Windows 7 or 8.1 for new build?

[DanceswithUnix]

Civ 5 definitely works on 8.1, I played it as recently as 2 weeks ago. Pretty sure Shogun 2 works as well, but I don't have it installed at present - can certainly test it as it's in my Steam library. What had you heard didn't work about them?

EDIT - ok, I'm downloading now and should have it in a few mins. Let me know what aspects you think don't work and I'll have a go at breaking it

I play Civ V natively in Linux, so given it is multi platform I would be stunned if Win8.1 couldn't run it.

[OldFartAtPlay]

I dont have the problems as i hsvent tried win 8.1 yet.... i just googked compatability and losds of people have had problems.I have finished new build now - just re-used an old win 7 retail license i had.

[TeaLeaf]

I did my new build about 6 months back and went with 8.1 for the low power states benefit. Whilst I had to turn off all of the gesture nonsense I've found it to be more stable than W7 (ie one program crash does not crash the whole system) and very quick. There are aspects of W8 which are a distinct advantage, like the search feature for programs.

[RobbieRoy]

I put Win 10 TP on my new build and am running steam and origin games well. A couple of installers needed running in Win 7 or Win 8 compatibility mode, but apart from that no problems. When the TP issue expires in April next year I'll simply buy what comes out after the TP process irons out issues (like working well with some AV programmes).

[Normanyakuza]

im using window 7 home premium..dont have any problems

[csgohan4]

Aren't Microsoft pulling support in Jan 2015 for Win 7?

[kalniel]

Aren't Microsoft pulling support in Jan 2015 for Win 7?

Complimentary manned support and new feature requests yes. Patching, paid support etc. continues until 2020.

[Mr Fodds]

If you're using the system primarily for gaming, I'd suggest sticking with Windows 7, as it used less RAM for system functions. Personally, I don't see the reason in changing to 8.1 at the moment with Windows 10 round the corner. So if you've got a copy of Win 7 lying around or can find one reasonably cheap, I'd go for that.

[Agent]

If you're using the system primarily for gaming, I'd suggest sticking with Windows 7, as it used less RAM for system functions.

What?
No it doesn't. Windows 8 uses less RAM, cerainly for 'system functions', somtimes by considerable amounts: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2...windows-8.aspx

There is a reason you can run full fat Windows 8 on a 1GB RAM tablet now.

I absolutely can't stand 'Metro', but once you take that out of the picture (Start8, classicshell) I simply can't think of a reason to go with 7 over 8. 8 is faster in a few areas (certainly booting), has several optimizations over 7, brings the excellent ribbon interface to explorer, and will be supported longer.

Incompatible software is very rare for home users, with you being unlikely to come across anything that doesn't work on it, or can't be got to work.
If you need an OS now, IMO you'd be mad not to buy 8, unless you have very specific requirements.

[TeaLeaf]

I'd tend to agree. W8 has out-performed and been more stable than W7 in my experience.

[carvedeye]

Windows 8 is terrible yes it is lighter on the hardware and uses less ram but installing it takes bloody ages especially when doing a factory restore

[shaithis]

8.1

It is already faster in BF4 (thanks to DX11.1), more games should release with that and you get a free upgrade to Windows 10 and DX12.

[georgehayward]

I would say Windows 8.1 because of the better performance. i have an overclocked GTX 570 and struggled in Battlefield 4 to push 60FPS on medium settings @1080p on Windows 7. On Windows 8.1, I play on high settings and it never drops below 55, so quite a performance boost if you ask me.

[DarkflameZM]

Windows 8.1 all the way simply because of its faster boot speeds, less ram usage and full SSD support.

I simply install ClassicShell to bring back to the old start menu and disable the annoying charm menu / active corners.

[excalibur2]

Could you wait until win 10 is released and read the reviews to see if it's any good? Logically if Microsoft has spent a lot of money developing it, surely it couldn't be worse than win 7 or 8....anyway if the reviews are bad you can always go back to win 7 or 8.

[DarkflameZM]

I believe Windows 10 will be Windows 8 perfected just like Windows 7 was Vista perfected.

MS need their next OS to have excellent first impressions (unlike 8 and Vista) so they will be trying their hardest, but we shall see how they do.