Windows 7 or 8.1 best for Mac gaming?

Pinksteady · Dec 30, 2013

I'm thinking about installing Windows via BootCamp purely for experimenting with games on my new 15"rMBP (the model with the discrete graphics).

Which OS is best for this - Windows 7 or 8.1? I.e. in terms of driver compatibility, performance etc.

yjchua95 · Dec 30, 2013

Pinksteady said:
I'm thinking about installing Windows via BootCamp purely for experimenting with games on my new 15"rMBP (the model with the discrete graphics).

Which OS is best for this - Windows 7 or 8.1? I.e. in terms of driver compatibility, performance etc.

Windows 7 all the way. I installed that to play BF4 on my 27" iMac (4GB GTX780M) and my rMBP to play NFS MW (Criterion Games version, more like Burnout)

saturnotaku · Dec 30, 2013

I would suggest Windows 8.1 as it supports HiDPI for proper scaling with the Retina display. Windows 7 is OK on the rMBP as well, but you would need to run the system at its full 2880x1800 with the scaling set at 199% for optimum legibility.

Pinksteady · Dec 30, 2013

saturnotaku said:
I would suggest Windows 8.1 as it supports HiDPI for proper scaling with the Retina display. Windows 7 is OK on the rMBP as well, but you would need to run the system at its full 2880x1800 with the scaling set at 199% for optimum legibility.

Interesting, thanks for the info! I'll do some more reading on this subject.

roadbloc · Dec 30, 2013

Windows 8.1 has a newer version of DirectX and some great compatibility optimizations for older games. That is why it gets my choice.

Gav2k · Dec 30, 2013

8.1 shows a 5-10% speed increase across the latest titles

Pinksteady · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks all. I've gone with 8.1, working well so far, just need to pick some games to try now!

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Windows 7 or 8.1 best for Mac gaming?

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