Windows Xp Pro or Vista rc1 for gaming?

[macman2790]

I will be using windows on my new macbook pro for games only. Which OS is better for gaming?

[yellow]

XP Pro, as Vista RC1 is a beta, and there are chances a game won't work with it, and it has a limited lifespan requiring a reinstall.

[vniow]

Uhh, you are aware that Vista has gone from RC1 to RC2 to RTM right?

[macman2790]

XP Pro, as Vista RC1 is a beta, and there are chances a game won't work with it, and it has a limited lifespan requiring a reinstall.

thanks for the quick reply man, windblows xp pro it is.:D

[macman2790]

Uhh, you are aware that Vista has gone from RC1 to RC2 to RTM right?

no i didn't know that, but thanks, ill probably try it out in parallels. Ill be running xp in bootcamp

[Wintrmte]

I installed Vista RTM on my Mac Pro (yes, legally). I did some benchmarking using World of Warcraft against XP, Vista RTM and OSX. Here are my results (YMMV):

I have the ATI X1900XT card for the Mac Pro, and 2gb of RAM (this is the 2.66mhz Mac Pro)

XP (Using latest Catalyst drivers): While sitting in Razor Hill, I got 64fps (there is a known bug in WoW on XP with Intel Dual Core chips locking at 64fps)

Vista RTM (Using Beta drivers): While sitting in Razor Hill, I got 54fps

OSX: While sitting in Razor Hill, I got 101fps.

So, the point here really is that with Vista, you will take an FPS hit (because of the bug with WoW and Intel Dual Core chips it's hard to say how much, but at least 10 fps).

I do think that gaming in Vista will get better once graphics card drivers improve, but it will be a bit yet.

[Mackilroy]

(this is the 2.66mhz Mac Pro)

Did they make your machine special? It's incredible you're getting those frame rates with that processor. ;)

[Wintrmte]

Did they make your machine special? It's incredible you're getting those frame rates with that processor. ;)

LOL! What a typo!

[jessica.]

Wait on vista there aren't any real good drivers for games yet.