Windows 7 V 8 - Gaming PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dragonistic
  • 24 comments
  • 3,113 views
Dragonistic

Dragonistic

Messages
5,677
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Messages
Dragonistic
Hi guys,

I'm about to begin finally looking into getting my rig set up (pre-built or home made I'm not sure, I know the pros and cons of both).

Question is do I go Windows 7 or 8, it feels like I may as well get 8 now as sooner or later I'll have to make the jump most likely. Is there any particularly good reason not too at this stage? Things like compatibility issues and so on with most major games.

All thoughts would be appreciated.
 
I use both but the have only got as far as trying a few steam games on 8 which worked well. I remember having issues running a Korean game on 8, it does have a lot of compatibility modes but it still refused to start. I think for ease 7 would be better.
 
I would go with 8 based on personal preference, there are no compatibility issues so far and the performance can be slightly better on games. You'll get used to the GUI quick and it is faster to navigate when used properly.
 
According to benchmarks I've found, there's virtually no difference in terms of performance between Windows 7 and Windows 8, at least as far as games are concerned. Windows 7 was maybe .3 FPS ahead, if that.

So, if we're talking games, there seems to be little reason to not go with 8 if you've got the choice. Wouldn't see a reason to pay a premium to get 8 over 7, though. Nor a reason to upgrade from 7. At least not just yet.
 
Thanks guys, I'll probably get 8 as price is similar so it seems logical to upgrade. I've costed up the full spec ready to order on Friday and hopefully by the week after I'll be up and running.
 
Dragonistic
Thanks guys, I'll probably get 8 as price is similar so it seems logical to upgrade. I've costed up the full spec ready to order on Friday and hopefully by the week after I'll be up and running.
Click to expand...

What are you going for?
 
Grayfox
I would go with windows 7 for better compatibility.
Click to expand...

Compatibility my ass. It's nearly the same framework. The things that AREN'T supported are weird(read:specialty) things to begin with. If you've got issues with compatibility issues with something your best bet is to use a VM of some sort anyways. When I used the beta environment the only thing I couldn't find was a working version of Java, and I'm pretty sure that glaring oversight has been fixed by now.
 
I am pleased to report I have now ordered the PC and my new desk arrived which I'll need to play it on.

Specs:
Case: NZXT Phantom Enthusiast Full Tower - Black (+extra 140mm front fan)
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula Z AMD 990FX
CPU: AMD FX8350 8 core @ 4.4Ghz
GPU: MSI HD7970 GHz Lightning Boosted Edition
RAM: Patriot Viper 3 "Venom Red" 16GB (2x8GB)
PSU: Corsair TX V2 850W Modular PSU
Hard Drive 1: Samsung 840 120GB SSD
Hard Drive 2: Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD
OS: Windows 8 Pro 64bit
 
Last edited:
I did, to be precise: Prolimatech Megahalem. Pretty much the Ultima Scarab complete system wrapped up on the NZXT case and with some other changes (only one worthy of note is the graphics card and a wireless PCI-E card instead of a USB one).

I've already got everything else I need, I'm going to use my 40inch for a monitor, Logitech G110 keyboard arrived today and my G700 mouse is in the mail. For audio I have stereo speakers (Philips SPA5300) for when a guest is round and Tritton 720+ surround sound for my gaming.

Can't wait to get up and running, unfortunately I'll have to a week or so.
 
Mikeybc
Pong on an emulator :).

I Didn't see a monitor mentioned, it deserves to have a nice IPS display.
Click to expand...

That's correct, you didn't.

I'll be using it, at least for now, through my 40 inch Samsung. Can't remember off the top of my head if it's a 6 or 7 series but it's fairly old but in it's defense well ahead of others of it's time. I'll consider an upgrade later in the year to a proper monitor (or 2).

Pong will look great nonetheless.

In all seriousness though, I'll just try anything and everything. Crysis 3 comes with the thing so that will probably be where I start and I get a direct comparison from PC to PS3 from it too. I think I'll end up playing more shooters then anything else, will try to get co-op games to play with my usual gaming buddy who's been waiting for an age for someone to get a PC.
 
Should be night and day between PC and PS3, my lowly XPS15 laptop blows it out if completely the water as far as detail goes at 1080 on modern warfare 3 with graphics options maxed out. Sure the newer games will be even better, especially on a PC like yours.

I totally agree about the Samsung, I also have a 7 series LCD from 2008 or 2009 and its as good or better than many (but not all) of the LED's today.
 
Yeah I have alot of confidence in this screen that it will still look outstanding on PC. Crysis to me looks great on PS3 in the campaign with some beautiful scenes, on the new rig I will probably have my mind blown. I'm hoping I can near max (sacrifice on AA particularly to gain some frames) at 1080p.

Later in the year I may also get another wheel (previously owned G25) as there's much more choice of quality sims out there on PC seemingly. I feel like a kid waiting to go to Disneyland, can't wait.
 
Crysis should be awesome on your rig. 👍 Don't forget BF3 either. :) And yeah, there are plenty of sims on PC, and several on the way this year (AC, pCARS), so perfect time to get a gaming PC.
 
I have BF3 in mind, but I've played so much of that game on console and I'm so far behind the PC crowd now I'm not sure whether I'll be able to enjoy myself or I may just constantly die with no time to enjoy myself though on the flipside I'd know the maps and how the game works so it might be the perfect training ground. Planetside 2 is also well on my radar as a game which has no real console alternative so a new experience to be had and of course I can try it for free.

My friend is pushing me to get Borderlands 2 so we can both get more comfortable on the mouse and keyboard, so I'll probably pick that up as well. Any suggestions for good co-op games outside of the obvious (L4D)?
 
These are some I've enjoyed over the years:

  • Portal 2
  • Killing Floor
  • Monday Night Combat
  • Rainbow Six Vegas 1/2
  • Splinter Cell: Conviction
  • Payday
  • Castle Crashers
  • Dungeon Defenders
 
Serious Sam Complete Pack is only £13.99 in Steam. Brutal co-op FPS action with quite nice graphics on the later releases.

EDIT: I noticed that the discounts fade away quickly.
 
Last edited:
Dragonistic
My friend is pushing me to get Borderlands 2 so we can both get more comfortable on the mouse and keyboard, so I'll probably pick that up as well. Any suggestions for good co-op games outside of the obvious (L4D)?
Click to expand...

Far cry 3 is supposed to be pretty fun on co-op
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, though I know many of them I sometimes struggle to remember any good co-op games :lol:. 1 week to go!
 
So I got my PC with Windows 8 and immediately ran in to a problem. The text smoothing is awful compared to Win 7 and it shows on a large screen like mine, anyone have any suggestions? ClearType does very little to help.

On the positive, everything else is fantastic and when I use Steam or play a game the text smoothing is done by those applications which makes it look fine (I've only played Arma 3 Alpha on Ultra and it was super smooth, the thing didn't break a sweat).
 

Latest Posts

Back