The Glade 4.0

Basically, I am trying to revive my old PC that crashed and burned a year ago as a second workstation. Thing is, I don't need to go all out with it, so I was wondering if, at this point, purchasing the less-expensive Windows XP (or Vista) is worth it for a more Spartan system. Or just spend the little extra and get Win 7?

The older computer is not beefy by any means. I think it's like 3-4 ghZ processor (single core), 4 gigs of DDR RAM, 250 gig HD.

If I didn't have a compelling reason for buying WIn7, I'd sure not do it.

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In time, this too shall pass.

Keep in mind, at the end of this year, XP is EOL. No more security updates or patches.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

Put Ubuntu or Debian on it

I'm pretty much OS agnostic, I'm all about the functionality. UNIX is the schnitz because of the tools. Windows runs programs I need. XP runs everything I want and I've got licenses to spare, so that's my MS OS of choice.

If I had to pay, I'd pay for Win7, just 'cause it would have the longest return on the investment.

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In time, this too shall pass.

Oh I didn't know that. That definitely changes things for me.

Ok, so my questions now are:

1.) Given the specs I listed in my OP, would my old PC even be able to run Win 7 efficiently enough to make it worth while? (Spec sheet I saw said 1 gHz processor, 1 gig or RAM and some insignificant amount of HS space, but I am not sure how accurate these requirements are)

2.) If I can find it for cheaper, would it be less taxing to just buy and install Vista, or is Vista more of a resource hog than 7?

Do NOT buy Vista. Don't even accept a free version. It's just not worth it. Think of it as Win 7 Alpha

I have run Win7 perfectly on systems not as powerful as yours.

Gonna also recommend Win7 over XP or Vista. Your system is plenty strong enough to run Win7. Is it a 64 bit CPU? Make sure you get the 64-bit version of Windows. The 32-bit version will have trouble addressing all of your RAM.

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I've actually been pretty content with Vista so far. Then again, I was a late adopter of it, and have a pretty meaty system running it.

That said, if it weren't for the fact that I really do not want to have to back up all my stuff on the main PC, I'd probably get a second copy of Win 7 for the main and just format/install, for future proofing reasons.

As for the RAM issue, Mookhow, it looks like I will unfortunately have to stick with the 32-bit version and take my chances, as I believe my chipset only supports 32-bit architecture on the old PC (not 100% sure tho, and no way to check atm).

You should be able to find the motherboard model number on the board somewhere. Then you can look up the specs and determine if it's a 32-bit or 64-bit motherboard. Microsoft says Win32 will support 4 GB, however I didn't have much luck with that. XP, at least, always reported 3 GB.

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Here's the spec sheet, but not seeing where it says one way or the other:

Link

The Intel 955X Chipset supports 64 bit OS's

http://www.pctechguide.com/13Chipsets_i955X.htm

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In time, this too shall pass.

Interesting, I was told long ago that it didn't support that. Cool.

Course, doesn't your chip set have to be 64-bit, or just the motherboard?

EDIT for clarity: In other words, aren't only dual core+ chip sets capable of supporting 64-bit? Mine is a single core.

No, there are also 64-bit single core chips.

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"I Live, I Love, I Slay, and I Am Content."
- Conan the Barbarian

The board supports the following processors:



cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/20/48/204887_204887.pdf

The Pentium® 4 Extreme Edition is a dual core chip, you can get them used these days for under $200.00

They were VERY over-clockable, so watch out if you're buying used.

Pentium D's are dual core too, you can get them for around $100.00

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In time, this too shall pass.

Oh, come on. That's a bit harsh.

Yes, if you have the means to get 7, do so over Vista. Yes, if you're buying an OS fresh, buy 7. But "don't accept a free version" (or one you've already got) of Vista is overly harsh.

7 is superior. It's more efficient than Vista in a lot of ways and performance metrics. But Vista's not a pile of **** anymore, either.

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"Aaaah! Emotions are weird!" - Amdee
"... Mirrorshades prevent the forces of normalcy from realizing that one is crazed and possibly dangerous. They are the symbol of the sun-staring visionary, the biker, the rocker, the policeman, and similar outlaws." - Bruce Sterling, preface to Mirrorshades

I whole heartedly endorse Windows 7. I'm Screeling, and I approve this message.

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The Dude abides.

Harsh...but true.

Sorry...I had few problems with Vista until I started trying to get Phe's computer to acknowledge that yes, you want to connect to a damn network. That and having used it for five years seems to have made Vista want to have debilitating strokes when you try to, well, do anything.

Screw you Vista. There's a reason my previously Mac-averse wife decided that when she got a new computer, she wanted a Macbook.

I've not yet tried Windows 7, but when we get around to it, I'd like to give it a go. But there's no doubt in my mind that Vista was a placeholder for a better OS.

7 is less of a system hog than Vista and is superior in every way (to Vista). It's also pretty cheap for a MS OS.

Ordered two OEM full versions of Win 7 Home for my two PC's ($99.00 EA) -- a 32 and 64 bit version.

Thanks again guys!

Put me down as the lone person on this forum who thinks Windows 7 is a hacked together piece of junk that needs to die in a fire.

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You're not actually alone.

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He's not, but I understand Doom feeling that way - it's lonely at the top.

Poor, poor Doomie...

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In time, this too shall pass.

[youtube]fqcn_TPu4qQ[/youtube]

At least GIR <3's him.

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Holy shitsnacks!