Thinking of upgrading to windows 8.1

[N3rot0xin]

Been looking around, and i think it might be time for me to upgrade to windows 8.1 (from windows 7 ultimate). My initial reason was gaming, in particular BF4. Thats my main game of choice right now for PC, and lately I"m not happy with the performance. Upgrading to 8.1 would help with this, or so I'm told and thats what I"m here to inquire about. Not just in BF4 tho, but games in general. What are some of the advantages of running windows 8 over 7 for gaming? And is it worth it for every other aspect of day to day computer usage? I've been reluctant to upgrade because I hate change in my OS. I've been using windows 7 for a couple years now, and its now "mine" so to speak. Everything is how I like it, i know it and its comfortable for me to use. I also hate losing apps. There are some I only use once or twice, but I know when and where i'll need them and they're the kind of thing you forget about until you need them. Sure I could reset all of that after upgrading, but i dont *have* to if you know what I mean.. I guess i'm really asking is it really that worth the upgrade? I also dont want to deal with Metro, ever. So that also needs to be able to be eliminated. 

 

I run with dual screens (not set up in any kind of display group or multi monitor gaming, just two single screens and display fusion). Everything else about my rig is in my profile. 

[WoodenMarker]

8.1 performs a bit better for games and is a better OS overall if you fix the start menu and program associations. I really do appreciate the cleaner and sharper look along with the more robust task manager. 

[Just The Tips]

psst

wait for windows 10 next year

[thekeemo]

Skip it and go windows 10 using it right now I had some issues but turns out they were from a corrupt boot.img that I installed

[N3rot0xin]

psst

wait for windows 10 next year

 

 

Skip it and go windows 10 using it right now I had some issues but turns out they were from a corrupt boot.img that I installed.

 

The main reason I am considering upgrading is for performance. If windows 8.1 is better and worth it, reagardless of when windows 10 is available, I'll go for it. I dont want to wait to get the performance Im looking for.  

[VG Docs]

I recently uninstalled W7 and installed W8.1, here's the summary of my own experience, as a gamer:

 

The minimum frame rates, and smoothness of games & apps in general are amazing, with few issues. I use Classic Shell to navigate similarly to Windows 7, and I never use the Metro UI anymore, in fact it's closer to W7 than I thought it would be because of it. At first, there were issues such as a BSOD due to audio drivers, apps wouldn't open, my settings would always be reset to default, and crazy high HDD usages. However, I've since then fixed all these issues (which have shown up in just the past week). I think of the OS like this: When it works, it works extraordinarily well... however getting it to work can be a pain in the ass. I think it's worth the performance increase if you understand what you're getting into, and are willing to spend the time and effort fixing those initial issues. However, if you're satisfied with Windows 7 performance, it's not essential to upgrade.

[Geekazoid]

Psst.....wait for windows 10 next year.

Windows 10 FTW!

[Jey R.]

Windows 8.1 + classic shell = windows 10 in the making.

[Ryukrieger]

I suggest waiting for Windows 10 anyway since it's just about a year away.

Personally, I'm using 8.1 without any problem (of course with a start menu mod). Win 7 virtually has no problem right now, so get 10 once it's released to maximise your usage lifespan before the next OS upgrade.