Build new PC or wait till Win7 Release?

RalphM wrote on 8/17/2009, 7:07 AM

Wondering the pros and cons about buying a copy of Vista and building an i7 machine now with an upgrade to Win 7 when it comes out in October, or waiting till the official release of Win 7 and building at that time. There is no time pressure for the new PC.

$$ and/or technical considerations would be welcome.

Thanks,
RalphM

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 8/17/2009, 7:43 AM

I guess i don't see why either thing is conditional on the other.

You can build a PC now and install what you have, and upgrade it later.

You can build a PC later and install what you have then, and upgrade it later.

On the other axis ...

You can build a PC now and take advantage of the hardware upgrade that will give you now.

You can build a PC later and take advantage of the better hardware upgrade that will give you later.

I'd say the second axis is the far more important consideration. Do you want a speed boost that you can take advantage of now, or do you want a better speed boost later at the expense of waiting longer to get it? The OS doesn't figure into that equation at all.

RalphM wrote on 8/17/2009, 8:17 AM

Thanks Kelly,
I guess my unspoken (untyped?) concern was for the relative merits of an OS upgrade versus a clean install.

Another question would be, do I need anything more than the "home" version of a MS OS (Vista or Win7) for use on a dedicated editing machine?

MozartMan wrote on 8/17/2009, 8:39 AM

Ralph,

I am already using Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise RTM for a week (our college has volume licensing with MS). It rocks. I wouldn't bother with Vista. Clean install is always better.

PerroneFord wrote on 8/17/2009, 9:12 AM

We've been running Win7 for months. Do a clean install.

Chienworks wrote on 8/17/2009, 10:05 AM

Still not a conditional item. You can easily do a clean install on an existing system. It doesn't matter whether you built the computer 5 minutes ago or 5 years ago, you can wipe the drive and do a clean install either way.

RalphM wrote on 8/17/2009, 5:08 PM

I'm assuming that "wipe the drive" means totally remove the OS, perhaps via reformat? If so, means re-install of all apps!?!?!?

Not trying to be obtuse, just trying to understand the implications...

MarkHolmes wrote on 8/17/2009, 6:32 PM

Yes, a clean install requires reinstalling all apps. I am building an i7 machine now but waiting until October 22nd when Win 7 is released to finish it. I wish it could happen sooner, but it's worth the wait.

I've been running Win 7 on my laptop since the public beta. It's the best Windows OS they've ever put out, bar none.

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I actually prefer it to OSX on my Mac Pro.

Sebaz wrote on 8/17/2009, 6:55 PM

You can build it now and install Win 7 RC for free, then see if you can get the OEM version of 7 when it comes out, which at least for Vista you were able to buy if you bought an internal component, even a cheap SATA cable. OEM versions are about as cheap as the upgrade. The only disadvantage is that is tied to the first motherboard you install it on once you activate it, and I think MS doesn't let you transfer it to another motherboard.

Chienworks wrote on 8/17/2009, 7:07 PM

"The only disadvantage is that is tied to the first motherboard you install it on once you activate it, and I think MS doesn't let you transfer it to another motherboard."

The single biggest reason to abandon Windows ever put forth.

I avoid a new OS until it provides better value than the one i'm currently using. XP didn't reach that point until after it had been out for about 3 or 4 years. If that's really true about Windows 7 then it's unlikely ever to provide more value to me than XP.

Hmmmm, just wondering ... but how long would it be before Microsoft faces a class action lawsuit over that policy?

Sebaz wrote on 8/17/2009, 7:49 PM

"The only disadvantage is that is tied to the first motherboard you install it on once you activate it, and I think MS doesn't let you transfer it to another motherboard."

I was only referring to the OEM version, which is supposed to be for system builders. Retail versions do not have the motherboard restriction.

XP probably can't make good use of an i7, it's a system from 2001 patched a lot over the years, but not designed with the new technologies from the get go.

Chienworks wrote on 8/17/2009, 7:56 PM

That's quite true. But the question still remains ... when will Win7 provide more value than XP does? For me, probably not for a very long time.

xberk wrote on 8/17/2009, 8:07 PM

In my experience, you can reinstall and register a copy of windows after changing motherboards, or cpu or harddrives -- but not all three at once - I've done two out of three many times (including fresh installs of Vista).

My wife uses XP. She has a lot of legacy software that she really needs and that runs very smoothly for her. She just has no reason to change. But I reckon that someday soon she will find some new software, or printer -- or something that XP will not support. That's how they get ya in the end! I run Vista 64 and love it. I did it mainly to try 64 bit Vegas but I actually like Vista. I've already ordered Win7 upgrade (for $50 -- how cheap is that?) and will do a new i7-Win7 build for some render speed improvement with 64bit Vegas. Hopefully, as I did with Vista, I'll find other things in the new OS that I like!

othersteve wrote on 8/17/2009, 8:12 PM

TechNet member here. My impressions? Windows 7 is truly amazing. I ran the beta, then the RC, and now a clean install of the RTM. I have close to zero complaints and have experienced not a single bug in several days of heavy computing. I can't recommend it highly enough.

I'd wait and get a computer in a couple of months if you're planning on building to avoid the hassle of reinstalling all your software and setting everything up again.

Steve

RalphM wrote on 8/18/2009, 5:52 AM

Many thanks for all the replies and observations. My nine yr old vehicle just ate the $$ set aside for building the new PC, so I'll be waiting till October.

Sometimes decisions get made for you...

RalphM

warriorking wrote on 8/18/2009, 8:08 AM

I will be skipping Windows 7 altogether, no real life changing gain over my current Vista 64Bit Ultimate, which has run trouble free for me in Vegas and on all my PC builds.....

Former user wrote on 8/18/2009, 8:33 AM

when will Win7 provide more value than XP does?

Then don't upgrade. Don't even worry about it.

Your argument certainly had merit back in early 2007 when Vista came out of the chute in a blaze of bloated disaster - but even today Vista SP2 completely buries XP.

So let's see - you can't buy it anymore - support is about finished on XP as Microsoft has it on the "end of life" list...it's not optimized for any of today's new hardware...driver vendors are just about to sunset it as well - writing their newest optimized drivers for Vista and Windows 7....yup - that's sounds like a rock solid value proposition to me.

Good luck :)

VP