Windows 8.1 vs Windows 7 for gaming (compatibility and performance)

MrCanEHdian · Jul 13, 2014

So, I've ordered my PC and the parts are coming, but I haven't gotten an OS yet. I can get Win8.1 almost anywhere, but have to travel far for Win7.

I was hoping to get Windows 7 because I hear there are compatibility issues with Win8.1 in some games like Civilization 5. I intend to play oldish games like Civ 5 and other RTS/TBS games from the last 5-6 years and modern games too.

Do a lot of games have compatibility issues with Windows 8.1? And, are there performance improvements with Windows 8.1 over Windows 7?

Finally, is there any other reason to choose Windows 7 or Windows 8.1?

Thank you for your time?

Martell1977 · Jul 13, 2014

For gaming performance, there is no difference between the 2 OS's. Windows 8 boots the PC up a little faster, but no real performance boost. It really comes down to which interface you prefer. As for compatibility, I haven't seen much about Windows 8 being a particular issue.

Gman450 · Jul 14, 2014

Like said, no real difference in performance when it comes to gaming.
However I do remember seeing that Battlefield 4 had a little more FPS in Win 8.1 than in Win7, though the margin is slight.
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2013/11/24/battlefield_4_windows_7_vs_81_performance_review/2#.U8NcNfmSz6A

MrCanEHdian · Jul 14, 2014

Martell1977 :

That's good, I was worried only about compatibility. Thank you.

MrCanEHdian · Jul 14, 2014

Gman450 :

Minor performance differences are no biggie for me, but compatibility issues with older games is a bigger deal for me. I saw websites discussing issues with Win8 and Civ 5 (which I'll be playing a lot of ) in the past, but I imagine they're all fixed now... I hope.

Gman450 · Jul 14, 2014

No I don't think compatibility is an issue here with 8.1 for older games.

MrCanEHdian · Jul 15, 2014

Gman450 :

Great, no point for me to go with Windows 7 then. Thank you so much!

Cinerir · Jul 17, 2014

Also it could be that Microsoft will bind Dx12 to W8 and higher....it could be that they will be using that as an argument to kill W7 faster.

MrCanEHdian · Jul 17, 2014

Cinerir :

That sucks, I wonder why they want people to adopt W8.1 so badly.. More money? Or something else? Anyway, I can't find copies of W7 anywhere so I ended up buying W7. Just gotta get over my fear of building and screwing up lmao.

jigafree71 · Sep 6, 2014

So far the only game that will not work on windows 8/8.1 is Crysis 1. Otherwise they are the same. I have played over 100 different games on both OS.

freakthekid · Sep 12, 2014

As far as my last experience, games based on HL2 enginge run a lot worse, I got about a performance decrease of 80%. That's something I've found outrageous, and looked after it. There are some fixes for it, but.
And about windows 8 booting faster: my experience was quite the opposite. A bit strange though with 8 cores, ssd and more than enough ram.

The Kasafist · Sep 12, 2014

Depends on the hardware it's been proven Win7 is not as optimized for AMD CPUs as Win8 and there is a small performance improvement there. Mostly due to the OS (better coding) being cleaner and running smoother. Although video editing Win7 seems to be preferred for compatibility there. On another note if you have an Intel CPU and you just happen to be gaming not caring about video editing and all that jazz then you will see no difference at all really, less than 1% I say pick the interface you're most comfortable with!
:bounce:

Daz Bennison · Sep 15, 2014

Im using 8.1 for gaming, it is that little bit faster, i had compatibility issues with some games but what do you think compatibility mode is for in properties, just set it too windows 7/Vista/XP and they all work great

FinalDrive · Sep 16, 2014

I have not noticed any issues with 8.1 in most of the games I play. I have played a ton of Civ 5 in both 7 and 8.1 and all is well, if you don't have a touchscreen don't use the third option in the launcher though, just use the dx10/11 option.

I do have some issues with a heavily modded KotOR2 though, but not sure if thats a windows issue or the mods.

MrCanEHdian · Sep 18, 2014

jigafree71 :

Perfect! So far it's working beautifully. Thanks!

MrCanEHdian · Sep 18, 2014

freakthekid :

Well, that is absurd for those older games, especially since they're so legendary in the world of gaming.

Maybe it's booting up so quickly in my view because my laptop takes so long, but it boots up in about 5 seconds.

MrCanEHdian · Sep 18, 2014

The Kasafist :

Since I only game, it likely won't matter as you say. I went with Win8.1 because Win7 is tough to come by in a store. It's nice, I like it, but it can be a pain to navigate. It took me forever to find Minecraft or even "My Computer".

MrCanEHdian · Sep 18, 2014

Daz Bennison :

I've never used compatibility mode before, but if I find I'm having issues, I will definitely try it out. Thanks!

MrCanEHdian · Sep 18, 2014

FinalDrive :

Civ 5 has been working like a dream, the whole OS has been perfect for me so far. I've only downloaded one mod for Civ, tried it once, and then never used it again. The warning on Steam that mods are not regulated kinda sketched me out. I doubt even .01% of them have any malicious content, but so much time went into this PC, I don't want to risk anything.

FinalDrive · Sep 18, 2014

I highly recommend the RED modkit for Civ5, can be found in the workshop, it resizes the models to make a bunch of smaller units instead of a few big ones. The resized earth maps are pretty cool, if you like gigantic maps (can get a bit laggy in the very late game if you have a bunch of cities, but it does that on normal maps too). If you want to absolutely destroy the AI the Ingame Editor is awesome.

CheezeIsGouda · Nov 17, 2014

Martell1977 :

There are a few, uncommon compatibility issues of Windows 8. Most of them are fixed, and you only really see them on programs made specifically for an older OS, or on programs badly coded and such.

TheFoxPlayer · Mar 6, 2015

Martell1977 :

Windows 7 is little better for games because some games dont work on Windows 8!

AgentWafflez · Mar 19, 2015

jigafree71 :

Run it in compatibility mode for vista sp1 and it'll work.

agawtrip · Jun 8, 2015

Windows 7 vs Windows 8

NBA 2k15 - http://www.gamingpcbuilder.com/nba-2k15-hardware-performance-tested/3/
DOTA 2 - http://www.gamingpcbuilder.com/dota-2-hardware-performance-tested/3/

Splinter cell Blacklist - http://www.gamingpcbuilder.com/splinter-cell-blacklist-performace-guide/3/

Metro Last Light - http://www.gamingpcbuilder.com/metro-light-performance-tweak-guide/3/

Tomb Raider - http://www.gamingpcbuilder.com/pc-performance-guide-tomb-raider/3/

Windows 8.1 vs Windows 7 for gaming (compatibility and performance)

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