Thinking about upgrading to Vista

[amdalex]

I'm thinking about upgrading to Windows Vista home premium 64 bit this winter. I have XP right now and I plan on doing a fresh install on a 500gb hard drive. My computer specs,

Mobo- Gigabyte GA-MA69G-S3H
CPU- AMD 5000+ X2 Black edition OC to 3.0ghz
RAM- 2gb DDR-2 800
Graphics- Nvidia 8400gs

I'm also going to get 4gb more of memory when I buy the hard drive and Vista. Will my computer handle Vista and will it be faster? My motherboard driver disk for Vista says 64 bit on it so, will my drivers work with Vista 64 bit? Also can I get Vista 64 bit drivers for my graphics card? thanks

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by amdalex I'm thinking about upgrading to Windows Vista home premium 64 bit this winter. I have XP right now and I plan on doing a fresh install on a 500gb hard drive. My computer specs, Mobo- Gigabyte GA-MA69G-S3H CPU- AMD 5000+ X2 Black edition OC to 3.0ghz RAM- 2gb DDR-2 800 Graphics- Nvidia 8400gs I'm also going to get 4gb more of memory when I buy the hard drive and Vista. Will my computer handle Vista and will it be faster? My motherboard driver disk for Vista says 64 bit on it so, will my drivers work with Vista 64 bit? Also can I get Vista 64 bit drivers for my graphics card? thanks

Download the VISTA UPGRADE ADVISOR and run it.
Not too many things about VISTA that impress me.
The AERO interface looks good. I like that.
Can't really think of anything else.
Always some type of pop up reminder from VISTA from somewhere.
Not very good for networking.
It's slower than XP.
It's not really an upgrade - more like just a step over.

[shadowpr]

Originally Posted by chuck4456 It's slower than XP. It's not really an upgrade - more like just a step over.

Not true.


Just check the motherboar manufacturer website to see if they have vista 64 drivers. They probably do.

That video card should also be supported as well.

You will also want to check that your peripherals to see if they have vista 64 drivers.

Most newer hardware does have them.

[chuck4456]

Originally Posted by shadowpr Not true.

Well.
Sure seems that way whenever I use it.
I've noticed slower Super Pi times with similar system setups using VISTA as opposed to XP.
Maybe I'm just not holding my mouth right!

[amdalex]

As far as I can tell all the drivers support Vista 64. Will I gain anymore speed with Vista 64?

[Alaron]

Doubtful. At best it would be a lateral move, though there are surely people who'd say its worse and some would say its better. Depends on the individual configuration really.

[not important]

I doubt you will see a significant, or any, speed gain with Vista.

[Spearball]

Like Alaron mentioned its about what the user wants and not what the OS has to offer. Ive had vista 64 bit since it came out and i myself find it O.K, even for gaming. But then again, if you enable all of vistas visual effects and features than you will notice a slowdown. But now that sp1 is out it did fix major issues.

[Alexjfinch]

I agree with the rest I can't see a speed gain from the move.

Although for keeping up with the times and updates then yeah!, how long before mircosoft stops supporting XP? I know they've stopped distributing the OS.

[not important]

Originally Posted by Alexjfinch Although for keeping up with the times and updates then yeah!, how long before mircosoft stops supporting XP? I know they've stopped distributing the OS.

XP will be supported in the "Extended Support Phase" until April 2014, is still available for retail purchase sold and is still included on some pre-builts.

[gamechief]

need i mind you guys how much faster Vista 64bit is then XP.It takes alomst full advantage of your computer. Also playing your games generates a least 5 percent more framerates with most games than what XP does. A lot of people seem to think that just because it 64bit your older applications have no chance of working. Vsta 64bit allows you to run an older program in 32bit format thus making most programs compatible.

When you think about it the more innovative you get in making a OS the most power your going to need to run it and since Hardware these days are expanding in performance and reliability vista is just a prime example of whats to come when companies talk about how their OS will impact the market or tech scene.

[Spearball]

To get full throttle out of 64 bit, all your program have to be 64 bit. And it doesn't necessarily speed up you computer, it make it more efficient using 64 "bits" of data than 32.

But yes vista is fine and even better in certain areas according to myself.

[gamechief]

in my experience in using Vista's 64bit i notice a considerable increase in overall performance compared to XP and looking at various bench marks around the net it also proves that point.

[not important]

Benchmarking will show a lot that a user will never see.
XP sales will now be extended until June '09 by MS.....about the same time Windows 7 is supposed to be debuted.

[gamechief]

hold on Windows 7 isnt expected till mid 2010 and they are putting windows XP back on selves i dont think that is very productive especially if you want the user base to begin using Vista more

[cadlewv]

I've got a question. Would Vista 64-bit not be faster than XP 32-bit? I mean, that's what most people would be upgrading from right? How many people have been using XP 64-bit anyway?

I'm thinking of upgrading to Vista 64-bit from XP 32-bit. With the components in my signature, would it be worth it for me? Also, I certainly wouldn't have a problem getting another 4GB of RAM...

[not important]

Instead of buying Vista give Windows 7 64Bit Beta a try. It's what Vista should have been.

[cadlewv]

Problem is, it's a beta... I would never use a beta as my main OS. Secondly, it's not going to be out until late 2010.... so, back to my original question....

[shadowpr]

The biggest chalange in upgrading will be that you can't upgrade for a 32 to a 64 bit, at least as far as I know. You will have to do a fresh install.

Then you would need to check to see if you can find the vista 64 drivers for all your equipment, with peripherals being the most likely problem.

Also, if you use older programs, you might want to check if they would run on vista, and vista 64 at that. Newer programs seem to work fine from what I have seen.

If all that is ok, then you should be fine. And I wouldn't get anothe 4gb of ram unless there was a specific need for it. 4gb is still enough for most people.

[cadlewv]

Yeah, sorry for the misnomer (upgrading)... I am aware that it will need to be a fresh install. Not really a problem, as I just got done building my new system, and have an image to go back to if I'm not pleased with Vista. But as far as speed, will it not be a noticeable improvement over 32-bit XP? Also, Vista will allow me to run old programs in 32-bit mode right?

[shadowpr]

Some programs just might not run on vista, reguardless of 32 or 64. That is usually with older programs though.

As for it being noticably faster than xp, I would have to say no. If all equipment is the same, then both os are about the same. XP might be a bit faster in some areas, and vista in others. 64 would be faster in using 64 bit applications.

Personally, I went with vista 64 and love it.

[cadlewv]

Well, heck... the OS itself would qualify as a 64-bit program wouldn't it?

[shadowpr]

The os is 64 bit, but you would still be running programs in it.

If this is going to be a new build with a new os, then you will probably be happy with the speed reguardless of the os.

[cadlewv]

Ok.. thanks to all for your answers.

[rjfvillarosa]

I have never been fussed on Vista and that is not really a fair thing to say as the only experience I have of it is from new builds and laptops I have supplied to customers. That said, I have been Beta testing Windows 7 now for a little under a week and I must be honest I don't think I ever will use Vista now, I will just go striaght from XP to 7. Windows 7 does everything that Vista can do without the problems that I have read about (not experienced).

[not important]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa I have been Beta testing Windows 7 now for a little under a week and I must be honest I don't think I ever will use Vista now, I will just go striaght from XP to 7. Windows 7 does everything that Vista can do without the problems that I have read about (not experienced).

Same here. I tried Vista and had no use for it. 7 Beta is a much better OS. I haven't found any of my softwre or hardware that won't work in 7.
I will continue to use 7 until the Beta expires and purchase 7 when it is released.