Switch to Windows 7?

[markf]

The motherboard on my 2 year old Dell fried. I'm cannibalizing the parts and building a new machine.

 

Parts cannibalized from Dell -

 

Core 2 Quad 6600 2.4GHz, 1066FSB - re-use

 

4 - 2 GCorsair DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz - I added this a year ago and will re-use

 

nVidia GeForce 8800 GTX - re-use

 

160 G SATA HD - re-use original drive

 

160 G SATA HD - re-use. This drive I added and is the main drive I was using. Has XP 64 bit, all of my apps and etc.

 

DVD-CD R/RW - re-use

 

Parts I'm buying -

 

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119160

I believe I need a new case because the XPS case would need modifications to accept a new MB

 

ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131347

Lots of MB's out there. This one seems to fit the bill

 

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006

becasue the one in the Dell has a unique plug end that will only work with a Dell MB. (One of the many reasons I am unhappy with Dell)

 

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186134

I believe I need a new CPU cooler becasue the one in the Dell is a unique and will only work with a Dell MB.

 

I have Windows XP 64 bit. It worked fine. On this machine I only have Max Design 2010, Vray, Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2. All other stuff is on secondary computer.

 

My question is since I'm going through all of this would I be best to get upgraded to Windows 7? I've heard to always wait for the first service pack and other problems with early version of new OS. Any advice on this would be appreciated.

[kippu]

no problem on win 7 so far ... go for it

[Tommy L]

I agree with kippu, but Im only using it on my new machine, which is an i7 processor.

[markf]

Thanks for your replies. It looks like I could get the upgrade to Windows 7 Professional for $160. Should I get Professional vs, Home Premium or Ultimate?

 

Edit - I just noticed I could get the OEM upgrade TO 7 Pro for $140. Any reason not to go the OEM route vs Retail? Saves $20.

 

I'm a bit nervous about moving to 7 and don't really want to spend the $ on top of the rest of the unforeseen hardware expense. However, this would be a good time since I have to do a new install. I'll probably suck up the expense and risk going for it.

 

If anyone sees any of the componenets above, like RAM and CPU and MB that might have trouble with Windows 7 please advise.

Edited December 20, 2009 by markf

[Tommy L]

I have seen no performance advantages or disadvantages over xp64 pro (other than the gimmicks). I do like it though, but if you're unsure, why not stick with what you know works? I read about your Dell meltdown. Dont put yourself through un-necessary pain, but 7 doesnt feel like a 'Millenium Edition or a Vista'.

Maybe post some questions on a ore technical blog to find out about 7's performance on a Q6600.

I know that was no help.......but, Good luck!

[AJLynn]

Windows 7 is very nice, only complaint I have is the color profile unloading bug that I posted about in the Color Management board. It makes me run a profile reloading program a few times a day. (Ignore this if you don't use monitor calibration.)

[markf]

Thanks to you all for your replies. Tom your reply is helpful.

 

>>Dont put yourself through un-necessary pain

 

I've got a bit of history with doing just that so it helps to have it reinforced .

 

I'm a bit on the fence but after some further reflection I'm leaning towards sticking with the XP Pro 64 bit that I already have.

 

Thanks again!

[kippu]

i am with a q6600 and shifted to 7 from xp64 , although theres no perfomance benefit with regards to max with win 7 ., the other parts of os look good enough to jump into it

[Jeff Mottle]

I would get Ultimate. Although there may not be more, I found one app that ONLY works 100% on Ultimate. (Acronis True Image has a feature that I needed that only worked on Ultimate) There is no upgrade path from Professional to Ultimate.

[markf]

Thanks for your relies. I do use a monitor profile calibration system - MonacoOptix. That sounds like a hassle that AJ describes. I wonder if the same trouble exists with ultimate.

[mattclinch]

doesn't OEM Windows license forever lock itself to you motherboard or hard-drive or something? i've only heard bad things..

 

building my new system tonight and using windows 7 home premium.

Edited December 21, 2009 by mattclinch

[markf]

After searching around, I read elsewhere that OEM allows you to use on 1 computer only. If you switch your MB or CPU it is not supposed to be able to be used.

 

It sounds like this has not been enforced my microsoft. Lot's of folks have upgraded or swithed out MB and or CPU and then re-installed the OEM OS. They're able to get a new activation code when prompted. Whether or not that will continue, no one knows.

 

$20 difference in price, maybe worth just getting the retail version and not having to sweat it.

[ihabkal]

for only $20 get the retail version,

I have successfully called a microsoft operator and asked him to help me authorise an OEM XP on a new machine and he did help me but you never know when the person on the other line is going to be that helpful.

[markf]

I agree with spending the extra $20. I ended up staying with my existing copy of XP 64 bit. After all of the hardware trauma I didn't want to risk some software conflict with my existing stuff. I'll move to 7 on the next build or OS install.

 

Thanks !