New build on it's way...questions about OS?

[Lunercrab]

Ok i'm not sure where to post this...i'm in the process of building my first gaming computer...here are my components i'm installing....

Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L P35
Q6600
A-DATA 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
SAMSUNG Black 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - OEM
EVGA 512-P3-N802-A1 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express

(i hope these are good components that will all work together)

Anyway i forgot what OS i should get...i'm right now running xp on my old system and i like it...i'm a bit leary about upgrading to vista, cause i play alot of older computer games that i'm not sure are vista capatable...now i read somewhere that i need to get a 64 bit version of an OS in order to add more then 4 gigs of memory, is this true?..and does xp offer a 64 bit version? anyone here think vista is worth it? or should i just get an updated 64 bit version of xp?...thanks guys....

 

[dmroeder]

Either way, you will need a 64bit version (to support the amount of RAM that you will be installing). There is a 64bit XP pro available.

I am happy with 32bit Vista, but I cannot vouch for 64bit as I have not used it myself yet. Since you are using all new hardware for your build, I see no reason that you should have trouble.

 

[aevm]

It's a beautiful build. All compatible. With xp 32-bit you will only see 3.5 GB but you're guaranteed that all old apps will work. I'd upgrade to Vista Premium 64 bit later, after they release SP1, not right now.

Case? I'd recommend Antec 900 - great cooling, the 8800GT needs it.
PSU? PC P&C Silencer 610W or Corsair 620HX would be perfect IMO.

 

[nhobo]

Stick with XP, Vista's market penetration is somewhere around 2%, for good reasons.

 

[dwthor02]

i had an antec 900 but i didnt like the fact that there was less than half an inch between my video card and my hd's. so i purchased a cool master stacker and it does a much better job at keeping my hardware cooler than the 900.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119121
i would stay with xp as well sp1 is supposed to make vista even worse from what ive heard and read
http://megagames.com/news/html/software/xpsp3boostsperformancevistasp1doesnt.shtml