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General discussion

Windows Vista & The Gaming World

Nov 2, 2006 11:15AM PST

Alright, so here's the deal - I'm planning on getting a new computer, but am unsure whether to wait until Windows Vista comes out to buy my new computer... this is for a few reasons:

1.) Windows Vista will probably shift the entire spectrum of "good computer/bad computer" up when it comes out. That means that the worst computer you'll be able to buy will have something like 1GB of RAM to run Vista on it's maximum settings.

2.) Vista will also set new standards for video cards, I hear. I read somewhere (I'm pretty sure it was here) that nVidia and ATI were developing higher quality, newer video cards that will run well with DirectX 10.

3.) Lastly (the common sense perspective), if I do get a computer (and when I do I plan to get a very good one), I'm afraid that as soon as Vista hits the shelves it'll go from high quality computer to average computer. That is, if Vista does raise the bar for new computers - that would mean Dell, Gateway, etc., would all introduce newer computer models, leaving the ones that were considered the best before Vista hits shelves in the dust.

Windows Vista is apparently available for businesses and schools to purchase, but not ready for home use. The home version of Vista will be released in January, which makes perfect sense if you think about it:

I'm guessing what Microsoft wants to do is get everyone to buy these nice, expensive, new, top-of-the-line computers for their families for Christmas that have the ability to upgrade to Windows Vista. Then in January, the very few days after Christmas, Vista will hit the shelves and comp companies will introduce their new best models, rending all the "best" computers everyone just got for Christmas pretty much average comps. This way, both computer companies and Microsoft make more money.

What do you guys think of this? Should I wait? Should I buy now? Open for discussion.

- Darktica

Discussion is locked

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Expensive? Not from my view.
Nov 2, 2006 11:36AM PST

I wonder if you remember when the nifty new 486's came out and were only 10 grand?

What you get for the money today seems to be a bargain.

Bob

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should i wait
Nov 5, 2006 12:00PM PST

im going to i biuld my own systems so to get the best hardware for my new system i will wait

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Depends on Need
Nov 6, 2006 12:06PM PST

Whether you want to wait for Vista or buy a new computer now all depends on how much you need the new computer. If your old computer doesn't work anymore, yes, definitely buy a new one. However, if you can wait a year or so to get a new computer this would be best. Whenever a new Microsoft becomes available you know it is going to be chalk full of bugs. If you could wait a year for the initial problems to be ironed out then you will be able to get Vista without it falling apart. The one thing I would not do would be to buy Vista right when it comes out because there is no way a new Microsoft computer with a brand new OS will last that long before the bugs get, just judging by Microsoft's track record. But hey, I'm just guessing so do what you think is right.

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wait
Nov 7, 2006 7:06AM PST

well, windows vista will have an impact on both the gaming world and the productive world

1) vista will have support for directx 10, but it takes a powerful graphics card. you must have at least 256 MB of ram and a 400 mhz or faster core clock

2) I would suggest getting a computer with an intel xeon dual core, and maybe even two for the best performance. these processors can handle large amounts of information, exactly what games need

3) windows vista is bad in one respect. apps for all OS's before it will not run on vista. So that's none of your games, productivity software, and antivirus and spyware protection programs.

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Hm...
Nov 10, 2006 9:01AM PST

"3) windows vista is bad in one respect. apps for all OS's before it will not run on vista. So that's none of your games, productivity software, and antivirus and spyware protection programs."

So, if I get a computer now and buy Vista a month after it's released, after I install Vista I won't be able to play any of my games, run any of my anti-virus, etc.?

I don't get how that would make sense, but that's how I understood what you said.

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He's incorrect...
Nov 10, 2006 9:53AM PST

While some previously-released software will not run on Vista the majority of existing software and games will.

The two main categories of programs that will be affected are security software (primarily antivirus) and customization software for the simple reason is that they manipulate system files which have changed in the latest version of Windows. Support for previous versions is up to the individual companies, but it's pretty much guaranteed that if you have Norton Antivirus 2005 sitting around it will be unusable if you upgrade to Vista. The 2007 versions, though, are scheduled to receive free updates that make them compatible with Vista.

If you're curious, you can click here to see what software was confirmed by fellow users as compatible with the last beta version of Vista. Just keep in mind that not all software was tested and that now that Vista has been finalized more companies will be releasing updates to make their software compatible.

John

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i didnt even read all your post but...
Dec 7, 2006 6:09AM PST

i m planning on buying a desktop pc too, and yes i think it is definately a really good idea to wait, specially if you are planning on buying a good pc like me, spending about 1500 bucks, unless of course you need it right away, which i figured you dont because you are asking if you should wait....so i would wait...actualy i am waiting.

ps: has microsoft announced a realease date already?

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Yes, they have...
Dec 7, 2006 11:38AM PST

Windows Vista is currently available to those with MSDN subscriptions and is (or was) available in limited supply at CompUSA. General availability is set for January 30th, which is when Amazon and other retailers will start shipping as well.

John

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How about the other side of things...
Dec 11, 2006 6:53AM PST

I don't think Vista hitting the shelves will take down a pretty high-end system drastically. However, the new hardware coming out like the quad-core processors that Intel has out now and coming soon as well as AMD's new architecture that is due in the middle of next year will bring down those top of the line systems. Similarly for video cards so this would have happened this past year in a sense.

There will always be new stuff coming out and so the real question is whether or not you can wait for something to come out that makes you go, "I have to get THAT," or not. Do quad-core CPUs impress you? These are coming soon and some could potentially make a similar argument to wait for AMD's quad-core solution which should be out next year rather than the QuadFX which doesn't seem to do well in some tests, at least according to what I've read.

I just bought a desktop a couple months back that I'm quite happy with that I believe will tide me over till 2008/2009 when it'll be time to see how well have quad-core systems come as well as how has AMD done with their acquisition of ATI in making new video cards.

Regards,
JB