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New Machine Specs & Windows XP Pro vs Windows 7 Pro

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - New Machine Specs & Windows XP Pro vs Windows 7 Pro

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Lexie   10-15-2009 at 02:45:18 AM

Hi all. I'm currently about to purchase 2 new pc's for business. Most likely Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400, 4GB DDR2 800MHz, 500GB SATA2 HDD 7200rpm. They will mainly be running AutoCAD, CS4 Suite & MYOB.

Firstly, does this machine sound suitable for the intended use?

Secondly, Windows XP Pro vs Windows 7 Pro. Which is better? Has anyone used Windows 7 yet? I really didn't like Vista.

THANKS

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Silver Home Brew badge hunter315   10-15-2009 at 02:54:36 AM

I am currently running windows 7 pro 64 bit on this machine, i have access to the MSDN so its the full RTM version. It is very nice and hasnt given me any trouble yet. For those applications i would go for windows 7, the 64 bit version would help out especially if you get 64 bit CS4 which has some added functionality and would allow it to use more resources when it needs to.

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Bronze Home Brew badge tecmo34   10-15-2009 at 02:55:17 AM

For you work... I would recommend a Core i7 920 build with 6GB of RAM. the 920 is a beast with those programs.

I would recommend Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit. I haven't used it but I haven't heard an issue with it either... better feedback than with Vista.

Edit: Hunter315 beat me to the Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit... :D


Message edited by tecmo34 on 10-15-2009 at 02:59:29 AM
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Lexie   10-15-2009 at 04:57:42 AM

Thanks. Does anyone know anything about the compatibility of Windows 7 with AutoCAD 2006? Apparently Windows 7 offers a compatibility pack.

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Silver Home Brew badge hunter315   10-15-2009 at 05:19:39 AM

if it runs on XP it will run in XP mode perfectly, if it ran on vista it will run on windows 7 perfectly. With the pro key you get access to the windows XP mode which literally runs a separate copy of windows XP within windows 7 providing full compatibility with any program that worked on XP SP3. Most programs that worked with XP SP3 will work with 7 natively though but if it wont you always have XP mode to fall back on.

 

whoops, just checked, and virtualization is not supported on the Q9400, you need a Q9450 for it.


Message edited by hunter315 on 10-15-2009 at 05:21:39 AM
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Lexie   10-15-2009 at 05:44:52 AM

Thanks Hunter. That's really handy to know. Is that Q9450 as a minimum requirement?

Tecmo, is there much price difference in getting the Core i7 920 over the Q9400/Q9450?

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Silver Home Brew badge hunter315   10-15-2009 at 05:55:06 AM

The Q9450 is the closest one to the 9400 that has intel-v enabled, all modern AMD processor support it but intel differentiated their line by disabling virtualization on some, you need hardware level virtualization enabled on the processor to run XP mode.

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JessicaD   10-15-2009 at 06:40:03 PM

Lexie,

To get your questions answered on the most common challenges around application compatibility when coming from a legacy operating system, why changes were made along the way, compatibility technologies inside the OS and methods for getting incompatible applications to run on Windows 7, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/yfa2yyz

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team

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Bronze Home Brew badge tecmo34   10-15-2009 at 10:30:56 PM

hunter315 wrote :

The Q9450 is the closest one to the 9400 that has intel-v enabled, all modern AMD processor support it but intel differentiated their line by disabling virtualization on some, you need hardware level virtualization enabled on the processor to run XP mode.


Q9450 really isn't carrried anymore and if is, it is over $300. I would go with the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550.

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