Hi, this is my first post. I joined PCHF because I'm ordering a new PC from PCSPECIALIST.CO.UK - Custom PCs, Custom Computers, Custom PC, Custom Built Computers, Gaming PC. I've selected Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit for my OS, but I'm not sure if this will meet my requirements (specifically for gaming ). I've read around the web and found various inconclusive answers to queries and qualms I have about my new OS, so I'll put them here and hope for some answers

Before I begin, I'm sorry if some of my questions have already been answered, but really I'm wanting answers specific to my situation. Also, I'm planning to get six games (as I have £50 spare ):

- Crysis
- The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind GOTY Edition (I also have Oblivion)
- Star Wars Battlefront 1 (an old favourite, better than 2, imo)
- EITHER: Halo 2 or Unreal Tournament 2004/3 (On a side note, some advice as to which to get might be helpful )
- Assassin's Creed
- Battlefield 2: The Complete Collection

If they apply, could answers please relate to these games I've listed, such as compatibilty etc.

1) 32-bit vs. 64-bit: An often asked question, I'm sure (again, I'm sorry if this has already been covered). I've heard about Wow64, how it comes with every 64-bit OS and how it emulates a 32-bit system (so as to allow 32-bit applications to run properly).
- Will Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit run my list of games without difficulty? If no, what can I do?
- Is it worth downgrading to 32-bit to play older games but damage the future-proofing of my PC? I'm not exactly an old-school gamer, so I probably wouldn't play much with a release date of pre-2000.

2) Windows 7 Premium vs. Professional: Probably another common question. I would be willing to upgrade my OS to Pro for around £20 more, but is it worth it? I would mainly upgrade for the ability to run in XP mode, which would hopefully run older games more stably.
- If I get 64-bit Professional, does XP mode also run in 64-bit, or can it run in 32-bit? Does it matter?
- Will some games that run in XP mode be unable to play in 7? Can you change settings in 7 to alter this?

Oh. Turns out I only had to ask two questions. In the middle of writing this it turns out my dad changed the order to Pro 64-bit anyway (Had to put that smiley in ). Still, answers would be very much appreciated, to put my mind at ease.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the unnecessary length of this post. Its kind of this perfectionsist mindset I have...

Arachnidias

Hello Arachnidias and welcome to the PCHF

We have various members here,along with our Tech's and gamers who can give advice to your questions..........thanks for your patience



Vger

Thanks vger.

...

...Bump?



Arachnidias

Okay. I think the lack of replies is down to your asking people to be too precise.

So here's a vague, partial reply.
I do not believe that XP Mode will run 3d games at all.
If your looking for compatibility with older games then 32bit would be a better choice, if you want future proofing then 64bit. If your hardware is top-notch then I would go for 64bit for modern games/apps.

PCSPECIALISTS
My brother bought a top end custom built gaming unit from them last year.
2 fans broke within the first couple of months and he was immediately shipped replacements without returning the old ones.
The ram ordered with the PC was not fully compatible with the motherboard. He has not contacted about this but even after 12months and 5 bios updates and loosening the ram timings, he still cannot play games.

Yeah sorry about that. As I say, I'm kind of perfectionist. Also I've been researching this for a while and getting incomplete answers, so I thought I'd try and sort it all out, down to the smallest detail, in one post. I won't try that again .

Well PCSpecialist has won awards for quality and reliability, so I'm reasonably reassured. Anyway, there's a one year warranty, so I'm ok. For comparison, just look at reviews for MESH... *shudders*

Yeah I will mainly aim for more modern games. As I say, though, I will be looking to play games from, say, 2002. I'm not sure if they are Vista/7 compatible (probably not), but I was hoping Wow64 would cover that. XP Mode won't even run games? So it's just applications/programs? Oh well, I'll find a way to make it work

So here's my main query, then:

Will the 6 games listed run on Windows 7 64-bit Pro without problems?

That's slightly more concise, I think.

Arachnidias

Hello Arachnidas!

I cannot fully answer your question but I can tell you from personal experience that Halo 2 and Crysis work fine on Windows 7 Ultimate without having to use compatibility mode

Smokeycheech

Thanks, smokey,

I'm afraid I probably wasn't entirely accurate, I'm pretty sure that Crysis and Halo 2 are Vista/7 64-bit compatible. I mean, Halo 2 was released exclusively for Vista (and now 7), and if Crysis wasn't made compatible with7 then what can be?

I was referring more to the older games, released for XP and 32-bit (specifically Star Wars Battlefront and Morrowind). I'm worried they won't run on 7 64-bit.

SO... I'll revise my query AGAIN ()

Will the older games on my list of 6, such as The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind be compatible with Windows 7 Professional 64-bit?

Thanks,

Arachnidias