

Which, on that note, just made me start using cFosSpeed again on my new broadband conn. (And yes, I'm talking to myself.)

[*RedBull*]

I would go with Windows 8 on SSD (Y)

[firey]

Personally I'd stick with 7, as there are a lot more optimizations driver wise. I personally am avoiding 8 like the plague, but from a logic standpoint of (tried, tested, true) I'd go with 7. There has been a lot more time to work out the problems, and chances are the games were developed on/for 7.

[Growled Member]

I'd stick with 7 myself. It's stable and proven.

[MorganX]

90% of benchmarks show no change.

Load times for games on the other hand definitely seem better in 8, but I don't think I've seen benches on that.

I know that's what the benchmarks say, but all my games run better in Windows 8 including Telltale's Walking Dead at 1080p. Same hardware. Need for speed is ridiculous.

While overall speed is slightly better in 8, all hiccups, occasional stutters here and there appear to be gone. I'd say go for 8, unless you just hate it. Can't go wrong with 7 either.

Personally I'd stick with 7, as there are a lot more optimizations driver wise. I personally am avoiding 8 like the plague, but from a logic standpoint of (tried, tested, true) I'd go with 7. There has been a lot more time to work out the problems, and chances are the games were developed on/for 7.

Without a doubt there are some driver issues, but for me those have been few and in the OS and Flash. Games have been flawless.

[spaceelf]

I've had some games load up black screen but work fine in a window, so I'd agree with driver issues, but they're pretty minor overall.

[Raa]

Just go with Windows 7. IF you want, you can upgrade to Windows 8 later.

Although for gaming, I can't see any major advantages - yet.

[DavidM]

I haven't noticed any disadvantage or advantage to Windows 8, it seems pretty much the same to be, but I'm using an nVidia card, so you may have a different experience. Don't forget W8 is built on Windows 7 and I really doubt they made that many changes to the "gaming stuff".

nVidia has the same drivers for Win8 as they do Win7, so it can't be too much different or interact with the driver that much differently.