Windows Vista? XP? XP Professional 64? Just looking to find out what you guys are using if you build a computer today.

Vista premium right now, but most drivers are beta and im having some issues including not being able to run the new CnC 3 demo because of Vista. So stick with Xp pro till at least summertime...

 
Get some form of XP, with the upgrade coupon for Vista. You've got until 3/15 to buy it from newegg. Wait a while to install Vista.....bugs, drivers, program compatibility,...all issues right now with Vista.

^^^ seconded. XP + free upgrade FTW!
 
IMO, the best gaming os right now is xp 32-bit. Sure it won't run DX10 games. How many DX10 games are out now?

I don't see any reason to buy vista right now or even in march.  There is only one reason any of us would get it and that is DX10.  And how many games are out there that run in DX10, none and we don't even know the release date of the most anticipated one, Crysis.  I guess you could get xp pro with the upgrade coupon and get vista before the experation and not install it until it's worth it (like after SP1 is released)

the reason to buy in march is because more diverse dx10 cards are coming out and dx10 games are getting closer... basically the whole dx10 thing is ramping up. and that is really the only reason i'd consider switching to vista. for dx10.

 
Ditto

But what is dx10 worth if there is no software that uses it?

XP Pro.  
 
Screw Vista, it's a hardware hog and bad excuse for a hardware upgrade.

 
i'm not saying that you NEED dx10 in march, i'm just saying that its starting to ramp up some more. i won't be buying into either vista or dx10 for a bit now, but thats simply because i don't have the money to do so. would i if i had the money at this moment? well, probably not. but the 8600 ultra looks damn good for someone whose using an ancient agp card right now.
 
but RJ basically said all thats needed; thats the best rout imo.

 
i'm not saying that you NEED dx10 in march, i'm just saying that its starting to ramp up some more. i won't be buying into either vista or dx10 for a bit now, but thats simply because i don't have the money to do so. would i if i had the money at this moment? well, probably not. [bold]but the 8600 ultra looks damn good for someone whose using an ancient agp card right now.
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but RJ basically said all thats needed; thats the best rout imo.anything from 7600/ x1650 and above looks damn sexy to me and my x800pro

 
your x800 pro looks damn sexy compared to my 9550 agp
 
       
 
omg the sad thing is that i can play 2142 on med/high o_0

ACk, that's what I play at with my x800 and it barely chugs along.  I can't imagine what your FPS are with a 9550 8O

The reason to get Vista in March is that it is a free upgrade. If you buy XP, get the Vista upgrade coupon. Jump through the hoops and you get a copy of Vista to install when ever you like, like next year?? You then will get Service packs free.

Had you not said 'gaming' system, I'd have said: Linux (and even then, depending on the games you want, Linux+Cedega may just do the trick).
 
If you want to get Vista later (the coupon is indeed an idea), save yourself the pain and ensure your upgrade coupon is for Home Basic: no 3D interface, thus lighter drag on the hardware. It does support DX10 though. It also costs a hundred bucks less than Home Premium.

 
your x800 pro looks damn sexy compared to my 9550 agp
 
       
 
 
  Meh...[Sorry Ninja   ]
 
How about a faulty Radeon 9550 and now, borrowed no-name FX5200 128MB and AMD Venice 3000+?

Wow.  These guys all give horrible advice.  I'm a bit surprised.  If you're building a good system...get Vista Premium.
 
You don't want to upgrade from XP, I heard there are issues with it.  You want a full version Vista Premium.  The "beta" drivers won't be beta long, and XP still runs you $80 or more.  OEM's are selling Vista loaded PC's.  Do yourself a favor and save yourself the $80.  I imagine that within a year more than half of us will be on Vista.  The rest of us can't afford it.

Of course you don't want to install Vista directly over XP, but it isn't exactly that hard to back up what you want to keep and do a clean install of Vista anyways. But your advice is horrible too; until there is an actual need for Vista, i.e. DX10, you don't want to slow yourself down with a bloated OS any more than you have to.

Crysis.  Coming soon.  Vista will play your DX9 games.  An 8800GTS card and a Core2Duo will run your games fluidly.  Who cares if it's "bloated?"
 
Upgrade CD = MUST HAVE XP installed.  Maybe you don't understand what "upgrade" means.

You said nothing of using an upgrade version; seems you're unable to read your own posts correctly.

 
Anyone and everyone should care that the software they use is bloated. Face it, if software developers would spend a bit more time to optimize their programs you wouldn't need to upgrade quite so often. Also, Crysis is delayed until the summer which is ~3 months away at the earliest, not exactly soon.