Changing from Windows 7 can influence game performance.
Changing from Windows 7 can influence game performance.
I built a gaming PC a few months ago and started using Windows 7 since I didn’t want to stick with Windows 8. But I’ve heard games run better on Windows 8.1, and with Windows 10 coming soon, I’m weighing an upgrade to 8.1 mainly because the switch from 8.1 to 10 is free. Does this make sense for a machine mostly used for gaming?
Certainly, some applications might perform more efficiently with DirectX 11.2.
It does, though you might not see it. Windows 8.1 offers a distinct look, and many prefer it with ClassicStart.
It aids startup speed and memory consumption on many devices, though significant gains require hardware upgrades.
I assembled my machine in October (except the GPUs came this spring) and downloaded Windows 8. After some friends played games on it, they claimed it ran smoother than their similar hardware with 7… even though I was using Intel’s built-in graphics. I really enjoy Windows 8.1… it has its shortcomings like any OS, but if I didn’t like it, I made sure everything was hackintosh-friendly. I haven’t considered switching to OS X either. Windows 8 actually changed my experience—it gave me better performance and stability compared to Mountain Lion and Parallels for certain apps. For the Start menu, I’ve only tried a few alternatives but still favor Stardock’s Start 8. On day one I downloaded the trial, then paid for the full version the next day. Back in my late 90s/early 2000s, I used to have blinds or something similar… they still have great wallpaper choices. But I’ve moved on from that era. Most folks don’t notice they’re running Windows 8 until I mention it. Oh, but the Microsoft account hassle is frustrating—I either switch to a live account or sign in with MSN every time I open an app in the store. I no longer use Hotmail; that feels like a relic from the 90s. ;-) My take: it’s faster, smoother, more robust… whatever the Olympics say.