Bootcamp for gaming - XP or 7?

[Patrick J]

Hi everyone

I run Windows 7 in VMWare for everyday use, but for gaming I want to use bootcamp. I am confused whether to install XP or 7.

Reading this forum and googling, I knocked VISTA out of the equation,, but since 7 is almost as nippy as XP, I am not sure.

Any opinions?

 

[Rodus]

If you're using 7 and happy with it then stick with it. Unless you have a major reason for sticking with XP then there's no point really.

 

[Bill Gates]

Windows XP is ancient. I don't know why anyone would even consider installing it today over Windows 7. I think you know my recommendation.

 

[gumbyx84]

Windows XP is ancient. I don't know why anyone would even consider installing it today over Windows 7. I think you know my recommendation.

Cute name.

Anyway, XP is still a decent OS and supports most games. If you are going to be playing newer games that require DX10, I would go with Windows 7. Remember though, you will have to do a full re-install of Win7 once its officially released. Also, if you want to use a 64-bit OS, you're best to stick with Win7. Be warned: If you use any custom drivers (I use a modified libUSB driver to display my PSP display to my computer) they will probably not work in Win7 64-bit without major hacking.

 

[rgarjr]

Yeah, XP is old school man. Win7 is whats hot.

 

[Patrick J]

Thanks for all your replies.

I know that XP is an old system, however, most people say that games run faster on it than on 7. Any personal experiences?

The games i will probably be running are Crysis, UT3, Quake 4, COD4, COD5, GTA4. These are quite modern games.

 

[Rodus]

Do you have a copy of XP already? If yes then it might be worth using that as I'l bet the 7 RC has a shut off date and you'll have to pay for a full copy. I use XP as it runs everything games wise and you can even hack it to run DX10 if you have a compatible GPU. XP will run all the games you mention fine and I'd imagine it'll be supported for a good few years yet.

 

[Zachh]

Gameunreal. When you said that Windows 7 runs games slower than it does on XP.

You are correct, reason being these new OS's are taking up RAM just to run themselves. XP, (if you have a good enough RAM) will run very quickly because it isn't occupying to much just to simply running it. Which will there-for make it faster in the long run, and you're games will run smoothly.

Old OS's are good. I mean jeez, if Win 98 had good compatibility I'd go for that :/

EDIT: Those games you listed, depends on you're RAM, but if you are going to have that many I HIGHLY suggest XP, especially the fact that you already have it, trust me I have had experience, they run like a dream.

 

[Patrick J]

I have XP cds and I pre/ordered Windows7 so upgrading won't be a problem.

The thing is, I think my mac can take advantage of the directX10 in these games, and XP doesn't have DX10 support - How can I use the special effects in XP?

 

[rgarjr]

The games i will probably be running are Crysis, UT3, Quake 4, COD4, COD5, GTA4. These are quite modern games.

Sounds like you're really into War games bro.

 

[Zachh]

I have XP cds and I pre/ordered Windows7 so upgrading won't be a problem.

The thing is, I think my mac can take advantage of the directX10 in these games, and XP doesn't have DX10 support - How can I use the special effects in XP?

This is entirely you're decision but you will have to make some sacrifices either way.

Method of XP - You won't have special effects, BUT it will run smoothly without trouble.

Method of Windows 7 - It will lag, but you will have a special effects.

It's up to you, if you want a computer for general use, go for Windows 7, i've heard nothing but good from it. But it sounds like you just want it for gaming, so in my opinion go for XP.

 

[Rodus]

@Gameunreal, DX10 on XP

 

[Patrick J]

Thanks

I will probably try both ways, a week of each, cloning the hard drive each time, then restore the best performer. Cheers