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| Spikey2005 |
  Posted 12th Apr 2009 10:04am |  |
L4Y Member
Post 1248 / 2126
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Hello folks!
Today, I'd like to voice my opinion about Windows 7.
First of all, you can download and install Windows 7 Beta for free. You use to be able to download it directly from Microsofts website but that seems to not be available anymore so your just going to have to torrent it.
You can get a CD key for it off Microsofts website. Just search for Windows 7 in google and it would be the second result and click the link "Download The Beta". Hell, ill even provide a link for you scrummy lazy people  Click Here
Well to start off, the task bar is looking pretty nice and user friendly. I love the way how you can hover your mouse over certain application on the task bar that you have open and it gives you a nice graphical interface of the windows you have open. Even hovering your mouse over these graphical interfaces, it will show you what it was on your desktop aswell and hide all the other open applications so that you get a clear view of it.
Observe the screen shot I have provided.
As you can see, the box that appears to be transparent was the Control Panel. Windows 7 hides it incase the application your wanting to open is behind it, so that you can get a clear view of it.
The taskbar interface at the bottom and quite nice too. Allows you to see a small image of the application you had open and gives you a view of what it is. But if your blind as a bat then perhaps this feature might not play a good rule to your role but hovering your mouse over it will show up the actual program and bigger to see, so its not all too bad.
Unfortunally, they kept the old vista start menu in the beta which kind of sucks... It would of been nice for a new layout or something better looking. Don't get me wrong on this but the vista start menu is ok. It has a great feature of keeping all your applications in a neat and tidy format instead of the classical Windows XP start menu when a big huge list of programs you've installed pops out and covers your whole damn screen! Nice one Microsoft.
Another feature that they randomly put in Windows 7 would be the "Show Desktop" button that would located at the very right of your taskbar next to the Time/Date. Hovering your mouse over this feature makes all of your current windows open go into full transparent mode to allow you to see whats on your desktop as shown below.
Oh I forgot to mention, they included a slide show desktop. My desktop background changes every 30 seconds to different images that I specify. This does not have any affect on your CPU in anyway.
So as you can see, the show desktop feature gives you an insight of what you will see before clicking the button. Upon clicking the button, it will minimize your applications and show the full desktop. Beautiful... This being the case, they also added another feature to make all your applications minimize but you can keep one box open.
If I wanted just one box open on my desktop and the other applications minimized, I shake the one box I want open and it will automatically minimize all the others except the one I shook. Shake it again and it will being the applications back to maximize or how they were.
Demostrated here
Well, for my opinion on this operating system.
I think so far, even in Beta, its not looking too bad at all. Its much better than vista and thats not just for the graphical of vista, but the operating system its self. Microsoft have worked out a lot of bugs in Windows 7 as to its previous version Windows Vista.
A little thing I like to add to this is that I have tested GTA IV PC on my system, running it at the same graphics I had for vista. I was playing the game at a constant 31.5 FPS (Frames Per Second) through the benchmark test. Running Windows 7 and testing the Benchmark again with the same settings as before, I have staggered up to 37.1 FPS. So just under 7fps I have gained out of my game. Its not bad but its not noticable at the same time so you cannot get any satifaction from it except your game will run smoother than before.
Here are the Benchmark test results from both operating systems as I kept the text file from the Vista test.
Windows Vista (SP1) - GTA IV Benchmark Test
Statistics
Average FPS: 31.55
Duration: 37.50 sec
CPU Usage: 95%
System memory usage: 63%
Video memory usage: 56%
Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1280 x 1024 (75 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Render Quality: High
View Distance: 40
Detail Distance: 40
Hardware
Microsoft® Windows Vista" Ultimate
Service Pack 1
Video Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Video Driver version: 7.14.10.630
Audio Adapter: Speakers (Sennheiser USB Headset)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz
File ID: benchmark.cli
Windows 7 Beta (Version 7000) - GTA IV Benchmark Test
Statistics
Average FPS: 37.67
Duration: 37.46 sec
CPU Usage: 94%
System memory usage: 60%
Video memory usage: 79%
Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 1280 x 1024 (75 Hz)
Texture Quality: Medium
Texture Filter Quality: High
View Distance: 40
Detail Distance: 40
Hardware
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
Video Adapter: ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2
Video Driver version: 8.14.10.655
Audio Adapter: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6750 @ 2.66GHz
File ID: benchmark.cli
So if you want it, Go get it
You do not want to get it, Don't CENSORED at me! |
Check me out on Youtube
www.youtube.com/themudkiphut |
Modified Apr 12th, 10:14am by Spikey2005 |
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| RED-FROG |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 11:40am | |
L4Y Resident
Post 4337 / 5258
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I didn't read anything but hello folks, but actually I don't think there are any reviews to make of Windows7.
Every Windows user will grab it sooner or later anyway.
If they don't.. they would have to stick with the latest one of their likes.. Windows XP. It can't be Vista because Windows7 will much closer to what Vista already is, just better.
I am skipping Vista on purpose, kinda laughing at the Vista users with all their problems, coming to me while I have no idea about that piece of crap.
If I were you, I'd be careful with the beta. It's sending a lot data back home for diagnostics and error correction. How much data is not really known by you though.
I'd only install it on a 2nd PC that I rarely use for "for testing purposes only. build 7000" 
I don't really want to believe the benchmarks you did. For a beta you usually cannot expect performance improvements at all. Usually it's the opposite and will then improve later on in final stage. But if it's true, then good.
By the way your CPU is extremly breaking your system. The HD3870x2 is way overpowered. In GTA4 you will most likely get the same fps with a 8800 (singlecore) or lower. (keeping in mind that the settings are not extremly high on AA and AF of course - that wouldn't be the point) The gpu is too idle in GTA4. But your benchmarks has probably just shown that Windows7 has a better CPU management |
| ¤ MARS WARS 3! - Red Faction revamped on the unreal engine. Superiority ¤ |
Modified Apr 12th, 11:41am by RED-FROG |
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sobe  |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 4:38pm |
Post 3054 / 3194
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Windows 7 Beta has already proven that there IS an FPS increase. In fact I believe Anandtech did a review on Win7 Beta compared to Vista in games.
I absolutely love Win7 Beta, only reason I am not using right now is due to no virtual drive emulation support for like nearly all my games that I have backed up on a spare hard drive. |
| "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a dozen, because some bakers would view a dozen as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 |
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| Spikey2005 |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 5:33pm | |
L4Y Member
Post 1249 / 2126
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Ahh that will explain why Alcohol 120% wont work then... hmm.
But anyways, interesting fact from you red frog about my graphics card, but bare in mind, the benchmark test did not specify my CPU being overclocked to 3.12GHz and I could possibly go higher with it if I sat and spent the time over clocking it.
I havent had time to do so as of yet. Also, im happy with my Dual core graphics card and I shall always will be at this moment in time... You got to remember that there might be better GFX cards being made at this point, but back then, I bought this card when it came out and in its time, it was a good GFX... now there are better cards coming out and there will always be better cards coming out... Why sit for a good GFX card to come out... its like asking me not to buy a GFX card until the "ULTIMATE" GFX card comes out that no other company will beat. Does not work like that. You buy a card that is currently fast at its time of release but all gamers as such as your self will know that a better one comes out after it, but we buy them anyways.
Im not really bothered about the data being transferred to microsoft about my computer. It gives them a helping hand since my rig is a gaming computer and I play rough edge games with high performance requirements, might actually make them work a little harder into making Windows 7 the ultimate OS for gaming...
Only time will tell on that one . |
Check me out on Youtube
www.youtube.com/themudkiphut |
Modified Apr 12th, 05:36pm by Spikey2005 |
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| RED-FROG |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 5:56pm | |
L4Y Resident
Post 4340 / 5258
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yea *cough* sobes backups *cough* doesn't work anylonger.
How about using the originals, sobe? Those always work.
Backups may only exist in the presence of originals. Otherwise they are no backups...  LOL
Plus, you can always burn them on DVD.
---
Well, and Spikey, it was just a heads up on how you could dramatically improve PC performance before you try anything else.  I did not want to talk bad about the gfx card, because I'm sure it rocks. Has enough power for just any title out there.
I also have to upgrade my CPU. I can sometimes see this in UT3. While the graphics card isn't completely loaded, the CPU breaks the game because of some high performances actually. And of course in GTA4 nothing but a good (quad-) CPU is important. |
| ¤ MARS WARS 3! - Red Faction revamped on the unreal engine. Superiority ¤ |
Modified Apr 12th, 06:04pm by RED-FROG |
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| sobe |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 6:45pm |
Post 3055 / 3194
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haha, I dont have them on my file server anymore
I've got them backed up on a spare 160GB, 120GB, and 80GB hard drives in a computer sitting in the other room on my network. And these are ones that I DO have originals to btw The disks are actually in a cd case on a shelf behind me. But why go through having to use 2 - 5 CDs or DVDs when you can virtualize it all? Faster and easier ^^ |
| "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a dozen, because some bakers would view a dozen as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 |
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| Spikey2005 |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 7:03pm | |
L4Y Member
Post 1250 / 2126
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Im planning on upgrading my CPU too at some point . Gonna try for a Quad Core and see if I can get any decent FPS out of GTA IV since I read in a computer article that tweaking with your CPU or upgrading it will improve the performance of the game.
Im quite happy with what im getting so far, but I want to see if its possible to get the Texture quality to High or Very High... |
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| RED-FROG |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 8:05pm | |
L4Y Resident
Post 4341 / 5258
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Texture quality doesn't depend on cpu (at all). In GTA4 that's limited to your graphics memory. But you can dodge this limitation by some tricks I've posted on NM and set everything to maximum.
And yes, no other game but GTA4 has such an huge performance boost with quad cores.
First game ever that's been like that - but that doesn't mean it's a good thing.
I'm also absolutely happy with my CPU atm. I was picky on that UT3 thing. (I usually get my capped 60fps on all maximum)
But I also want to upgrade at some point just because...well it'll become even better. xD
Probably would have done already only if my gfx didn't break. grr. Oh well..meanwhile I think CPUs become much cheaper.
Do you think ppl buy broken HD4870s on ebay? LOL (I seriously search for that now ) |
| ¤ MARS WARS 3! - Red Faction revamped on the unreal engine. Superiority ¤ |
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| sobe |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 8:31pm |
Post 3056 / 3194
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If you are looking for a new CPU step up soon, around September of this year the i5 lineup should be released by Intel, as the "Mainstream" version of the i7. |
| "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a dozen, because some bakers would view a dozen as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 |
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| Spikey2005 |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 11:05pm | |
L4Y Member
Post 1251 / 2126
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Ah yes, me and my dad had a great lenghy discussion about the i7. not heard about the i5? going to look that up now. |
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| RED-FROG |
Posted 12th Apr 2009 11:19pm | |
L4Y Resident
Post 4342 / 5258
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Mmh i7 too expensive for now. Phenom II x4 is much cheaper.
..yea I just made myself a cpu/mobo combo for next month. lol
I know the i7 is better and sutff, but it's also more expensive, and also requires more expensive other hardware.
I just had a really quick look and two products looked interesting:
AMD Phenom II X4 920 for only around 160€ (better would be 940be, 190€)
MSI K9A2 Neo-F for only around 50-60€
where i7 STARTS at 250€.. next 270€...next 550€ (so you see, the 250 one can only be crap and is yet epxensive )
Those two things aren't even the price of the HiFi I put into my car few days ago, so whats the deal..PC hardware is damn cheap! And I bet that CPU has a lot more POWA than my actual one. It's a quad core afterall. (my current: Athlon x2 6000+)
There's no need to go for the cutting edge, because...to be honest...I don't really need to upgrade at all...everything works more than great, and you know I have all da games.
In theory that phenom quad core compared to mine is +100%.  |
| ¤ MARS WARS 3! - Red Faction revamped on the unreal engine. Superiority ¤ |
Modified Apr 12th, 11:48pm by RED-FROG |
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| sobe |
Posted 13th Apr 2009 1:25am |
Post 3057 / 3194
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Well actually the cheapest Core i7, which is the 920 is probably the most purchased due to its rather still high overclockability (hitting 4GHz+ regularly).
But also keep this in mind.. i5 will have a built in PCI-E controller. So that takes load off the north bridge chipset on your motherboard. So essentially things should run smoother, especially in benchmarks, games, etc. |
| "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a dozen, because some bakers would view a dozen as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 |
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| KILLER |
Posted 13th Apr 2009 6:38am |
Post 1442 / 1723
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Windows 7 doesn't like my Nvidia GeForce 7600 very much, but I do notice the FPS change. I have Windows 7 on all my PC's now and I am in love! Vista blows imo, but Windows 7 definitely optimized my computer graphically better than Vista did, using less CPU percentage etc. I would recommend this, BUT, from what I heard through the grapevine (i.e. multiple forums), the BETA will EXPIRE IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR (2009). So if you decide to get this, make sure you have your original OS install, or you will be SCREWED.  |
| P.L.U.R.Peace-Love-Unity-Respect |
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| sobe |
Posted 13th Apr 2009 6:43am |
Post 3058 / 3194
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| Quoting KILLER | | Windows 7 doesn't like my Nvidia GeForce 7600 very much, but I do notice the FPS change. I have Windows 7 on all my PC's now and I am in love! Vista blows imo, but Windows 7 definitely optimized my computer graphically better than Vista did, using less CPU percentage etc. I would recommend this, BUT, from what I heard through the grapevine (i.e. multiple forums), the BETA will EXPIRE IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR (2009). So if you decide to get this, make sure you have your original OS install, or you will be SCREWED. |
Down the grapevine? It's in the beta agreement.... <.< Geez what a nooooob! |
| "Apparently, Plaintiff believes that he could sue an egg company for fraud for labeling a carton of 12 eggs a dozen, because some bakers would view a dozen as including 13 items." - Western Digital 2006 |
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| Beatonator |
Posted 13th Apr 2009 1:59pm |
Post 3038 / 3716
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| Quoting sobe | | It's in the beta agreement.... <.< Geez what a nooooob! |
Next, next, finish...
LOL!
My Programming tutor once said to me, Networking is easy. "Next, Next, Finish", a couple of months later we all had to give presentations on various different things, one guy did a VPN setup tutorial... literally was Next, Next, Finish. HAHA Hilarious! |
Trying to find old players. Anyone about? Drop me a PM or reply to this thread:
>Link< (or head over to RFrun.net's comment section!) |
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| KILLER |
Posted 13th Apr 2009 4:49pm |
Post 1444 / 1723
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| Quoting sobe | | Quoting KILLER | | Windows 7 doesn't like my Nvidia GeForce 7600 very much, but I do notice the FPS change. I have Windows 7 on all my PC's now and I am in love! Vista blows imo, but Windows 7 definitely optimized my computer graphically better than Vista did, using less CPU percentage etc. I would recommend this, BUT, from what I heard through the grapevine (i.e. multiple forums), the BETA will EXPIRE IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR (2009). So if you decide to get this, make sure you have your original OS install, or you will be SCREWED. |
Down the grapevine? It's in the beta agreement.... <.< Geez what a nooooob! |
I did not read the agreement, just what I skimmed looking for a key. So in that respect.....nou. |
| P.L.U.R.Peace-Love-Unity-Respect |
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