I am running on a machine that has way more than enough power to play every game I have, but I can't run any of them, except Skyrim. I am livid because I can't play the Witcher or Oblivion or ANYTHING. NOTHING works on this POS! I'm running Windows Vista 64bit SP2. It's as good for nothing as the original release. It won't run anything! I am thinking of buying Windows 7 64-bit, or downloading SteamOS. If I go the SteamOS route, can I re-download all the games I've bought on Steam and play them? Does steam port games to their own OS? It angers me that I have to consider buying a game I already bought, like The Witcher or Oblivion. I bought The Witcher and The Witcher 2 last night and I can't get the Witcher to run at all.
I'm about to pull-out the Single-core Athlon 64. At least The Witcher and Oblivion work on it. What if I "upgrade" my Dell Inspiron 530s to Windows XP? Is that a good idea? How good is the 64-bit version?
windows 7 pro 64bit
Well for the best possible improvement ............ Build a new one. Which can be done at reasonable cost, except maybe the gpu.
I have a Sapphire Radeon HD 7770. I think all my problems are related to software compatibility, not hardware. I run Skyrim at Ultra-High in 720P at 60FPS. My CPU and memory, while a few years old, are more than enough to do the job.
I am thinking about buying a copy of Windows 7 pro 64.
BTW, how good is Windows XP 64-bit?
Make sure to go to the manufacturers web site and download and run the 64 bit drivers....for the V word...
Based on your specs, I would say build a new system gradually. By that I mean, buy new components in stages. I wouldn't install XP because it's support days are nearing an end. I would tell you to upgrade to 7, but why get Windows when you can have a Linux system? Mainly, you should upgrade your system and get Windows 8 because Linux isn't there yet.
Mainly, you should upgrade your system and get Windows 8 because Linux isn't there yet.
I hate 8. It's a real pain in the ass. If there were SIGNIFICANT performance advantages and compatibility, I might have to consider it.
I liked Windows 7 a lot. A friend of mine has 7 on his Core 2 Duo and it runs all the games that I have mentioned, at high settings, with less memory and a Sapphire Radeon HD 5550.
I still like XP, even though it IS long in the tooth, just because it's such a rock-solid system. I have enjoyed Windows XP from the day I got it, until today. I'm not too jazzed about them ending support, but a lot of IT's had said a few years ago they they will still use it because it's so solid. Even If I use it offline only, if it runs my software and peripherals and Vista won't, why buy something else?
Try out windows 8.1, especially if you have even considered Steam OS
Just accept the change, as quite a few games even run better. The responsiveness of Win8 will knock your socks off at your standards.
If nothing, dual boot to Steam OS.
At this option, there is no need to upgrade any hardware. $100 at Walmart buys you Win8.1 32 & 64 bit. With a new CPU comes a new mainboard, heatsync, and fans (as your "upgrade" option) with a $150 GPU.
If you get anything other than Win8.1 , you will be in the same position that you are in now by the end of this year.
Get up to par on your OS and then determine what you need.
Also I'd like to point out that if one of the main things stopping you from moving to 8 is the start screen, use a 3rd party start menu replacement such as StartIsBack. Logan uses it, and I use it and I love it. There still will be some more compatibility issues over 7 though.
you can get win7 dirt cheap from an OEM reseller.
As for steam OS: it's basically in beta test, about 300 games are available.
If you are willing to invest time in learning Linux you can get almost any game to work in wine.