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General discussion

What are Optimum System Specs for Windows 7 ?

Nov 13, 2009 2:17PM PST

I will soon buy a New Desk Top system with Windows 7 installed. There are many makes and models to chose from, some with older motherboards, diferent CPU chip sets, video, sound, etc.. I would like to know the optium system specs Windows 7 was designed for, as versus the minimum hardware specs that will support Windows 7. Right now I suspect that there are truck loads of left over minimal speec/performance PC's being loaded with Windows 7 and marketed. bjbill1317@aol.com

Discussion is locked

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Here's one
Nov 13, 2009 9:23PM PST
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Anything that
Nov 13, 2009 10:56PM PST

Anything that runs the system to your satisfaction is an optimal setup.

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Anything that
Nov 15, 2009 5:04AM PST

Kinda stupid reply

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Well you know what they say
Nov 15, 2009 5:50AM PST

Well you know what they say... Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.

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hmm
Nov 17, 2009 5:32AM PST

Jimmy has a point. It doesn't make sense (IMHO) to buy an overspec'ed PC that does way more than you need.

Care to share what you need the computer for?

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Optimum Platform specs for Win 7
Nov 17, 2009 7:22AM PST

Yes, of course: My needs are much more than game playing and email. I do a lot of reearch on the Internet and writing. Right now I use MSFT Office 2002 with a OEM WIN XP PRO system. I also use some specialty DOS, Win 3.2, and Win 97 software that I use with XP-PRO running in compatibily mode. I don't want to upgrade this system to WIN 7, but keep it and network it with the new Win 7 system. Always before when I change op systems I've lost tons of valuasble data, as well as losing operating software due to inability to transfer software between systems because of EULA licene limitations. Other problems are Drivers for the newer system. Yes, one can buy a new PC, but is the CPU and motherbord minimal or optimal to WIN 7's needs? Been there and done that with "What you see is what you get", and looking for an intelligent plan for more efficiebt computing, starting with hardware. Notice I didn't say "Cheapest." Bill Jones

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more info
Nov 17, 2009 7:40AM PST

Two quick comments-

1. Game playing requires much higher specifications than internet research and writing do.
2. You only lose what you don't back up.

Since you are worried about compatibility, a version of Windows 7 with "XP Mode" would probably be a good place to start when it comes to Windows 7. However, XP mode does not guarantee that all older programs can run in it, so you will need to do some specific research into what programs you need to be able to run on the new machine.

Can you give us this info before we move on?

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More Info
Nov 17, 2009 9:11AM PST

Hey Jeff... I didn't say I don't play games. It is a great past time. Just not my purpose. I want max capability for my intended Win 7 system. Also no hassle with MSFT about anything to do with OEM or full privileges. I fully understand the limitations of XP Compat Mode, but wonder if WIN 7 has that capability. Also I wonder about such functions as JAVA, Display adaptors, sound, and their cross functionality between XP and 7; different quantity need for RAM, and hard disk capacity, etc.

I have converted ops systems from DOD-3 to 6, to 386, to Win 3 to Win 97, to 98, 98 to XP, and now going to Win 7. Each of these 6 ops sys conversions ran into problems with outdated CPU or Motherboards, inadequate memory or inadequte Hard disk memory, incompatable drivers or DLL's or combinations of all. I'm Just trying to anticipate whether the same will happen with Win 7 and to insure that the hardware fully supports WIN 7. To avoid such problems I had rather start with new optimum hardware with a registered Win 7 installation.

As to backup of valuable data, I backup mostly to removable USB drives to avoid loss when hard drive or motherboard falures occur. Bill Jones

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Optimum Platform specs for Win 7
Nov 24, 2009 3:49AM PST

RESULTS of Query:

1. Windows 7 comes in several versions and for several CPU versions as well. Each version has minimal basic hardware needs that differ between Desktop and Laptop systems.
2. The least expensive way to get Windows 7 is to download to an existing 32 or 64 bit operating system. This decision has limits as to the fractional capabilities of the total Windows 7 capabilities that the system it is downloaded to can accommodate. For example, most of Windows 7's advanced capabilities (Over Win Vista and Win XP) requires a 64 bit CPU system. Therefore, one should not expect to get full Win 7 capabilities with a download to a 32 bit operating system.
3. NEW Computer with Win 7 installed: Still, there are wide variations in matching CPU, Video card, Sound Card, and other hardware, with the buyer's needs-- Both with Desktop and Laptop systems. Perhaps the best approach is to list your needs by reading the vendors list of functions for their highest priced system, then cross off the function not needed and go to the next lowest lowest price system specs.
4. In this thread, Bob recommended a set of specs and a computer model, which fit all of my expressed needs. But, this was a HP Laptop, while I wanted a Desktop. Never the less, Bob's recomendations armed me with a list of Win 7 functions tha fit my needs. Next, I called Hewitt Packard and worked with a sales tech and we came up with the following order:

HP Model: Customized HP Pavilion Elite e9250t Desktop PC
Customised means loaded with Win 7 64 bit Professional Version, MSFT Office Software, max RAM, Fastest CPU, 500mgb dual save drive, integrated TV Tuner, Super Vidio and Sound, DVR/DVD burner, 18" Led Monitor, plus numerous minor additions, and factory tech home installation and setup to wireless network with my Windows XP system. Total price= $1867 inc shipping + tax. Delivery = 7 days.

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Let me share my nice entry point.
Nov 17, 2009 9:23AM PST

"For what I do" means I want a 2.0 or up GHz Core 2 duo with the usual 4GB DDR3 RAM (I'll pass up the DDR2 models) with 7 Pro 64 bit. I only need the Intel 4500MHD or better since this is "for what I do."

I ended up with a Hp dv6-1361sb from the office. A little overkill but does fine.
Bob

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Optimum Hardware to Support Win 7
Nov 17, 2009 2:34PM PST

Thanks Bob. This gets close to my original question. I hope you will broaden a bit by answering the following:

1. Are you saying that you recommend Win 7 PRO 64 bit with Intell 4500MHD or better? And what is better? (I don't mind overkill.)

2. In your last sentence, are you referring to a Hewitt Packard PC model HP DV 6 136/5B, or what?

3. What is DDR2 and DDR3?

Bill

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A little more.
Nov 17, 2009 10:07PM PST

1. Remember this was for what I do. I know to keep gamers on desktops because that's the cheap fast seats.
a. 7 Pro 64 Bit because we get XP Mode and office networking.
b. The 4500MHD or better is that I don't need gamer 3D solutions. The usual Intel 4500MHD is fine.

2. I wrote the dv6-1361sb. You can google that model. The office ordered it from newegg.com. Less than 1K.

3. It's the older or newer memory. The newer is faster so I pass up the old technology since it costs nothing.
Bob

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Optimum WIN 7 platform
Nov 18, 2009 2:29AM PST

Thanks a bunch Bob!

The HP DV6 with Intel 4500 MHD 64 bit, and loaded with WIN 7 PRO sounds like what I need. Will probably take a year of networking it with my XP PRO system to transfer Data and programs to the Win 7 machine. Always takes time and patience transferring data and programs to a new system, and you lose some too.

Appreciate your input. Bill

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Here's WHAT I LOST in the transfer.
Nov 18, 2009 2:41AM PST

Just one thing. It was annoying but I have other devices so it was not a disaster. Ready?

A Belkin F5U 109 USB to serial adapter.

As we all know there is a tax on 64 bit drivers so I may never get this to work on 7. But the other Prolific USB Serial adapters worked once I found the new driver. Microsoft offers a driver but it's non-functional as usual.
Bob

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Upgrade Losses
Nov 18, 2009 3:56AM PST

Ha! If that is all you lost it is amazing!

As a side issue, how are you doing with Win 7 hard drive fragmentation and Registry corruption? Any better than XP Pro? It took me 2 years with XP to find tools to clean and defrag the XP Registry that would get so cluttered that the system would grind to a halt. Got that solved just in time before going up to Win 7. But maybe I'm just slow to catch on.

I'm likely the only guy in the world that runs DOS and Win 97 programs on the XP and I doubt that Win 7 will handle them. But that wont be a big loss.

I do expect a raft of problems with 64 bit drivers that wont work with 32 bit programs and vice versa (Printers and scanners too), even with 7's compatibility mode. So, when I get the 7, I'll betwork it with XP until 7's bugs are worked out. Bill

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I don't have those issues.
Nov 18, 2009 4:25AM PST

Even on NT 3.5, NT 4.0, Windows 2000, XP, Vista and now 7.

Remember my machines lead boring uninteresting uses such as writing firmware, documents, applications and as source for help to problem machines. Back in the days of DOS and Windows 3.x to ME I tried those registry and drive cleaners in hopes of getting those versions to fly. But in the end I moved to NT based Windows when I needed to get work done.
Bob

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Disk and Reg cleaners
Nov 18, 2009 6:49AM PST

Dosen't sound boring to me. Fixing bugs with NT ain't dull. I left programming when 8 bit CPUs and assembling basic to Machine code died Got too complicated for a Dartmouth Basic programmer. (IF A>B THEN GOTO X)

I've tried most of the user applications of Reg Cleaners and never could discern any benefit. But Uniblue has two that works good on XP.
1. Registry Booster searches and repairs reg errors, then defrags the registry. My XP accumulates reg errors faster than Pinoccio's nose grows and about once a week Reg Booster keeps XP from dying from constipation.
2. Speed up PC: This searches the whole system and attached drives and finds junk files by the hundreds and ditches them to trash bin. Bill

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Here is what I lost---
Nov 24, 2009 4:17AM PST

Well- that's good with so much 16 and 32 Bit periphreals in use. (see my final results posted today.) The system I ordered has 6 usb ports and 2 ports for camera (flat) cards. I have one old 80 mgbt USB hard drive that I'll probably lose, but I can save all its ton of data by networking with my XP system. Now to enter the phase of continuing Win 7 updates while it settle down.
Thanks for your suggestions. Upgrading to Win 7 has lots of angles to it never before seen. Bill