Download XP Sp2 or buy Vista Basic?

[ShadowFold]

I need to get a SP2 install disc but I cant slipstream to my Dell OEM disc(only XP disc I have) because my mobo needs XPSP2 to install.. So either I need a place to download XP SP2(legally) full or buy Vista Basic x86 or x64, if I buy Vista would I like x64? All I do is game and I wont have enough money to buy an extra gig or two of ram for awile if I buy it. So what do I do?

[farlex85]

Um, shouldn't that just download automatically through windows update? Or is it b/c you can't get into windows without it? I personally would go with vista, 2 gigs should be enough, although you might see a slight perfomance in games drop with 2 gigs until you tweak it.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I need to get a SP2 install disc but I cant slipstream to my Dell OEM disc(only XP disc I have) because my mobo needs XPSP2 to install.. So either I need a place to download XP SP2(legally) full or buy Vista Basic x86 or x64, if I buy Vista would I like x64? All I do is game and I wont have enough money to buy an extra gig or two of ram for awile if I buy it. So what do I do?

If you went Vista, why basic?

I found that Vista Home Premium x64 with SP1 (RC) is actually faster than Vista x86 and Vista x64 with no SP.

[das müffin mann]

that two gigs may be pushing it on a gaming rig that would be running vista, i personally go with xp, but it may be a more future proof idea to get vista now

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Um, shouldn't that just download automatically through windows update? Or is it b/c you can't get into windows without it? I personally would go with vista, 2 gigs should be enough, although you might see a slight perfomance in games drop with 2 gigs until you tweak it.

The drop in FPS is next to nothing.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

that two gigs may be pushing it on a gaming rig that would be running vista, i personally go with xp, but it may be a more future proof idea to get vista now
Especially since they dropped the price of HP.

[farlex85]

The drop in FPS is next to nothing.

It is, but to some people that is a deal breaker. I personally can play a game at 25 fps and be perfectly happy, but thats just me. The drop can become nil and even reverse if you tweak vista also.

[ShadowFold]

Um, shouldn't that just download automatically through windows update? Or is it b/c you can't get into windows without it? I personally would go with vista, 2 gigs should be enough, although you might see a slight perfomance in games drop with 2 gigs until you tweak it.

I get a BSOD when I go into the boot from CD thing like 20 seconds into it while its loading all the stuff on that blue screen where it says "Windows Setup" or w/e

If you went Vista, why basic?

I found that Vista Home Premium x64 with SP1 (RC) is actually faster than Vista x86 and Vista x64 with no SP.

Well Basic is 20$ cheaper and all I do is play games and dl stuff I dont need the aero or w/e. I just spent 110$ on the board so im pretty low on cash as is..

[fitseries3]

i dont think you can get 64bit basic. get home premium 64.

[ShadowFold]

Yea they have basic x64 on newegg but I cant get home premium its too much and I think im just gonna get x86 anyway I dont feel like dealing with x64 after all this.

[fitseries3]

64bit isnt as bad as people say. its actually better than 32 bit in a lot of ways. people are just too stubborn to admit it.

[farlex85]

Most of the compatibility issues have been worked out. If for some reason its not, working, bitch at microsoft until it does. lol

[ShadowFold]

Wouldnt it use a ton on memory tho? I only have 2gb and I wont be able to get some more for awile.

[fitseries3]

Wouldnt it use a ton on memory tho? I only have 2gb and I wont be able to get some more for awile.

no. you are misinformed. it can utilize more memory. it's not gonna use more just because it's 64bit. i'd recommend getting 4gig's though. it runs everything better.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

Why would x64 use more memory? Its going to use the same amount as x86.

The more memory you have in the system, the more the OS will utilize. That is the whole point of it. People fail to see that and then pitch a bitch about it.

[Snipe343]

vista would be fine, 64bit would probely be ok most games dont have problems with it, i use 2 gigs of ram and i dont get and preformance drop, might be because of the video card tho i donno how these things work XD

[das müffin mann]

hey sometimes people like to bitch just to bitch

[fitseries3]

hey sometimes people like to bitch just to bitch

tell me about it.

[das müffin mann]

ok i will, people shouldn't bitch about certain it just makes you look like a bitchy bitch that bitches about everything, including bitchy people;)

[ShadowFold]

Ok so it would be a good idea to pick up basic x64? alright I think I will. I gotta get the money first tho.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

hey sometimes people like to bitch just to bitch

+1

I cant argue that point at all. Some people just aren't happy unless they are bitching.

[das müffin mann]

i would pick up 64 bit basic, thats probably the best choice for you

[fitseries3]

how much is it? home premium 64bit OEM is only $99.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

how much is it? home premium 64bit OEM is only $99.

$109.99 on Newegg. Just looked. 64bit basic is $89.99

[ShadowFold]

alright I will ask my dad if I can borrow 90$(Im gonna be working hard as hell :() tommorow and hopefully re-setup my AMD rig AGAIN. God next time I buy a new mobo/cpu im goin AMD intels been nothin but trouble :shadedshu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116200
89$ for Vista Basic x64

[fitseries3]

$20 more for the extra features isn't that bad.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

alright I will ask my dad if I can borrow 90$(Im gonna be working hard as hell :() tommorow and hopefully re-setup my AMD rig AGAIN. God next time I buy a new mobo/cpu im goin AMD intels been nothin but trouble :shadedshu

How so?

[das müffin mann]

good luck sir shadowfold and i hope things work out with your system

[ShadowFold]

How so?

What? Intel? Ive been thru two boards in the past month lol my AMD rig hasnt had a problem ever. I bought it last febuary.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I will admit that hardware manufactures are getting sloppy with their work. Both Intel and AMD. Its just luck of the draw. I never did like Foxconn either.

[ShadowFold]

I think my AMD is doin so well because its ASUS, they make good boards but there budget intels are total crap.

[MKmods]

ShadowFold I have a new OEM copy of Vista Home Premium, PM me if you go Vista.

I was gonna say just DL XP64 trial but Microsoft stopped giving it away...

[das müffin mann]

i've never had a problem with foxconn, but an asus is usually my board of choice

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

I think my AMD is doin so well because its ASUS, they make good boards but there budget intels are total crap.

I find it just the opposite. :laugh:

I find that their S939 boards are complete crap and their Intel boards are quite superior. However, their tech support completely blows.

[CrAsHnBuRnXp]

i've never had a problem with foxconn, but an asus is usually my board of choice

Mine is DFI. If I cant get my hands on a DFI board, then its either Abit, Gigabyte, or Asus if i really have to.

[ShadowFold]

Mine is a ASUS Socket AM2 6100. But from the reviews on newegg (Almost 50~70% are under 3 stars..) they just seem like crap.

[Wile E]

no. you are misinformed. it can utilize more memory. it's not gonna use more just because it's 64bit. i'd recommend getting 4gig's though. it runs everything better.
Actually, with the use of 64bit addressing, it does use a little more memory, just due to the way the addressing works out, especially in 32bit apps, but the difference is insignificant to performance.

[cbunting]

Hello,

If you are running any version of Windows XP currently, you can get the Windows Vista Home Basic upgrade for only $40.50

http://softbyweb.stores.yahoo.net/miwivihobaup.html

Chris

[ShadowFold]

I cant get XP installed and I think that requires a non-OEM copy.

[keakar]

if you use your xp key thats on your COD sticker on your dell, you can use any xp version you want as long as its home to home or pro to pro version. (you cant use a xp pro key on xp home)

find one of your friends with a oem version of xp so its free of all that bundled crap your dell cd has and copy the cd. you now have a windows install disk. the key is what your buying when you buy xp so while copying the cd is technically wrong you are not stealing anything as long as you have your own license key.

if you motherboard has issues with installing sp2 (my old soyo board would lock up every time) then microsoft has patches you can download to make all motherboards work with the sp2 download.

[ShadowFold]

I have a XP disc with no SP's are there any patches I can dl? Its a dell one so I cant slipstream SP2 to it :(

and ive never owned a dell I just have it cause my friend gave it to me :)

[Wile E]

I have a XP disc with no SP's are there any patches I can dl? Its a dell one so I cant slipstream SP2 to it :(

and ive never owned a dell I just have it cause my friend gave it to me :)

Wait, so you have both a pre-service pack normal install disc, and a dell disc? If so, just use nLite to integrate SP2 into the normal disc.