Windows 7

[Andy_M]

I'd like to ditch Vista and upgrade to Windows 7.

I should hopefully be getting a bit of a tax rebate in the next months paypacket. Seeing as I didn't get a Vista disc with my pc when I bought it a year ago I assume I would need to get the full version of Windows 7 Home Premium just to be on the safe side. Or do you think I could get away with just the upgrade ?

Will also be on the lookout for a new graphics card (am running the extremely underpowered Geforce GT 9500 atm) and a new psu, more about those later when I find out how much the government owes me.

[Bagsabbis]

You shouldn't need it for an upgrade as long as you have an activated copy of a previous Windows version installed.  So I guess you may run into problems if you need to do a complete re-install at some stage, although if you have a copy of XP you should be ok.  If the worst comes to the worst I have a couple of Vista disks, can always send you one - you should be able to use your product key with it.

It's interesting to note that they have relaxed the OEM hardware rules again though, so basically a copy will only complete lock you out if you replace the motherboard.

[Andy_M]

Excellent, thats 20 quid or so I can put towards a graphics card/psu combo.

Any reccomendations ? Reckon I'll have a budget of about 110 or so for the card, the one I have at the moment is pretty underpowered.

[Bagsabbis]

Hmm, that's not much to go on cash wise.  Budget card wise there doesn't seem much to choose between Nvidia and ATi.  The newer ATi 5000 budget cards don't seem to offer much in a performance boost.  You could try to get an Nvidia GT250, but they have been 'end of life' for a while now whilst their "Fermi" replacements have been delayed and delayed.  Might be difficult to find.  You would be advised to shop around anyway, as prices for the same cards fluctuate wildly between etailers at the mo.

Other than that the ATi 4770 and 4850's are good performers.  Be aware that if Nvidia does meet their Fermi release at the end of this month, it might see ATi cutting prices on some of it's cards.  But there are a lot of "if", "buts", and "maybes" there...

[Andy_M]

Are graphics cards that expensive then nowadays ? Not bought one for ages.

[madameye]

I'm still using a 4850 and it's doing a fine job. I'm sure you can get them now for £80 (or even less from some dodgy suppliers).

[Andy_M]

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/graphics-cards/247521/nvidia-geforce-9500-gt

Thats my current card.


I might have more to spend, depends how big my rebate is, I will need to get a psu as well, what are they - about 50 quid ?

[madameye]

To power something like a 4850 is a minimum spec of 450w psu (I think) which I reckon you can get for around the £30 mark?

[Andy_M]

Cheers for the help, first things first. New operating system is the first priority, mainly because I can afford it before I get my rebate  Now I've been looking around and Amazon and Play have it for about 69-70 quid. Seen it cheaper but it's only the starter edition upgrade. Or the N version, whatever that is.

[Bagsabbis]

GFC-00026 is the product code you want for the Home Premium upgrade version.  Had a quick look around and cheapest I could find were Currys/Dixons/PCWorld who have it for a few pence under £65.

[Andy_M]

I found it at pc world for 70 quid.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-03612469-pdt.html

[Bagsabbis]

Hmm, bugger, so it is - must have misread the price 

[Andy_M]

Never mind, I might be able to save a few squid once it's light tomorrow and I can check out the power rating in the psu for my old pc, which at the time I bought it was quite pricey.

[Andy_M]

Is this still good for modern pc's ? Box says it's 600watts and has pci-e power connectors and all that.

[Bagsabbis]

That's a big NO!

Try one of these instead!  Not sure how much you are looking to pay, but seen good reviews about this one.