best version of windows for gaming?

[jinglejangle]

was wanting to start gaming and was just wondering what you guys would recommend. thanks.

 

[flopticalcube]

Windows 7 x64

 

[Muncher]

Windows 7 x64

I agree. Some people might tell you to get the "ultimate" version, for whatever reason. I think it's because the word is associated with higher quality. Really though, if you enjoy eye candy get the second step up (premium?) or otherwise just get the most basic version. It's all the same windows.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I agree. Some people might tell you to get the "ultimate" version, for whatever reason. I think it's because the word is associated with higher quality. Really though, if you enjoy eye candy get the second step up (premium?) or otherwise just get the most basic version. It's all the same windows.

Home Premium is the version that most people should use. Anything above and you're basically paying a lot more for few features.

 

[flopticalcube]

For gaming I can't see a reason to go beyond Home Premium.

 

[Freis968]

Why would you need more than "basic"?

 

[Beric]

I have Win7 Pro. Windows XP compatibility mode is nice for that occasional old classic.

 

[Quad5Ny]

I have Win7 Pro. Windows XP compatibility mode is nice for that occasional old classic.

I agree, besides if your a student you can get a copy for $30 USD.

http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx


Don't use the included link to download it(its a exe and is a pain in the arse). Instead pick up the ISO and burn it with the disk utility in OSX.

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/10/28/direct-download-ISO-dvd-for-windows-7-student-upgrade/


Its a upgrade version, but you can install it clean. Info on how to do that Here.

 

[jinglejangle]

sweet thanks guys...so will games actually perform better on windows 7? Because i have a doom 3 demo for mac that is a lil laggy

 

[ayeying]

sweet thanks guys...so will games actually perform better on windows 7? Because i have a doom 3 demo for mac that is a lil laggy

There's no magic OS that makes games perform randomly better. If your hardware is good, it shouldn't matter what OS.

I find XP, Vista SP2 (Must be SP2 at least) or 7 to have equal performance when it comes to games. But that's just me.

 

[BigJohno]

And you guys are running W7 on the latest version of bootcamp?

 

[trose]

There's no magic OS that makes games perform randomly better. If your hardware is good, it shouldn't matter what OS.

Somewhat true.

In practice though, you'll find most games tend to run better under Windows than OSX, even on the same hardware. If I recall correctly, Doom 3 benchmarks on BareFeats demonstrated this as well.