Upgrade to Windows 7

Bob_A wrote in post #16574538
Anyone that has built their own computer (such as the OP) has enough skill to configure Win 8.1 such that 1) you never have to see Metro, 2) you never need to logon with an MS account and 3) for $3 you can have an exact replica of the Win 7 start button (StartIsBack+) ... and you end up with a better OS than Win 7. Win 8.1 is the same as Win 7 with speed advantages and an improved Windows Explorer.

I used to think the same way as you, but after messing around with Win 8/8.1 for a few months I'd now only recommend Win 7 to someone that is technically challenged or to someone that really needs XP Virtual Machine.

BINGO.

Bob_A wrote in post #16574538
Anyone that has built their own computer (such as the OP) has enough skill to configure Win 8.1 such that 1) you never have to see Metro, 2) you never need to logon with an MS account and 3) for $3 you can have an exact replica of the Win 7 start button (StartIsBack+) ... and you end up with a better OS than Win 7. Win 8.1 is the same as Win 7 with speed advantages and an improved Windows Explorer.

I used to think the same way as you, but after messing around with Win 8/8.1 for a few months I'd now only recommend Win 7 to someone that is technically challenged or to someone that really needs XP Virtual Machine.

I have Win8 on two PCs at home and configure several new ones each week for others. I do all the tricks to minimize its suckage, but its still a PITA. Since setting are now scattered between the Control Panel and PC Settings, you can never really rid yourself of metro.

mayt444 wrote in post #16573080
I built the computer 2 years ago. LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, ASUS M4A88T-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard, AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor, G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM, OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply. The motherboard supports up to 16gb memory. So just bite the bullet and get 7?

Heck, that's a perfectly fine system. Slap a $100 SSD on the sucker and you'll be good to go with Win7. (The Phenom is fully 64 bit capable, and the Mobo will hold up to 16GB, which should be 'enough' for most PP work.)

Like the others, I'd avoid Win8 like the Black Death.

Sounds good. I can get the SSD, Win 7, and a 1 TB drive on Amazon for under 250.00. Use the SSD for my OS and the 1 TB for storage. I think I will leave XP on my old hard drive in case I ever need to use any of my old software. Thanks again for the input.
Clay

Geonerd wrote in post #16574780
Heck, that's a perfectly fine system. Slap a $100 SSD on the sucker and you'll be good to go with Win7. (The Phenom is fully 64 bit capable, and the Mobo will hold up to 16GB, which should be 'enough' for most PP work.)

Like the others, I'd avoid Win8 like the Black Death.

I suggest you go direct to Windows 8.1. Just get one of the programs that disables the metro interface and gives you a windows 7 type start menu and it works like W7. That will avoid you becoming quite so out of date for a while.

Good SSD here. I use the pro version, 128GB, but I have two 128GB SSDs - first for OS/programs second for caches and random stuff.

emvy wrote in post #16573217
You will not be disappointed by Windows 7, your config is perfectly suited for it, I would wedge in another 4GB of RAM and you'll be set. Snap your neck before thinking about Windows 8 though.

^ This !!!

Clay, if you go SSD go with an Intel. Should be the same pricing and by far the most reliable in the market. Samsung's are good...great for benching.

Funny you should mention that! After my last post I went and did some research. I found a good deal on a Intel 530 series 240 Gig and bought it. Now the operating system and 4 more gigs of memory. Newegg still has the memory to match what I have now so I will pick that up.

YP5 Toronto wrote in post #16575721
Clay, if you go SSD go with an Intel. Should be the same pricing and by far the most reliable in the market. Samsung's are good...great for benching.