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Planning on building a new rig, OS questions
So I am going to build a new rig. I have had the same rig for over 6 years, basically upgrading bits and pieces on a XP Pro 32 bit machine. This is going to be a "low-cost" machine with good scalability through the next couple years.
I still have a retail copy of Win XP Pro that I could use for this build, however I am thinking I will jump up to Win7 64 bit this time. So the questions are:
- Should I go to Win7? Everything I have read from overclockers.net is that Win7 is actually an easy OS for builds and actually very nice for overclocking. Anyone have experience?
- Should I go with an OEM copy of Win7 Home Premium 64-bit or should I choose Pro / Ultimate?
- Is there a reason to use a retail copy vs OEM? OEMs are running around $104 while retails are running close to $190 and it would drop my costs down below $600.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
I got W7 PRO 64 bits. It is a lot neater than Vista and works very fine. I don't see any reason to pay extra for a retail copy. Many stores will sell custom computers that will sell the OS for a very low price, it usually save you money even compared to building it yourself unless you have a good source of really cheap hardware, here is a link to one of the many such pages (google the rest yourself): www.gamepc.com/shop/custom.asp
Dx 10 and the possibility to add more memory is in itself reasons to change out the old XP, I changed the week after W7 released and have been satisfied so far, a few things felt odd in the first days but I got used to it fast. Vista which I have on my laptop is another matter, it keep on messing things up.
Absolutely go with OEM. Retail just gives you fancy packaging. There is no difference in terms of the software or the functionality of the software. I know the Retail version comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, not sure about the OEM.
Otherwise, there might still be the Home Premium family packs going around, in which case you get 3 activations of Windows 7 Home Premium for around $150.00. That's $50.00 for one activation. Damn good deal. Also, if you're a college student or know someone who has a .edu email address, I think you can get Windows 7 for even cheaper. Just google: Windows 7 Student
I ended up buying two of the Family Packs and upgrading two of my computers and four of my family members' computers
Everyone is extremely happy with Windows 7
edit for consistency
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Pretty sure MS has ISO's available for all versions of Win7 to download so if you buy the Win7 Pro 64 bit you can always go back and download the 32bit copy too if it didn't come with one.
Also you can get Win7 upgrade Home or Pro for $68 if you have a .edu email (the $30 deal ended 3 days ago
Yeah i figured OEM would be the way to go. As far as I can tell, a full OEM Win7 Home Premium is running about $105 and the upgrade from win XP to win 7 only comes in a retail version for about $110. My math says forget upgrading when I can just install Win7 full OEM after I put the rig together.
Well I bought win7 Ultimate retail, why?
With the retail version I can install it as many times to as many different computers as I please (will only work on one at a time though).
With the retail version I can upgrade my computer as I please and the OS continues to operate as usual.
With the retail version I'm entitled to full tech support from MS.
With the OEM version I can only install it so many times (used to be 3) until it stops and I need to call MS and ask for a new key, which they are not obliged to give me.
With the OEM version it will allow minor upgrades but if you plan any large upgrades in the future then windows will lock up and you'll need to call MS for a key if your present one has run out and they are not obliged to give you a new one.
With the OEM I'm not entitled to any tech support from MS.
So if you don't plan to upgrade until you purchase the next OS and you're sure you won't need to call MS within that time frame for any support, fine. Myself I'm willing to pay the extra cash for the support and I know I'm going to be upgrading sometime (Hexacores!!!!!) this year as I'm always looking to improve my system with cheap deals. Also shit happens and parts fail and fresh installs are required. For home use the OEM version just isn't worth the small cash saving at the time over what the retail version offers.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
After those 3 activations you can activate oem using a phone, no new key is required and no limitations given how many times you can do it.
Actually, they changed it after complaints with XP and Vista. Now the key resets after a month of it being inactive.
OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:
- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system
Changing the CPU does not affect activation.
The reactivation threshold is about 3 I believe.
Replacing the hard disk does not affect Windows Activation.
If you change the motherboard, it invalidates the OEM License all together.
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
The license is tied to motherboard when its installed and activated.
MS is not obliged to activate your OEM copy of windows when you call in so don't forget that either, once you call in your OEM license has been made invalid.
Also the retail version comes with the 32bit and 64bit versions.
I'm just saying these are the differences and shit tends to happen if you know what I mean, so the extra $90 doesn't seem like a waste when you're calling MS to re activate and someone is dicking you about and maybe has had a row with his wife and tells you to get bent.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
I'm just trying to point out there are no limitations to activation, I've activated my oem vista like 5 times now, it did require a new activation even on hdd change.
OEM versions of Windows 7 are identical to Full License Retail versions except for the following:
- OEM versions do not offer any free Microsoft direct support from Microsoft support personnel
- OEM licenses are tied to the very first computer you install and activate it on
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
- OEM versions cannot be used to directly upgrade from an older Windows operating system
Changing the CPU does not affect activation.
The reactivation threshold is about 3 I believe.
Replacing the hard disk does not affect Windows Activation.
If you change the motherboard, it invalidates the OEM License all together.
- OEM versions allow all hardware upgrades except for an upgrade to a different model motherboard
The license is tied to motherboard when its installed and activated.
MS is not obliged to activate your OEM copy of windows when you call in so don't forget that either, once you call in your OEM license has been made invalid.
Also the retail version comes with the 32bit and 64bit versions.
I'm just saying these are the differences and shit tends to happen if you know what I mean, so the extra $90 doesn't seem like a waste when you're calling MS to re activate and someone is dicking you about and maybe has had a row with his wife and tells you to get bent.
It is nice of you to list the pro's, personally I could care less tho.
- I don't need MS support, so far I have been able to handle everything myself, and better.
- Sure they are "officialy" tied to the first computer you installed it on, and you have to install it on a computer you bought with less than 3 months difference to the OEM, but I really don't give a damn
- MS does not allow MOBO upgrade on OEM? Whatever, it still works.
- I never upgrade an OS, always clean install ( less potential problems and a faster fresh system ).
- Reactivation is indeed limited to 3, but after that if you don't touch it for 1 month, then you can reactivate again. And if you need to reinstall your OS more then once a month, then you can still call MS, and they will give you the key. And they ARE obligated to give you a key, it is automated btw, so you don't actually get someone on the phone. So unless you start reactivating 100 times per month, you are safe.
So for me personally, I choose OEM, MS takes too much money already.
If you are interested in subscription or PCU numbers for MMORPG's, check out my site :
http://mmodata.blogspot.be/
Favorite MMORPG's : DAoC pre ToA-NF, SWG Pre CU-NGE, EVE Online
As a serious gamer, there is no other choice but Windows 7 64bit imho.
- DirectX 10 and 11
- More then 4GB adressable space, so you don't have 2,75GB RAM left if you get a VGA card with 1GB VRAM, not even talking about Dual GPU solutions.
- The improved AREO / UI over Vista is great, it was nice in Vista, but now it is more usefull.
If you are interested in subscription or PCU numbers for MMORPG's, check out my site :
http://mmodata.blogspot.be/
Favorite MMORPG's : DAoC pre ToA-NF, SWG Pre CU-NGE, EVE Online
I say: Windows 7 64-bit all the way. Gaming's a charm on it.
You can install the upgrade version on a clean hd btw, then just not enter the key which will get you into trial/unactivated mode.. change a registry value so it thinks it had an old version of Windows on there, then enter your key to activate it. That saves you the step of preinstalling XP/Vista just to use the upgrade disk.
As for which version to choose here's something that lists all the differences click I went with win7 ultimate retail because I get both 32bit and 64bit editions and it was only £10 more expensive than the Professional version. I had beta tested Win 7 and wanted all the bells and whistles this time and I had the money so I bought it. I got the retail version because I like to upgrade and often will do clean installs and was tired of all the extra farting around with an OEM version.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience"
CS Lewis
Home premium version should be sufficient for every normal user.
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