Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > To build or not to build? Vista is the question!
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docingram   01-23-2007 at 03:49:43 PM

After reading some of the notes in the Vista forumz, I'm a bit nervous about building with the new Vista OS coming out - hardware issues (will I be able to use what I buy), security, DRM, monitors. A bit of usage background - gamer, don't use the PC as a media center but I listen to tunes on it, sync to my MP3, and do streaming video from TV shows online with the kids. I don't want to build now only to find out that my monitor, graphics or other won't really work. I also don't like the fact that it sounds like Vista needs 2GB RAM to work well (I was going toget 2GB anyway) or that it's evidently slower than XP. So - build now with XP, build now with Vista, or not build and wait 4-6 months to let the Vista info/ bugs come out and get fixed? Just wanted to get a bit of feedback before I put out $2500 for a fill system.
Thanks!

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-silencer-   01-23-2007 at 04:21:50 PM
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Most new hardware you purchase now by quality manufacturers will be fully compatible with Vista (beta versions have been in testing for months) - if not immediately, then within a few weeks. Of course, you could play it safe and see how the Vista release goes for a few weeks, hopefully lower priced DX10 videocards will be out by then. If you don't NEED to upgrade now, the end of February or early March should be about as good a time for upgrading as any. There will always be newer technology coming out, but at least at that point there should be more competition for DX10 videocards, and driver updates for Vista. (not to mention massive amounts of online reviews/articles of compatibility/driver issues)

Reply to -silencer-
ZozZoz   01-23-2007 at 04:35:34 PM
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I found it to be faster than XP at certain tasks. Lotsa great new feats. too. No real incompatibility problems when it came to hardware. But with software - plenty. Some games wouldn't run, some goold old trusted applications wouldn't install etc.

Reply to ZozZoz
zenmaster   01-23-2007 at 04:38:24 PM
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Wait on Vista for 6-12 months unless you have a very specific need/reason to do so. Vista SP1 would be a good target date.
SP1 will give MS a good opportunity to make enough changes to the OS that are discovered to be needed which I think will be needed.

Reply to zenmaster
docingram   01-23-2007 at 05:02:37 PM
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Given the question, should I go ahead and build with XP, and upgrade in 6 months, or just wait. I'm in no big rush, just my computer is 4 yrs old and my wife hates having to wait while F.E.A.R. and other games unload after quitting before she can check her email. It would also be nice to see some of the new games (FEAR, CofHeros, etc.) in something other than the lowest settings...don't want to upgrade my 4 y/o computer just to do that.

Reply to docingram
zenmaster   01-23-2007 at 05:08:06 PM
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Well there is no reason to wait on the system upgrade.
I think all current hardware will be fine in the future.

In regars to Video cards, EVGA gives a free upgrae (you pay difference) for any card you buy for 90 days.

So, you could get an EVGA 7600GT card now for $100 and when the 8600GT Ships in 60days with DX10 support for the Price of $200 you pay them $100 and you get the new card and send the old one back.

This is what I am doing now.
You can always wait on hardware and you will never build.

March/April is another good build time if you do wait since Intel will have some price cuts coming along with the mid-range DX10 cards. However, I just pulled the trigger today because I could not wait forever.

Reply to zenmaster
docingram   01-23-2007 at 05:16:55 PM
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I'm planning on a evga 680i board and a 8800 GTS GPU, and I think all those should be ok. Any truth to the thread that you need a HDCP monitor to really get vista to work wll, or is that only is you want to do blu-ray and get the best picture quality (i'm not doing blu-ray)

Reply to docingram
yakyb   01-23-2007 at 05:33:14 PM
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personally im waiting until July. Im really excited by my upcoming build and would quite like to do it next month however with games Like Crysis Being Delayed until June im going to hold out for a few months esspecialy with die shrinks, r600 and the huge price of DX10 atm

i would normally say that new stuff is always on the horizon so anytime is good for a new build however i think we are at a point where it is indeed worth waiting for a few months to see how things play out with Vista Support, Gpu price drops and quad core price drops.

Reply to yakyb
Bozzvegas   01-23-2007 at 06:21:00 PM
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Vista won't be a viable option for about a year so build a budget PC now that has potential to be upgraded,then buy your directx10 card etc when the prices fall and the stability of the OS rises!

Reply to Bozzvegas
jaguarskx   01-23-2007 at 06:33:26 PM
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I would wait until at least Service Pack 1 becomes available to fix performance, security and stability issues. Windows XP Pro has served me very well so far.

Reply to jaguarskx
nhobo   01-23-2007 at 07:13:27 PM
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build away, but screw vista

I'll never run an OS that can remotely turn itself off after a hardware upgrade or refuse to run any application MicroShaft deems a "security threat"

Reply to nhobo
commanderspockep   01-23-2007 at 07:50:03 PM
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Quote :

Wait on Vista for 6-12 months unless you have a very specific need/reason to do so. Vista SP1 would be a good target date.
SP1 will give MS a good opportunity to make enough changes to the OS that are discovered to be needed which I think will be needed.



The only specific reason you would need to do so is if you were a developer or programmer. Other than that, yes I agree it is better to wait. Or even better never install it. Too many protective schemes and tons of unneeded junk built in.

Reply to commanderspockep
Dahak   01-23-2007 at 07:57:45 PM
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If you really want to build for Vista,I would wait till the latter half of the year when service pack 1 is due out for vista.If on the other hand you just want to build now,build an xp machine.Most people are staying with xp for the next year at least as it is a good os and is still supported for a few more years.I as a gamer,like xp pro,but I will upgrade to vista if there is any true benefit to be had(besides dx10).From what I've read and heard though Vista is not really up to gaming standards yet.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2-4400+@2.6 S-939
EVGA NF4 SLI MB
2X EVGA 7800GT IN SLI
2X1GIG DDR IN DC MODE
WD300GIG HD
EXTREME 19IN.MONITOR 1280X1024
THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
COOLERMASTER MINI R120

Reply to Dahak
GSTe   01-23-2007 at 08:40:58 PM
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Why is XP Pro better for gaming?

Reply to GSTe
GSTe   01-23-2007 at 08:45:08 PM
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Quote :


I'll never run an OS that can remotely turn itself off after a hardware upgrade or refuse to run any application MicroShaft deems a "security threat"



What is the logic behind this? How can they possibly justify stopping you using programs that may compromise your OWN hardware????? :evil:

Reply to GSTe
Dahak   01-23-2007 at 08:47:10 PM
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Because right now there is only one game out that supports dx10.And the industry has had lots of time to streamline their products to xp.I also understand that vista actually has issues with running games.XP has all its bugs worked out and the games out right now love it.As I've already said though,The games of today(and yesterday)were designed with xp in mind.I'm sure though that once vista is out for a year or so,it will become the os to have.I just find that xp does everything I want it to do.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2-4400+@2.6 S-939
EVGA NF4 SLI MB
2X EVGA 7800GT IN SLI
2X1GIG DDR IN DC MODE
WD300GIG HD
EXTREME 19IN.MONITOR 1280X1024
THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
COOLERMASTER MINI R120

Reply to Dahak
Dahak   01-23-2007 at 08:52:59 PM
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Because MICROSOFT thinks it is the best and therefore can do what it wants.Personally I do not like the fact that you can only upgrade your system a limited number of times before having to pay more money to microsoft.I also don't agree with not being able to run certian software because vista will think it's a security risk,even if it isn't.I wish the gowernment would step in again and stop them from doing this sort of thing.It just seems to me that microsoft is trying to monopolize the industry again.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2-4400+@2.6 S-939
EVGA NF4 SLI MB
2X EVGA 7800GT IN SLI
2X1GIG DDR IN DC MODE
WD300GIG HD
EXTREME 19IN.MONITOR 1280X1024
THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
COOLERMASTER MINI R120

Reply to Dahak
GSTe   01-23-2007 at 09:05:22 PM
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Quote :

Because right now there is only one game out that supports dx10.And the industry has had lots of time to streamline their products to xp.I also understand that vista actually has issues with running games.XP has all its bugs worked out and the games out right now love it.As I've already said though,The games of today(and yesterday)were designed with xp in mind.I'm sure though that once vista is out for a year or so,it will become the os to have.I just find that xp does everything I want it to do.Goodluck.




Ah, I misunderstood, I thought you were saying you preferred XP Pro to Home for gaming. My mistake.

Reply to GSTe
GSTe   01-23-2007 at 09:06:42 PM
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Quote :

Because MICROSOFT thinks it is the best and therefore can do what it wants.Personally I do not like the fact that you can only upgrade your system a limited number of times before having to pay more money to microsoft.I also don't agree with not being able to run certian software because vista will think it's a security risk,even if it isn't.I wish the gowernment would step in again and stop them from doing this sort of thing.It just seems to me that microsoft is trying to monopolize the industry again.Goodluck.



Where have you read about this limited upgrading? Wouldn't mind having a look.......

Reply to GSTe
zenmaster   01-23-2007 at 09:14:12 PM
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MS does seem to be getting a tad controlling in how Vista operates.

They are making it very very difficult for third party products, even hardware drivers, to efficiently interact with the OS.

At some point this bloat is going to kill them.

While I don't see Linux as a viable alternative today for the average home user, MS has better be careful because many of the Distros are getting very nice and if enough people start moving over they may not be able to stop the tide.

I use Linux for many work related tasks and in general the efficiency is just incredible for many things.

Reply to zenmaster
zenmaster   01-23-2007 at 09:19:09 PM
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I think MS retracted this after a firestorm of protests.
I could not find a link, but initially you got "1" upgrade.
This could be a hardware upgrade of an existing PC or to a new system.

So if your MB went, you replaced it, and then decided to build a new system. Sorry, fork over another $200-$300 to MS.

We may have the European Union to thank us for saving us from that since this flies in the face of their "Fair Use" laws governing software.

Reply to zenmaster
nhobo   01-23-2007 at 11:27:03 PM
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Quote :

Where have you read about this limited upgrading? Wouldn't mind having a look.......



Windows licensing disserves the user

Microsoft backtracks on Vista transfer limits

Vista EULA

Reply to nhobo
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