Windows 7 or xp?

compaqlaptop1

I have been using windows xp for years but I have to do a reinstall in the next couple of days and I was wondering would I get better performance with windows 7? I have 4GB RAM, an AMD Phenom II 955 so I presume I can use windows 7 64 bit version...Im using xp 32 bit at the moment.

So should I switch to windows 7 and what performance improvements can I expect? Will games and apps run better?

James G

I strongly suggest moving to Win7 64bit.

Naikon

James G wrote: »

I strongly suggest moving to Win7 64bit.

Solid advice there. Basically, if you have a 64 bit processor(which most people do these days)you should be using 64 bit. The argument of software compatibility is not much of an issue, because 64 bit OS's can run 32 bit apps, provided the 32 bit enviroment libc + libraries are present.

Regards performance, you aren't going to see much of an improvement unless you are doing audio/video encoding or other cpu intensive tasks. Games may actually be slower in some instances, especially if the games are not written with 64 bit features in mind. Still, at least you won't have to worry about the `2038` problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2038_problem

Odaise Gaelach

Naikon wrote: »

Regards performance, you aren't going to see much of an improvement unless you are doing audio/video encoding or other cpu intensive tasks. Games may actually be slower in some instances, especially if the games are not written with 64 bit features in mind. Still, at least you won't have to worry about the `2038` problem. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2038_problem

That's true. If you're really that focused on performance then XP might be a better choice.

Buuuutttt... I'm still going to recommend Windows 7 64-bit. It's a fantastic OS, far better in my opinion than XP is. It looks and feels great, especially with all the Aero effects. It's very stable and some of the features in it (like jump lists and the redesigned taskbar) are really useful. I moved from XP to 7 during the public beta and didn't look back.

Also, if your graphics card can support it, you'll get DirectX 11.

stick-dan

Fantastic Hassle free transistion from xp to 7. Have used xp since its introduction, and paid no heed to a year of recommendations on windows 7, then started a new job where windows 7 was used and found it to be just as good as XP. only issue i find with the 64 bit version is the freezing glitch when you navigate near the start button sometimes, can be annoying.

amacachi

Was indifferent to XP, hated Vista and love 7, though my love of 7 over XP may be coloured by the experience of Vista in between and the relief when 7 worked. :pac:

AntiVirus

Windows 7 32 bit

Unless you have a reason to install the 64bit version install the 32bit. I use 64bit for development and 32bit for home. I had to many problems with existing software to stick with 64 bit on my home pc.

As you're coming from XP which is 32 bit thats another good reason to stick with the Windows 7 32 bit operating system. You don't have anything that requires 64 bit.