What OS is better for games?


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Well, a 64-bit OS is a must for you, being you have 6GB of RAM. I am currently using Windows 7 as my only OS and enjoying every second of it. To be honest, a lot of games are running better on Windows 7 than Windows XP. For me, Vista didn't perform very well, even with my system. Maybe it was just a bad install, but my CPU would constantly spike and the system would become unresponsive for seconds at a time.

I would suggest just getting the Windows 7 x64 RC, unless you aren't too keen on running an OS that will eventually expire. Otherwise, Vista x64 should suit you just fine.

here are my specs in case you were wondering:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz

Corsair XMS2 4096MB DDR2-800

BFG GeForce 9800 GT OC PCI-E 16x 2.0

80GB 7200RPM SATA

160GB 7200RPM SATA

ViewSonic 19" LCD

Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers

Windows 7 RC

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I always liked plain XP to game more than Vista. DX10 is nice if you play a ton of new games, but I'll take midgrade graphics, don't need to see the wrinkles on guys faces that I'm going to shoot.

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I don't understand all the variations in responses. By now I'd figure it is common knowledge that Windows 7 x64, or Vista x64 SP2 are the best options. It's fact at this point. No more debate needed. It's not about opinion. If you have a somewhat current system these new generations of Windows are going to outperform XP.

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Windows 7 RC2 :) 32/64 then Server 2008 for these who dislike end user OSes then Windows server 2003 and 32/64bit Vista SP2 then 32/64bit SP3 XP then rest :)

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Vista SP2 x64 is the obvious choice for me. Games have run great on it and incredibly stable (except for buggy Fallout 3). I don't see how you could run XP x64 just for the fact that when you aren't gaming, drivers and support isn't the greatest.

People like to still say XP x86 because they refuse to upgrade to Vista because they will lose 1-5 FPS in games. There is that myth behind Vista and some people refuse to get past it.

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Windows 7 RC2 :) 32/64 then Server 2008 for these who dislike end user OSes then Windows server 2003 and 32/64bit Vista SP2 then 32/64bit SP3 XP then rest :)

Let's not suggest anyone use a server OS for end-user tasks. That's been discussed and been determined that this practice is not any more beneficial to the end-user than using it's respective client OS.

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Vista SP2 64 is better for me, because of Star Wars Galaxies and others.

Windows XP is not good for Star Wars Galaxies, I know, I tested it, but failed, because the game is slowest.

Gameboy

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Let's not suggest anyone use a server OS for end-user tasks. That's been discussed and been determined that this practice is not any more beneficial to the end-user than using it's respective client OS.

thats why the dislike part ... :) ... anyway whoever knows how use server OS then use it ... otherwise it will be just another fail :)

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Ancient Computer? Windows 2000 SP5

With 6GB RAM? XP x64 (supports up to 128GB I believe?)

With 4GB RAM? XP x32

Don't care about RAM? XP x32 because WoW slows down x32 apps just a tiny bit and also gives more overhead to XPx64.

DX10? vLited Vista x64. Vista ain't bad as long as you remove the overhead BS.

I am not recommending a BETA OS. Be patient, XP and Vista sucked when they were released.

Whichever OS you choose, make sure it is up to date!!

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Vista SP2 x64 is the obvious choice for me. Games have run great on it and incredibly stable (except for buggy Fallout 3). I don't see how you could run XP x64 just for the fact that when you aren't gaming, drivers and support isn't the greatest.

People like to still say XP x86 because they refuse to upgrade to Vista because they will lose 1-5 FPS in games. There is that myth behind Vista and some people refuse to get past it.

It isn't a myth dude, my last computer had on average 75-80% (by this i meaning 30-50FPS range less) loss of FPS using vista with very little change under SP1 in relation to XP SP3. I haven't touched it since really and sticking to 7 will gladly wipe xp off computer for good once RTM rolls around.

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I'm really getting sick of 64 bit windows. Neither vista 64 or xp 64 work well consistently. They both tend to corrupt their own files, which I've not had a problem with 32 bit windows having in a long, long time.

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For now, Vista 64bit. For anything with 2GB of RAM or more. The OS runs much better than XP after installing Service Pack 2. I don't see how people can say that it is bloated. OEM maybe, but surely you don't mean the retail version is bloated, right?

I haven't tried 7 yet, personally, but it looks like it is going to replace Vista 64bit (and XP).

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I've noticed no difference playing games in Vista x64, to XP.

I do however have a modern up to date system, but still.

I've noticed real differences when switching to Vista x64 from Vista x86, my system is just more responsive and I can put to full use my 4go and my Quad Core with sweet 64bits apps.

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XP (not x64) if you don't worry about DX10. Also remember you'll limit your ram to ~3.3gb

Windows 7 x64 if you do. Even the RC is stable as, so i'd go with that for everything thesedays!

+1 Win 7 simply put, by far the best OS to come out of Redmond since XP!!!! Although you may have compatibility issues with older games, but goig forward DirectX10 wise Win7 is the place to be

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XP - if you don't know how to tune and tweak the performance for gaming.

Vista x64 - if you do know how to tune and tweak the performance for gaming.

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It isn't a myth dude, my last computer had on average 75-80% (by this i meaning 30-50FPS range less) loss of FPS using vista with very little change under SP1 in relation to XP SP3. I haven't touched it since really and sticking to 7 will gladly wipe xp off computer for good once RTM rolls around.

That is obviously specific to your rig, because it doesn't happen to all vista users.

Personally my recommendation is Vista SP2 X64

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Windows 7 X64 cause with your amount of ram and surely specs you want o be able to take advantage of all your hardware . with windows XP you will be limited in how your hardware is used and course ram and tho windows XP X64 may have matured some since 2005 it is still considered by most users as a NO NO so go with windows 7 RC X64 since it will be launched and out in October

Oh and even if you did use windows Vista X64 ther is no tweaking needed for any sort of gaming it should work fine out of the box with up-dated drivers but at anyrate tho windows 7 is much faster anyways so just FYI

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...

DX10? vLited Vista x64. Vista ain't bad as long as you remove the overhead BS.

...

Vlited installs just cause more issues.

It isn't a myth dude, my last computer had on average 75-80% (by this i meaning 30-50FPS range less) loss of FPS using vista with very little change under SP1 in relation to XP SP3. I haven't touched it since really and sticking to 7 will gladly wipe xp off computer for good once RTM rolls around.

And Vista pre SP1 gave me a 10% performance increase over XP SP2. A single cause doesn't mean the myth is real.

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