windows 7. any1 tryied it???

[0iD]

If you're running a 64bit processor, then a 64bit O/S is for you. If you have an old 32 bit processor, then obviously go 32bit. However, If you're planning to upgrade from 32bit to 64, then get a retail version of Win7 & not OEM, and again, go 64bit. As 'Hex said, you'll need it to address the ram you'll need. 32bit windows will only ever address 3mb ram, & that's with using the 3gb switch (otherwise only 2gb will be used).

[irth1ing]

yes i do know about the 32bit limitation on the ram but if for example that i stayed on a 2gb of ram, will i see improved performance on running apps that requires heavy processing?? eg, video converting, seti etc..

since i have a q6600, i take it a 64bit poses no probelm for me..

[PatK]

yes i do know about the 32bit limitation on the ram but if for example that i stayed on a 2gb of ram, will i see improved performance on running apps that requires heavy processing?? eg, video converting, seti etc..

since i have a q6600, i take it a 64bit poses no probelm for me..

If there's a 64 bit native version of that app then, depending on what it's doing, it MIGHT see a small performance boost going to 64 bit Windows. At the same time, some apps might see performance dip slightly! It really depends on the app.. try to look out some benchmarks on 32 bit VS 64 bit for the app you're interested in..

[irth1ing]

yes, i understand.. i never enter the 64bit but i suppose it is time for me to be updated..
lol.. call me old fashion... but i enjoyed using xp as it got what i most needed. but i think it's about time i step into the 64 bit realm!!!!

i'm downloading the windows 7 enterprise now, and will give it a good testing..

and from what i heard so far, i'm pretty sure i won't be disappointed.

[TheAnimus]

If there's a 64 bit native version of that app then, depending on what it's doing, it MIGHT see a small performance boost going to 64 bit Windows. At the same time, some apps might see performance dip slightly! It really depends on the app.. try to look out some benchmarks on 32 bit VS 64 bit for the app you're interested in..

And plenty of apps run about 30% faster on modern Intel chips.

Hardly small imo

[dangel]

As 'Hex said, you'll need it to address the ram you'll need. 32bit windows will only ever address 3mb ram, & that's with using the 3gb switch (otherwise only 2gb will be used).

3mb?

But to be clear - the switch isn't required for 32bit windows to use ~3gb of RAM it'll do that all on it's own. In fact the 'switch' actually means something quite different: it forces the kernel into 1gb of address space and user mode to 3gb which is really only useful for development of drivers etc. It's not something you should ever enable on a regular basis.

[tincaman]

I have installed W7 on a basic Toshiba dual core with 2Gb ram, also my Aspire netbook with 1Gb ram, very pleasant experience on both, the installer picked up all the hardware on both. Runs surprisingly well on the netbook, considering that you wouldn't ever consider running Vista on it.

[pp05]

If you're running a 64bit processor, then a 64bit O/S is for you. If you have an old 32 bit processor, then obviously go 32bit. However, If you're planning to upgrade from 32bit to 64, then get a retail version of Win7 & not OEM, and again, go 64bit. As 'Hex said, you'll need it to address the ram you'll need. 32bit windows will only ever address 3mb ram, & that's with using the 3gb switch (otherwise only 2gb will be used).

So if you're not planning to install more than 3gb of ram stick with 32bit?

[Blitzen]

Im running Windows 7 on my lappy and Vista on my main PC.

To be honest, if you have a decent machine to start with, the upgrade from Vista >>> Windows 7 simply isnt worth the money.

[ABCx86]

To be honest, if you have a decent machine to start with, the upgrade from Vista >>> Windows 7 simply isnt worth the money.

I disagree, for example if you are using your PC as a gaming machine surely you'd be happier with Win 7 because it has DX11. Also Win 7 has TRIM, so if you've got an SSD, best go with Win 7.

I'm running Windows 7 and I really prefer it to Vista, it runs smooth even though my system is old. Vista was like a sack of spuds.

[Blitzen]

I disagree, for example if you are using your PC as a gaming machine surely you'd be happier with Win 7 because it has DX11. Also Win 7 has TRIM, so if you've got an SSD, best go with Win 7.

I'm running Windows 7 and I really prefer it to Vista, it runs smooth even though my system is old. Vista was like a sack of spuds.

DX11 is of no consequence.
It ran like a sack of spuds because you have an old system. That was my point exactly. If you machine is shat then it will be slow on Vista.
SSD's are not mainstream yet so there isn't much of a point there either.
I cannot see your argument?

My PC, although not the newest, still runs Vista very quickly and i have no issues.
Windows 7, for me, made little difference.

Its not even a money thing as i have an MSDN licence.

[irth1ing]

i'm quite impressed with the fact that you do not need to install drivers as it looks for it for you, so installing the 64bit os was a breeze. i was able to install most of my regular software without a hitch and it runs without any problem.. that's a plus...

i got a 5.6 score due to the 800mhz ram and the harddrive, a 5.8 .. the rest is above 7.. so that seems ok ... i'm not sure why but there seems to be a slight lag with the reponse timing (when i click something) ...maybe due to the 2gb ram???

after disabling the 'click to confirm' dialog a find it alot more pleasant compare to vista.. so far i have no complaints, and is alot easier compare to xp to customize windows. apart from all that, it still does give a feeling you are using vista... so it is quite debatable whether spenting another £170-£200 for window 7 is worth it????

i really think ms ought to give discount on vista users as vista was really disappointing, and ms knows that!!! so to spend more ££ for another os similar to the vista.. i'm really don't feel like parting my hard earn cash yet ..lol...

will inform further after more testings...

[pp05]

For those of you who have gone 64bit -

Which 64bit applications are you using?
Browser?
Anti-virus?
Media player?


if ram is the only thing going for 64bit then I will stick with 32bit version for now when I get my copy.

[ABCx86]

DX11 is of no consequence.
It ran like a sack of spuds because you have an old system. That was my point exactly. If you machine is shat then it will be slow on Vista.
SSD's are not mainstream yet so there isn't much of a point there either.
I cannot see your argument?

My PC, although not the newest, still runs Vista very quickly and i have no issues.
Windows 7, for me, made little difference.

Its not even a money thing as i have an MSDN licence.

Well I ran both Win 7 and Vista on the same old(slow) system, all I'm saying is Win 7 seems much smoother, thats my argument. I know alot of other people have noticed similar improvements on newer systems too.

SSD's are not mainstream yet, but might as well be future proof?

Why is DX11 of no consequence? With DX11 cards just being released.

But I do agree it's not worth the full retail price to go from Vista to Win 7. However the student deal (Win 7 for £30) I think is worth it, and £65 at scan is worth it too IMO.

[blackbirds]

I did a little benchmark thing to compare W7x86 to Vux86 doing the Counterstrike video stress test, and Vista turned out about 5% faster than Win7. I retested multiple times, but Vista always remained the faster OS. How valid this benchmark is given the age of the hardware and software I used (nothing younger than 2005 vintage) is, I don't know. Although, I don't really care - the crucial thing is not how fast stuff runs, but how fast it is to use, and that's where Win7 wins, especially with its window resizing and snapping madskillz. As a man with free access to the MS operating system catalogue courtesy of a MSDN subscription, I don't use anything less than Win7x64 on any of my systems. 'Cept the webbook, natch.

[watercooled]

You must remember you're using early drivers for 7 and a pre-release version of the OS so I'd say comparison benchmarks are unfair at this stage.