computer ?, operating systems Options

[96bluevert]

ok, so some of you know I am building my own computer and at this time I am gathering all the parts that I need. I will have 4gb RAM (with the intent to expand later), so I know I will want to go with a 64-bit OS. Although I can't decide between Windows XP Pro and Windows Vista. I am used to XP, since it has been on my last few computers, although I have heard that Pro has problems with some older software. I've been reading up online about the differences and which would be a better choice, but it hasn't got me anywhere since half the reviews I read say Vista is the way to go, and the other half say XP is the better O/S to get. I don't want to spend $100+ on an Operating system, just to find out I should have gotten the other one .

so, any advice or experiences you guys have had with these two would be helpful.

also, I am assuming that I will want to get the software that is meant for "system builders"...? There are just way too many options on newegg with a very wide variety in price

[Taskbot]

Honestly, I don't see much speed improvement with XP over vista. Maybe thats because my computer is a tank. But like for the short time I had XP on as my main gaming partition it did not seem very fast. Actually it did do a lot of things that got me very fed up. The most annoying one was BF2142 would crash randomly and often, like 2/3 times I played. It had something to do with the nVidea drivers and my 5.1 surround sound combo.

Vista does have some improvement but you're computer has to be new enough to take advantage of it. (Direct X 10 being the best improvement) Most people who complain about vista's speed are probably not running a very fast computer, and I assume since you're building it yourself its going to be fast (and probably overclocked)

Another big thing is that you have to click okay to a lot of stuff. Linux is the same really, and its probably a good thing that they ask you to confirm ****. If you actually read you can tell between **** that's supposed to happen and **** that's not. XP is pretty much the opposite, its very good for super users. If you know what you're doing, and what not to click on with XP you'll be okay for at least 6 months (before it becomes boggy and you have to reformat anyways).

Still, XP does have the benefit of being the most widely adopted and most used OS. Oh and its super easy to hack and customize.

Also, as it stands from the betas, Windows 7 seems to be like a Vista refresh, so don't really count on it being any better than vista... all it will really have is some bug-fixes and DX11. Its not going to be a radical departure from vista, nor will it reach anything close to the standard XP set for OSes. If anything, it will just raise the marketshare of
Linux. ($350 - $500 for an OS is too much. Plus Linux is being more widely accepted and its easier to work with now than before.)

That's my prediction.