Which Windows version is best?
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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
Which Windows version is best?
I'm having a new PC built, and the final decision now is which Windows version to use, along with my MOTU Ultralite Mk3. I've been using Windows XP Pro for years now - is that the most stable version for use with MOTU interfaces? Or is it better to go with the latest Windows 7, and if so, which version of that?
Gigabyte H55M-UD2H, Intel Core i7 860 @ 2800 MHz, 4096 MB (2 x 2048 DDR3-SDRAM )
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Soundcard : MOTU Ultralite Mk-3, Sonar : Studio 7.0
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Soundcard : MOTU Ultralite Mk-3, Sonar : Studio 7.0
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FMiguelez
- Posts: 8266
- Joined: Sun Oct 24, 2004 10:01 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: Body: Narco-México Soul/Heart: NYC
Re: Which Windows version is best?
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If you are going to start from scratch, I'd go for whatever the latest Windows version is.
But the most important thing is that you are sure that whatever VIs or DAW you will use are totally supported by the Windows version you choose, so you won't run into ugly surprises.
I am trying SO hard to not make a Windoze-related remark... but I don't want to annoy you, so I'll bite my tongue. Ouch! It's bleeding now!
What are you planning on installing in that machine anyway? I'd make a list and visit each manufacturer's website to see the system requirements, and decide based on that.
It's been a while since I stopped following Windows' developments, but do they still have like 100 versions of each version? I remember it got pretty confusing dealing with Windows XX edition, Home edition, professional edition, enterprise edition, 64-bit edition, small edition, amateur edition, girl edition, etc.
Good luck!
If you are going to start from scratch, I'd go for whatever the latest Windows version is.
But the most important thing is that you are sure that whatever VIs or DAW you will use are totally supported by the Windows version you choose, so you won't run into ugly surprises.
I am trying SO hard to not make a Windoze-related remark... but I don't want to annoy you, so I'll bite my tongue. Ouch! It's bleeding now!
What are you planning on installing in that machine anyway? I'd make a list and visit each manufacturer's website to see the system requirements, and decide based on that.
It's been a while since I stopped following Windows' developments, but do they still have like 100 versions of each version? I remember it got pretty confusing dealing with Windows XX edition, Home edition, professional edition, enterprise edition, 64-bit edition, small edition, amateur edition, girl edition, etc.
Good luck!
Mac Mini Server i7 2.66 GHs/16 GB RAM / OSX 10.14 / DP 9.52
Tascam DM-24, MOTU Track 16, all Spectrasonics' stuff,
Vienna Instruments SUPER PACKAGE, Waves Mercury, slaved iMac and Mac Minis running VEP 7, etc.
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"In physics the truth is rarely perfectly clear, and that is certainly universally the case in human affairs. Hence, what is not surrounded by uncertainty cannot be the truth." ― Richard Feynman
Tascam DM-24, MOTU Track 16, all Spectrasonics' stuff,
Vienna Instruments SUPER PACKAGE, Waves Mercury, slaved iMac and Mac Minis running VEP 7, etc.
---------------------------
"In physics the truth is rarely perfectly clear, and that is certainly universally the case in human affairs. Hence, what is not surrounded by uncertainty cannot be the truth." ― Richard Feynman
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billruys
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:13 pm
- Primary DAW OS: MacOS
- Location: New Zealand
- Contact:
Re: Which Windows version is best?
FMiguelez is right when he suggests that the first thing you should check is the compatibility of your software with the latest version of Windows (Windows 7) first.
I'm running MOTU PCIe-424 based interfaces in Windows 7 64-bit with absolutely no issues. I'm running the current 64-bit version of Sonar as my DAW, but even an old version of Adobe Audition is running OK.
Windows 7 seems to be very stable for me. It matches if not surpasses Windows XP as a good DAW platform and it's better than Vista was.
As this is a new build for you - you get the chance to try out Windows 7 and roll back to XP if it doesn't work well for you.
I'm running MOTU PCIe-424 based interfaces in Windows 7 64-bit with absolutely no issues. I'm running the current 64-bit version of Sonar as my DAW, but even an old version of Adobe Audition is running OK.
Windows 7 seems to be very stable for me. It matches if not surpasses Windows XP as a good DAW platform and it's better than Vista was.
As this is a new build for you - you get the chance to try out Windows 7 and roll back to XP if it doesn't work well for you.
Re: Which Windows version is best?
Thanks - I took the Windows 7 64-bit. I will see how it goes.
Gigabyte H55M-UD2H, Intel Core i7 860 @ 2800 MHz, 4096 MB (2 x 2048 DDR3-SDRAM )
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Soundcard : MOTU Ultralite Mk-3, Sonar : Studio 7.0
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit, Soundcard : MOTU Ultralite Mk-3, Sonar : Studio 7.0
Re: Which Windows version is best?
+1 for windows 7! i see a slight performance drop in w7 compared to a stripped xp build, not sure if thats down to OS resource usage or drivers that aren't as optimised. the OS easily makes up for it in ease of use and sensible developments from older windows os's tho.