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IRL (In Real Life) => Tech Talk => Topic started by: MetalDog on March 13, 2014, 07:09:59 PM

Title: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 13, 2014, 07:09:59 PM
I am getting a new computer.  I would like to solicit the opinions of you knowledgeable fellas about which version of Windows is better at this moment, 7 or 8?
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: undercovergeek on March 13, 2014, 07:16:00 PM
I'm happy with 7 - it's the last of it's type before it went along weird with 8 - I can't fathom 8 at all where as for me 7 is xp triple refined
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 13, 2014, 07:21:53 PM
Awesome, geek!  I dig XP, too.  Which is why the new computer.  I am running XP and they are going to quit supporting it, so, I need a new OS and thought I would just go the whole way and get a new computer.  :)
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on March 13, 2014, 07:34:19 PM
I had XP on the recently dead pc and my experiences with 8 have sucked.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: steve58 on March 13, 2014, 07:40:31 PM
I also vote for Windows 7. I've had windows 7 Pro (comes with XP Mode) for 2-3 years now and love it. Biggest problem I had was I had to buy a USB cable for my old printer. Is this a custom-built rig? Didn't think you could still get Windows 7 on new pre-built PCs.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 13, 2014, 07:46:30 PM
Quote from: steve58 on March 13, 2014, 07:40:31 PM
I also vote for Windows 7. I've had windows 7 Pro (comes with XP Mode) for 2-3 years now and love it. Biggest problem I had was I had to buy a USB cable for my old printer. Is this a custom-built rig? Didn't think you could still get Windows 7 on new pre-built PCs.

Just goes to show, I had no idea this was an issue.  Was going to go to Office Depot and look them over.  Didn't even occur to me that I would be stuck with 8 :(
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Greybriar on March 13, 2014, 10:47:43 PM
If I were to buy a new PC, it would have Windows 7 as its OS. I could be wrong and Windows 8 might be the way to go, but I don't have a touchscreen monitor and I don't intend to get one.

I've had good luck with Windows 7 Home Edition and you can still buy the OEM (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=Windows+7&N=-1&isNodeId=1) for it (I almost bought one a couple of weeks back for my next PC when it was 20% off, but now it's back up to $100).

There are still Windows 7 PCs for sale so don't give up if you don't find one that you like right away.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on March 13, 2014, 10:49:07 PM
get whatever current OS its easiest to delete you browser history.  ;)
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Bison on March 14, 2014, 12:05:47 AM
What's the price range Metal?  Lot's of great deals out there on a rig that might have better components and cheaper than a Office Depot kit.

I have Windows 7, but know plenty of folks running 8 with no issues.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: TheCommandTent on March 14, 2014, 05:42:36 AM
I have Windows 7 on my desktop and Windows 8 on my laptop.  I've never had an issue with either of them but I prefer 7 over 8.  Windows 8 would make more sense to me if I actually had a touch screen laptop as its interface just takes some getting use to compared to 7.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on March 15, 2014, 01:49:42 PM
7 64 bit is better by far.

The only thing 8 has going for it is more options in windows firewall. Whichever way you go, make sure in advanced firewall that all incoming connections are blocked. This should be blank, there is no reason for anything to have default access to enter your PC. The default has many programs having access to the system. You also want to kill most outgoing connections leaving only the stuff you use plus what windows needs to get on the internet.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 15, 2014, 02:34:27 PM
If I go 8 I'll be sure to pick your brain, Biggs.  I am a noob at all that stuff considering I've been on a computer almost every day for the last twelve or fourteen years. 
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MIGMaster on March 15, 2014, 07:27:06 PM
I'm using 8 and like it just as well as XP - once you get used to the interface it's a great OS. I find Vista and 7 ok, but I couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger.
Title: .
Post by: eyebiter on March 15, 2014, 08:05:25 PM
.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Kushan on March 18, 2014, 08:43:46 AM
I like windows 8. I've noticed a small but noticeable performance difference between it and windows 7. It's not hard to set it to boot right to desktop and never use the metro UI.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on March 18, 2014, 04:01:48 PM
You may notice on win 8 that when you close an app it keeps running in task manager. There is all kinds of shit eating cpu cycles.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: W8taminute on March 18, 2014, 06:38:24 PM
We had Win7 on my work computers and I loved it.  Win7 is a huge improvement over Vista and XP IMHO.  I don't have any experience with Win8 so I'll just offer my emotional opinion of it based on stuff I've read online.  Win8 is a piece of spyware you don't want in your house unless you're comfortable with microsoft selling all your personal info to the highest bidder.

Those more in the know correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 18, 2014, 08:57:36 PM
I was pretty sure that 7 was the preferred OS on these boards.  It's why I asked.  While I have all your attention, what are some acceptable specs for a new computer?  RAM?  HD?  Video card?  What else?
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Mr. Bigglesworth on March 18, 2014, 09:16:00 PM
I activated Win 8 on my regular PC today after technical issues on the upgrade. My network card was not recognized, the drivers with windows went to BSOD. So I got the win 7 64x drivers off the manufacturer's website today. Ok, network card works.

Win 8 had 92 updates which it is still installing.

That is before I get to the win 8.1 upgrade which has not even shown up yet.

92!

>:(
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 18, 2014, 10:51:49 PM
I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground when it comes to computers.  So, anything that is that fidgety needs to go.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MIGMaster on March 19, 2014, 07:16:56 AM
Operating systems are like girlfriends - you need to know what you prefer. I use Win 8 at home and it has been stable as a rock for gaming. I use Win 7 at work - which tome is what a fixed version of Vista should look like. All of my hardware is recent and drivers have not been an issue. If you are using an older pc than I'd go with Win 7. Best thing to do is head to a big box store (if you have one near) and get on a PC with Win 8 or Win 7 and try them both out - you can use this strategy with women, but I take no responsibility for any harm that may come to you  ;)
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: undercovergeek on March 19, 2014, 11:20:13 AM
Quote from: MetalDog on March 18, 2014, 08:57:36 PM
I was pretty sure that 7 was the preferred OS on these boards.  It's why I asked.  While I have all your attention, what are some acceptable specs for a new computer?  RAM?  HD?  Video card?  What else?

2gb graphics card

16gb memory

should be juicy enough
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on March 19, 2014, 11:27:31 AM
2 gig ddr5 video card
32 gigs of low latency ram 4 x 8 gig modules
a super solid 4 core cpu with heatsink
a solid state hard drive
750 watt psu
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: undercovergeek on March 19, 2014, 11:29:56 AM
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on March 19, 2014, 11:27:31 AM
2 gig ddr5 video card
32 gigs of low latency ram 4 x 8 gig modules
a super solid 4 core cpu with heatsink
a solid state hard drive
750 watt psu

or this, i havent seen much use for 32gb of ram though
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: steve58 on March 19, 2014, 12:55:05 PM
If you're looking to cut some $$s, you can pick up a low power 2GB video card that will run off smaller power supplies.

I just ordered a nVidia GTX 750 Ti (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclock-Dual-Link-Graphics-02G-P4-3753-KR/dp/B00IDG3IDO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395251377&sr=8-2&keywords=gtx+750+ti) from Amazon.  I'm hoping it will help extend the life of my old PC.  It'll be replacing a 1GB GTS450 and will run off my 460W power supply.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on March 19, 2014, 05:51:53 PM
Thank you gentlemen for your info so far.  I guess I should have probably mentioned, I gotta try to fit all this new stuff in for around $650 US American Dollars.

@MIGMaster:  That's some laugh out loud sh*t!  I got away with that in my younger days, and could get away with it now with the current gf, but, I am not pretty enough to just grab some chick off the street nowadays.  At least, not fast enough to run away if she starts chasing me down ;)
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: Bison on March 20, 2014, 11:50:59 PM
Quote from: MetalDog on March 19, 2014, 05:51:53 PM
Thank you gentlemen for your info so far.  I guess I should have probably mentioned, I gotta try to fit all this new stuff in for around $650 US American Dollars.

You've got some options at that price range.  I'd consider one of these:

http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/AMD-FX-4-Core-Configurator
http://www.ibuypower.com/Store/Intel-B85-Core-i5-Configurator

There are a couple of small upgrades to consider namely the graphics card, but they are in your price range and are not bad lower cost gaming rigs.  You should also be able to find similar computers at newegg.com where you might also be able to swing some free shipping.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: GDS_Starfury on March 21, 2014, 05:19:38 AM
there are also ways to cut costs while getting more for you money.
reuse the case, psu, dvd drives and whatnot from the old pc and just spend the money on the core guts.
I know that on the next build doing this will save at least $300 for me.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on April 10, 2014, 07:15:36 PM
Ok.  So I went to Staples last night and picked up a Dell i3 with 8 gigs of RAM a Terabyte of space and Windows 7 for $450.  I paid $140 for MS Office Home & Student Edition.  Installs on only one PC, but, I don't have to pay for it year after year.  So, how did I do?
Title: .
Post by: eyebiter on April 10, 2014, 10:03:51 PM
.
Title: Re: New rig. Windows 7 or 8?
Post by: MetalDog on April 10, 2014, 10:11:09 PM
Thanks, eyebiter.  I don't run graphics intensive games.  I was actually sitting here trying to think of the biggest graphics hog I have so I can see how it runs.  Something RTS should do the trick.