Windows 8.1

Running Windows 8.1 as a primary OS for all gaming needs? (Like your going to do anything else with a PC other than play games on it) Well half of the games I've played on my PC have been digital downloads...and as far as digital downloads go Win 8.1 plays most but not all, I've had issues(compatibility or not) with some games that use the STEAM distribution service(s), so I'm extra cautious when purchasing games from them that way. Other digital distributors I've used are Origin and Direct 2 Drive's "digital download" service, both I've had no issues, mind you, that I've been on STEAM far longer than the others but "so far-so good". Yeah, if you got all new software then Windows 8.1 is worthy purchase, as far as upgrading from previous OS's, do your homework, is most of your software on "hard-copy"(floppy diskette, disc, etc.)? I learned the hard way (once again)...with being so eager to get "the latest and greatest in tech" I didn't pause and think that my "retro-gaming" would suffer.

This isn't the first time I've had this issue, same thing happened with the "Vista" upgrade, but if your running contemporary hardware get Windows 8.1 so you won't have to deal with issues us ol'grunts have...just know there really isn't no turning back once you do. So, once again if your into retro-gaming and the alike, do your homework! I was foolish and upgraded my OS not realizing that I'll lose the ability to use my PC as DVR and now I'm relying on streaming services such as Hulu...(yes I'm a DIY'er)

Ehh... I use my PC for lots of things apart from gaming. A PC isn't just a dedicated gaming machine, that's called a console.

I'm ol'school... born from a different cloth...a customizing god. I'm into consoles for competitive reasons only, except when it comes to RTS titles...but extremely nostalgic for ol'school consoles, thou there prices keep me at bay...

Its not really that big of a deal. I upgraded had maybe 2 games that did not play nice with windows 8.1 initially.

@JReefer1: If you're having game compatibility issues with Windows 8.1, you should mention/list them for future reference so others here don't make the same mistake.

Yeah, it's just a fact of life that a new OS update is going to cause some compatibility issues. No version of Windows has ever been 100% compatible with every Windows games ever made.

I myself haven't had any problems with Windows 8.1 on my notebook (my desktop PC still runs Windows 7), and I play nothing but older games on it, including Dawn of War: Soulstorm which I bought off Steam, but I'll continue to keep a lookout for problems. Thank you for the reminder anyway.

I have the following games on my ASUS notebook with Windows 8,1. They all run fine.

Crysis 3

Far Cry 3

Metro Last Light

Hard Reset

Mass Effect 1,2, and 3

Napoleon: Total War

Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

Civilization V

Pinball Arcade

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Other games that ran fine but I later removed

Bioshock

Doom 3

IL-2 Shturmovik: Forgotten Battles

Flight Simulator X

Homeworld 2

Crysis Warhead

A host of old MS-DOS games under DOSBox

A number of old Lucasarts adventure games running under ScummVM.

i've read benchmarks comparing win7 to win8.1 and they tested only a couple games, but they were around 3-6% faster at times in win8.1.

But the problem with that is the fact 3% speed gain is basically like you getting 103 fps in a game instead of 100 fps, which is meaningless to most people... and if theres any uncertainty that win8 will have a compatibility problem with a game you like, your just basically better off with good old familar windows 7. And a 3% speed gain isn't worth it if you ask me.

I tried win8 briefly earlier this year and i hated its look, and layout of things, and to me it wasn't something i could get used to. I'd force myself to use windows 8 if the performance gains were 20% or more in games.

Unless you have a touchscreen then windows 8 is a waste of time to get but thanks to win8 I been making extra funds doing simple stuff for people who can't figure it out lol

Another uneducated post. Yipeeeeeee.

You wouldn't choose Win8 just for a small performance increase in games. You would go there if you want to use the new features or just want the latest OS for a new build.

I'm using 8.1 without any updates and all run perfect without any problems or crashing

Good God no, run Windows 7 all the way to the very end until there's no physical way you can anymore. Which won't be for a very very long time since many PCs are still running XP.

All Microsoft OS' in the future will be garbage. Windows 8 is garbage. Microsoft is garbage. Valve is doing a good thing by trying to push Linux to be a viable PC gaming platform but the majority of the PC gaming fanboys on this forum can't look past their old habits, personal preferences, biases, and stupid opinions and look towards innovation.

Keep running Windows 7 for as long as you can.

Been using Win 8 and 8.1 since they RTM'd. No issues. I'd kind of like to find a HDMI Tv tuner that runs well since of all the things hooked to my TV/Tuner in my den (PC, XB1, XB360, PS4, PS3) I spend by far the most of my time on the PC.

Only fanboy I see here is you with Valve.

Windows 8 is garbage? Have you even used it? I'm guessing no. Stop talking nonsense and then accusing others of being a fanboy. Windows 8.1 works fine, the same as Win7 with new features and a different menu which you can disable. SteamOS isn't innovating anything.