Is Vista worth it?

I have Vista, and have switched back and forth a couple times, but ultimately ended up sticking to it for a couple reasons.

First; the user interface, and overall experience, is just a lot cooler. Everything's new and slick. And, you're right, the directx10 games are starting to arrive, another reason to switch, if you've got a DX10 card that is.

There are some downsides, and those are:

In general, games run slower. Some more than others. Also, Vista sucks up a lot more RAM than XP. Playing games like Lord of the Rings Online was not fun with even 1gb of Ram. Moving up to 2gb pretty much alleviated the problem.

Also, I'm not sure of the how or the why, but DirectSound isn't/doesn't work in Vista, meaning that expensive SB X-Fi card I have puts out lovely sound, but only in 2-channel. Creative has this program to work around the issue, but that only works with certain games, and is an extra step that shouldn't be necessary.

And, of course, there may be compatibility issues with various hardware or software, but that's becoming less of an issue as manufacturers get on board.

So, basically, you have an appealing new interface/look, DX10, and easier use going for it. You have heftier requirements, decreased overall game performance, and quirky incompatibilites going against it. But, if you want DX10 games, you really have no choice.

As for games, yes Crysis is out/will be out. There is also a patch for Company of Heroes that adds DX10 support, and I think there's a very real, noticeable difference in quality (for the better). Of course, it runs slower with it enabled.

Hold up.... you're telling me in order to run DX10 games... I need fu**ing VISTA! I hope that's just a suggestion... because honestly, I don't have the cash to get Vista right now, and from what I hear, isn't really worth it. What does it REALLY do, prettier interface? Because I think that it is very possible to run DX10 games with XP SP2... chaoticchild555

As of now you need Vista for DX 10, where have you been. LOL

And for everyone complaining about a new OS, are you still using WIN 95, have you never upgraded. I felt the same way when XP came out, but guess what me, along with everyone else got over it.

I remember hearing the same stuff when XP came out. "XP is nothing but a system-hog" "XP is unnecessary, I can do everything I need on 98" My how the times change.

Hold up.... you're telling me in order to run DX10 games... I need fu**ing VISTA! I hope that's just a suggestion... because honestly, I don't have the cash to get Vista right now, and from what I hear, isn't really worth it. What does it REALLY do, prettier interface? Because I think that it is very possible to run DX10 games with XP SP2... chaoticchild555

Hold up.... you're telling me in order to run DX10 games... I need fu**ing VISTA! I hope that's just a suggestion... because honestly, I don't have the cash to get Vista right now, and from what I hear, isn't really worth it. What does it REALLY do, prettier interface? Because I think that it is very possible to run DX10 games with XP SP2... chaoticchild555

Yes, you must have Vista and a DX10 card to run DX10 games. Radical changes have been made to the DirectX API that makes it almost impossible to get it working on XP - That comes from Micro$oft.

However, then there's this debate.

ATM, no DX10 for XP. But that's not to say that it might be possible in the future.

It's a tough call.

Right now Vista = pretty, XP = performance.

My advice is to NOT get Vista unless you have a brand new machine with enough resources to run it. There are way too many compatibility problems and no performance gains to be had.

So I upgraded my computer a few months ago. I was intending to get Vista ultimate then, but it seemed like they didn't have all the kinks worked out yet, so I figured it might be better to wait until I actually had a solid reason to make the Vista switch.
Well, that time has come. The Crysis demo comes out Monday, and I really want to be able to enjoy it in all it's glory. Seems from what I've seen that this is the only game where DX10 really makes a noticeable visual difference, but it's a real solid difference.
Now my question is, from someone who currently owns it, do they have most of the kinks worked out of Vista? Will I be happy with my purchase? Is there anything I should consider before sinking my cash into Vista?
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give me.jporter313

I actually don't find Vista to be a system hog like allot of people claim it to be. AS long as you have 2gigs of RAM you're good to go!gamer082009

That's why people say it's a system hog. You need 2 gigs on Vista to get the same performance as 1 gig in XP.

Damn... well it seems about time to start saving money... chaoticchild555

Just to clarify...you must have vista to run games that support DX10 IN DX10. But, you can still play those games in DX9. DX9 has better performance than DX10 and the only game that has noticeable visual quality improvements from DX10 is world in conflict, which still looks great in DX9.

In my opinion DX10 is not worth it, all you gain is a less stable os, compatibility issues, extremely marginal visual improvements (although crysis may change that) and less performance. And don't forget you need a new DX10 video card.

I have Vista running on a Q6600, 2 gigs and a 8600 (Will upgrade the gfx card soon) on Vista Home Premium. My very first impressions were pretty good in the beginning. Especially the aero interface is looking beautifull. Although... I have noticed games run much worse on Vista when I compare it to XP.

So far DX10 has been no difference at all. I have tested World in Conflict and Bioshock. The difference is very minimal. I needed a microscope to find out lol. Not worth the perfomance decrease.

Also 5.1 surround, Dolby Digital, DTS and EAX... forget about it. Sound Cards from Creative and soundblaster cards are a complete mess! Drivers are a nightmare! And support is very bad. If you're going to get Vista... 2.1 stereo sound is what you gonna get to hear from your expensive speakersunless you run a NEW game with OpenAL support. Microsoft and Creative relationship has decided change the way sound works in Vista. Directsound3D no more...

For me the only reason I stay with Vista right now is because I paid 129 euros for it... otherwise I would immediately go back to XP.

*Waits forsome Vista fanboy whowill come and bash me for my critisicm...*

Edit: Read what Subrosian said several posts above me for sound issues on Vista

DX10 isn't just about visual difference... M$ had promised perfomance increase also with DX10. Wich obviously I'm not seeing yet. Bioshock perfomanceon Vista DX10 wasequal to XP... but the visual difference wasn't noticeble so that makes kinda sense I guess.

XP uses about 300mb memory while Vista uses 600+ while doing nothing and it can reach to 900+ when you're on the internet.

No. Its not.

So far ALL of the dx10 games have been moddable to look like dx10 while using XP. Vista looks cooler and slicker while increasing your productivity by zero. Its a bloated resource hog at best.

Until DX10 really adds something i cant live without and there is a game i cant mod or alter i'll still to xp.

62>32

why not get twice as much done is the same time

No. Its not.

So far ALL of the dx10 games have been moddable to look like dx10 while using XP. Vista looks cooler and slicker while increasing your productivity by zero. Its a bloated resource hog at best.

Until DX10 really adds something i cant live without and there is a game i cant mod or alter i'll still to xp.

Alter_Echo

[QUOTE="Alter_Echo"]

No. Its not.

So far ALL of the dx10 games have been moddable to look like dx10 while using XP. Vista looks cooler and slicker while increasing your productivity by zero. Its a bloated resource hog at best.

Until DX10 really adds something i cant live without and there is a game i cant mod or alter i'll still to xp.

Indestructible2

It was on the front page. I didnt look at the date till just now. Dont ask me how. Ive never went to the 2nd page of any forum the entire time ive been a member here.

Hold up.... you're telling me in order to run DX10 games... I need fu**ing VISTA! I hope that's just a suggestion... because honestly, I don't have the cash to get Vista right now, and from what I hear, isn't really worth it. What does it REALLY do, prettier interface? Because I think that it is very possible to run DX10 games with XP SP2... chaoticchild555

Faster, things are easier to find (like settings, etc), start menu is slimmed and more organized, Glass is AUSOME!, all the cool third party apps are on Vista now and they run even better, the Games PWNZORZ!, and all the newest cool stuff goes on Vista now. W00t for Vista!