Help with install on new comp

So i'm in a unique sort of situation. I have a very good new computer w/ ivy bridge i5, ddr3 ram, an ssd and pretty good video card. When it comes to getting an OS however, I can get a windows 7 UPGRADE for very cheap (around 20 dollars because i'm a college student). But because it's a new computer, i'd have to load XP first. Will loading XP on a empty SSD and then Windows 7 upgrade on top of that have a negative effect on a high performance build like mine? or can I do it and save potentially a lot of money?