So what is Vista even like?

Your computer would be fine. But it would need a ram upgrade. Everything I read says that Vista's RAM sweet spot starts at a gig. I would say 1024 or go home.

Your processor is plenty fast (faster then mine and I have no issues) and your video card is fine too.

Don't let the calls of Nvidias poor support of Vista scare you off.

Just understand this.

I run an 8800 card with the 32 bit Vista and I am fine.

I can't vouch for the 64-bit version.

Those people that say that Nvidia drivers make Vista unusable - ask them these questions:

1) Are they talking from personal experience? If so what was the experience?

2) Are they using a bought copy or a pirate copy?

3) 32 bit or 64 bit?

A fair number of the people freaking out about it have no experience whatsoever. They are just repeating crap they have read on the web.
 
I'm going to build a new machine in September here when I get my bonus. Are they still having problems with Creative, or will my SoundBlaster Audigy be just fine? (What else is there? Hell no I'm not buying a Turtle Beach. . )

I've heard that supposedly with Vista you "don't need" a virus program / security suite. Is this true or no? Currently I use NOD32 and love it. Would it be wise to keep going to Vista?

Yeah I know, "google it" but I'm hoping to hear from someone who's had experience.
 
TheEspionage, I agree your processor will work fine with Vista.

I think you should upgrade your RAM as well. To be quite honest I find XP and OSX barely acceptable on 1gb of RAM, Vista isn't much different. The big difference between XP and Vista is that Vista is able to use more RAM more effectively. Two or three gb in XP is nice, but in Vista it's nicer.

In my experience so far Vista seems to possibly handle multi-core processors better as well.

As far as nVidias driver support, I haven't tried a new version in a while. Even with the drivers included in Vista you can still game and everything works. I have to look in to the changes to see what has been improved, the biggest annoyance to me was that the drivers used to not throttle the GPU fan down when it wasn't needed. I don't know if that's been fixed but I have an aftermarket cooler now and hardly care. (I have a 7950GT, I'm not really a gamer but I have played C&C3 on Vista 64 and it ran perfectly).

Like Stilgar said, people are freaking out about Vista and many of them have no real experience with it. IMO it's probably my favorite between XP and OSX right now, but it's not perfect which is to be expected. Even with Vista 64 and the few driver issues I've had, it's been a good experience.


Mistah, I was looking in to Creative a bit yesterday. The biggest problem I have is that the ADI SoundMax drivers are abysmal and on Asus P5B boards when installed they introduce static and noise, so I'm just using onboard sound without any drivers. It looks like creative does now have Vista 32 and 64 drivers but I'm not 100% sure. I might get one of their cards if they had straightforward hearders for front panel sound connections.
 
The only thing it's good for is handling an insane amount of media in view at one time or meta tagged files, which are both great things XP can't do without locking up on even a fast computer.

But that search indexing failed me on lots of files. Zero customizeability. Wish I could change things back to an XP style (like for example right clicking desktop and going to properties and having all view options right there) Wish there would be a "I'm not a 12 or 120 year old who can't use a computer" option. (and yes I turned AUC off or wahtever it is)
 
Vista's nice, at first I didn't really like it. After using it for awhile now I like it alot. It does have some slower transfer speeds that xp did from HDD to HDD and over network. Graphics drivers can be a pain still. All in all though its nice and runs pretty smooth.
 
I am going to be criticised so much for this!...

If you just want the looks and a few of the features of vista but dont really want to pay for it then download this 30mb Vista Transformation Pack. It has a couple of glitches, and not all of the features, but overall I think they've done a damn good job! Screenshots are here: http://www.windowsxlive.net/index.php?page_id=15 and download link is here: http://www.satzoom.com/lucifiar/ under the pic

I know it isn't vista, and I know you dont get the security updates, but if all you want is to change the appearance, then download the pack and look cool
 
I have heard Vista is not as good for gaming as XP. Also read this:
http://blogs.msdn.com/andypennell/archive/2007/06/21/installing-vista-my-personal-hell.aspx
That's from a Microsoft insider who shares his personal hell with Vista. I am very sceptical about Vista right now. Also because the SP1 is not coming along this year only in 2008.
 
Having installed Vista several times (and just helped a friend build and install Vista on his new computer last night) I know nothing of the pains that guy in that blog expresses about Vista.

As far as gaming, all I've played was Command & Conquer 3 on Vista 64 and it worked great even though EA says it doesn't work on Vista 64.

The real reason C&C3 isn't Vista 64 "compatible" is because the anti-pirate software on the disc isn't 64 bit compatible so it would just lock the whole installer out on 64 bit windows, forcing you obtain the game illegally if you want to play it
 
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