Working on my first build, not sure what OS to buy?

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JacksonAK92

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Feb 24, 2014
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Hey guys. I'm working on a new build and am unsure as to what OS I should be buying. My current PC runs on windows 7 and I have no experience with windows 8 but I assume its the better buy for a new system. I see that theres also windows 8.1 which appears to be a separate product all together? If I bought windows 8 would I not have access to 8.1 as a free update? I'm kind of confused by that.

Secondly, whats the pros and cons of buying OEM vs a standard copy of windows? I heard I lose out on customer support, but is there anything else thats different?
 
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mbarnes86

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Sep 16, 2010
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Hi

Win 8 or win 8.1 DVD ?
Win 8 is probably old stock
Upgrade to 8.1 is free

Win 8 is first version of windows when you can buy oem system builder version and install it on one PC then later on remove from first PC and put it on an other PC
But not if PC came with win 8 pre installed by the system builder
With oem version you have to choose 32 or 64 bit version to buy
Retail upgrade ( pro version anyway) has both dvd's in the box

Regards
Mike Barnes
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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I tried w8 and did not like the tile interface.
But, I think it is ok as a OS.
My understanding is that 8.1 is just an update which should be free.
I also understand that w8 gets rid of the oem vs retail issue which is a good thing.
With windows 7, oem is cheaper than retail, but retail can be freely transferred to a future new motherboard.
w7 update is also considered as retail and costs the same as oem.
 
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tylerdrumr

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Dec 3, 2012
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It is more than likely you are going to have trouble adjusting to the new interface. It seems everyone from grandma's to software engineerrs are having trouble adjusting. Also Windows 8.1 is really just an update (a very large one,) so it comes free with any copy of windows 8. If you buy 8.1 there will be far less to download and update once you get it up and running. Windows 7 is still a valid option, and will be around for quite some time (there are a lot of people migrating back to it.) However if you are a big gamer, you may want to consider toughing out 8. As DirectX 12 will only be available on Windows 8 and XboxOne.
 
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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If you're scrapping your old machine you could save money by buying the Upgrade version of Win 8 for around £70 and clean install it to your new build. Win 7 is fast becoming a nightmare to install with it's gigabytes of updates, you'll soon get used to W8, once you're on the desktop there's little difference, use your Windows key to access Start Screen and Windows key plus X for everything else...
 
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tylerdrumr

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Dec 3, 2012
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It's true, there are a lot of shortcuts that (after you learn some) potentially make it easier. I also just did a fresh install of Windows 7 on my wife's computer (onto a SSD,) and I had to run updated every night before I went to bed for like a week. I run Windows 8 on my dev laptop, but still have 7 on my gaming machine (which I will upgrade after I buy by next SSD.) Every time a new version of Windows comes out it seems like everyone hates it, and loves the previous version.
 
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VenkatOnline

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Apr 2, 2014
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Spent few hrs and unable to get clear what i need to get...

So basically Windows 8.1 OEM and Retail can be transferred to new PC(Motherboard) while using it on ONE PC at a time?

So is it that... all we miss is the Microsoft support (which i never used) in OEM version ???
 
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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Exactly that, guess M'soft value their Support quite highly!

 
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drax9

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Nov 5, 2007
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I think OEM is supposed to be installed on only one computer (motherboard) and that's it. Not to be installed on any other computer (motherboard) ever. Though, you can probably get away with it anyhow, not sure.

I had Win XP Pro 32-bit forever. When I built my latest computer I bought OEM Windows 7 Home 64-bit. Then I started taking some computer classes and got a Microsoft DreamSpark Premium account which gave me all retail versions of Windows for free. I put Win 7 Pro 64-bit on my latest computer, and I put Vista Enterprise on my old laptop but it was incredibly slow. Then I tried to put Win 8 on my old laptop but there was no video driver for it and the graphics were terrible, slow and low refresh rate with the WDDM gpu driver. I then put Win 7 Pro on the old laptop and it runs faster than it did on XP. I put Win 8.1 Pro on my latest computer and Win 8 Pro on my old computer, which I was allowed to update to 8.1 Pro for free. So i'm running Win 8.1 Pro on both of my desktops.

I have none of the problems with Windows 8.1 that others complain about. There is no "new/tile interface" to worry about because I have mine set up to open straight to a desktop just like any other Windows.

The only problem I have with Win 8.1 is that I can't play many of my old games, but I had the same problem with Win 7, and i'm not about to go back to XP. (Nor even bother with a dual boot)

It's hard to say which to get though, but I think people complain too much about Win 8. Mostly people complain because they don't like change. You'll have to move the mouse to the right corner to shut down, instead of the left. (Or just press the power button.) There is no list of programs on the left anymore but the old Start button takes you to the Metro screen the "new/tile interface" that everyone hates but you don't even have to use it. Once on the Metro screen, you just start typing (don't even need to be in a box to type). Type like 2 letters and it will automatically search for the program you are looking for. I turned off all of the UAC so that doesn't bother me anymore. With UAC off you can't use any of the Metro Apps either, but who needs them anyhow.

I would describe Windows 7 as a newer Windows XP. Win 8 is different in a lot of ways but not so different really.
 
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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You're quite wrong about OEM, you can install it on as many PCs as you wish, just as long as it's only on one at a time. When you move to another PC you will have to activate via telephone...

 
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