Gaming on Windows 7?

archeryguy1701 · June 20 2010, 02:57 AM

I've recently gotten a free copy of Windows 7 for a class, and have been seriously thinking about installing it on my main computer. I've toyed with it a little bit in a Virtual PC and have really liked it so far, but I have one very important question:

How is gaming on Win7?

Has anyone here gamed on 7? I really want to make the switch, but since playing games is one of my major activities, I don't want to switch over and then find that there are major compatibility issues or if a lot of games won't work. I've found a few industry reviews that are talk favorably about it, but I haven't found many gaming reviews from actual users. So what say you guys? Make the upgrade to Win7 or should I stick with Vista?

firehawk12 · June 20 2010, 03:06 AM

I haven't noticed any huge compatibility issues and some people think it has less of a footprint than Vista for what that's worth.

Mr. Adventure · June 20 2010, 03:07 AM

I don't know about gaming but at work it seems to me that Win7 is quite compatible with Vista. Everything we've thrown at it in testing suggests so at least. I'd be more leery if you were going from XP.

firehawk12 · June 20 2010, 03:22 AM

And actually, in 7 Pro you can run an entire virtualized version of XP if you really want to.

clint g · June 20 2010, 05:47 AM

I've been gaming on windows 7 for a while now and the only issues I've had have been with older games, such as the original fallout games

Kelthaz · June 20 2010, 05:56 AM

Windows 7 is pretty much a functional version of Vista. There's no reason not to upgrade.

CaptJimboJones · June 23 2010, 10:43 PM

I recently upgraded and have been able to play Crysis, Flight Simulator X and a few older games (Doom 3, Darkstar One) with no problem at all.

CorporalClegg · June 23 2010, 10:57 PM

Kelthaz wrote:

Windows 7 is pretty much a functional version of Vista. There's no reason not to upgrade.

Functional or functioning?

Sparky · June 24 2010, 09:03 AM

I've noticed that gaming is faster on Win 7 than it was with Vista. That also extends to the entire operating system itself though. Vista in every aspect is a dog compared to Win 7.

John Clark · June 24 2010, 04:52 PM

I've only had two issues so far with Win7 (64) and games.

Gears of War says it's not compatible but I haven't tried to force the issue. Bioshock has had an audio issue (no sound at all), but was ok with XP.

All the other games I've played have been fine and one has even been faster than on XP, but that is probably down to having extra memory now.

Sparky · June 25 2010, 12:26 AM

John Clark wrote:

I've only had two issues so far with Win7 (64) and games.

Gears of War says it's not compatible but I haven't tried to force the issue. Bioshock has had an audio issue (no sound at all), but was ok with XP.

All the other games I've played have been fine and one has even been faster than on XP, but that is probably down to having extra memory now.

Bioshock works perfectly fine for me. No audio issues at all on Win7. Have you tried running GoW in Vista or XP compatibility mode?

John Clark · June 25 2010, 08:12 PM

Sparky wrote:

Bioshock works perfectly fine for me. No audio issues at all on Win7. Have you tried running GoW in Vista or XP compatibility mode?

Not yet, but it is on my list of things to do. I've also got a few tips to try for Bioshock.

Given how it runs all the other games though, I'm fairly confident I can get them to run.

archeryguy1701 · June 26 2010, 01:58 AM

Well, Win7 is installed. I've only tried one game on it. I haven't noticed any big difference, but the big thing is that it works. I must admit that I like the rest of the OS though. I think I'm going to be happy with this change.

clint g · June 26 2010, 01:59 AM

Yeah, Windows 7 is pretty slick

Hitman · June 26 2010, 03:50 PM

Upgraded to 7 Ultimate sometime ago, and the gaming experience couldn't be better. Higher framerates, zero crash-to-desktop, and zero problems running old games (from 2000 even).

June 20 2010, 02:57 AM	#1
archeryguy1701 Rear Admiral Location: Cheyenne, WY	Gaming on Windows 7? I've recently gotten a free copy of Windows 7 for a class, and have been seriously thinking about installing it on my main computer. I've toyed with it a little bit in a Virtual PC and have really liked it so far, but I have one very important question: How is gaming on Win7? Has anyone here gamed on 7? I really want to make the switch, but since playing games is one of my major activities, I don't want to switch over and then find that there are major compatibility issues or if a lot of games won't work. I've found a few industry reviews that are talk favorably about it, but I haven't found many gaming reviews from actual users. So what say you guys? Make the upgrade to Win7 or should I stick with Vista? __________________ "If it weren't for stupid, difficult races, there'd simply be no point to living." Sometimes you just gotta roll the hard six- Bill Adama

June 20 2010, 03:06 AM	#2
firehawk12 Fleet Admiral Location: EXILE + ATTON = GUUUUUUSH!!!! (pic by aimo)	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I haven't noticed any huge compatibility issues and some people think it has less of a footprint than Vista for what that's worth. __________________ The best reason to watch Curling: Johnson Sisters! "How do you trust a nation that's invented Karate? They're standing there in their pajamas... then they kick you in the balls!"

June 20 2010, 03:07 AM	#3
Mr. Adventure Admiral Location: Mr. Adventure	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I don't know about gaming but at work it seems to me that Win7 is quite compatible with Vista. Everything we've thrown at it in testing suggests so at least. I'd be more leery if you were going from XP.

June 20 2010, 03:22 AM	#4
firehawk12 Fleet Admiral Location: EXILE + ATTON = GUUUUUUSH!!!! (pic by aimo)	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? And actually, in 7 Pro you can run an entire virtualized version of XP if you really want to. __________________ The best reason to watch Curling: Johnson Sisters! "How do you trust a nation that's invented Karate? They're standing there in their pajamas... then they kick you in the balls!"

June 20 2010, 05:47 AM	#5
clint g Admiral Location: Afghanistan	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I've been gaming on windows 7 for a while now and the only issues I've had have been with older games, such as the original fallout games __________________ It's nothing personal, just business

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June 20 2010, 05:56 AM	#6
Kelthaz Commodore Location: Toronto, Ontario	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? Windows 7 is pretty much a functional version of Vista. There's no reason not to upgrade. __________________ "Who are you?! And how did you get in here?!" "I'm the locksmith. And... I'm the locksmith."

June 23 2010, 10:43 PM	#7
CaptJimboJones Vice Admiral Location: Hotlanta	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I recently upgraded and have been able to play Crysis, Flight Simulator X and a few older games (Doom 3, Darkstar One) with no problem at all. __________________ "Do not fear mistakes. There are none." - Miles Davis

June 24 2010, 09:03 AM	#9
Sparky Commodore Location: Calgary, Alberta. Canuckistan	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I've noticed that gaming is faster on Win 7 than it was with Vista. That also extends to the entire operating system itself though. Vista in every aspect is a dog compared to Win 7.

June 24 2010, 04:52 PM	#10
John Clark Commodore Location: MacLaren's Bar	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? I've only had two issues so far with Win7 (64) and games. Gears of War says it's not compatible but I haven't tried to force the issue. Bioshock has had an audio issue (no sound at all), but was ok with XP. All the other games I've played have been fine and one has even been faster than on XP, but that is probably down to having extra memory now. __________________ If there's a justification for my actions right now, it's this: I have gone completely mad

June 26 2010, 01:58 AM	#13
archeryguy1701 Rear Admiral Location: Cheyenne, WY	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? Well, Win7 is installed. I've only tried one game on it. I haven't noticed any big difference, but the big thing is that it works. I must admit that I like the rest of the OS though. I think I'm going to be happy with this change. __________________ "If it weren't for stupid, difficult races, there'd simply be no point to living." Sometimes you just gotta roll the hard six- Bill Adama

June 26 2010, 01:59 AM	#14
clint g Admiral Location: Afghanistan	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? Yeah, Windows 7 is pretty slick __________________ It's nothing personal, just business

June 26 2010, 03:50 PM	#15
Hitman Vice Admiral Location: Terra infernus	Re: Gaming on Windows 7? Upgraded to 7 Ultimate sometime ago, and the gaming experience couldn't be better. Higher framerates, zero crash-to-desktop, and zero problems running old games (from 2000 even). __________________ "Work is the curse of the drinking classes." Oscar Wilde \| Star Trek: Unnamed \|