hi alli am thinking of upgrading my system but don't know whether to go with windows XP or Vista, what are your thoughts?

If the scope of your upgrade lays out a path to use DirectX 10, then I would go Vista. That would ensure your OS could use DX10.If the scope of your update is NOT considering any DX10 preparations, then I would probably go XP right now. Do this only if you *know* you will not be running DX10 on this PC down the road. DX10's advances and PRACTICAL improvements have yet to be seen, but if you are building a new computer, it's usually best not to "obsolete" yourself right out of the gate - with that in mind, and all other things being equal, I'd probably recommend Vista.

ok thanks, if i go the Vista route i would probably get a 'basic' GPU and then perhaps 12 months down the track get a 'monster' directX10 GPU?

You can get a "basic" DX10 GPU right now, for at little as $94.If you do other types of gaming, XP is still the way to go, as a lot of games are not jiving with vista to well, and performance in Vista is not as good at XP performance, for the most part.On the hardware forums I visit, many of the guys who rushed out to get vista have since unistalled it due to all the hassle of trying to get thier games working. A lot of guys are dual booting Vista and XP.

I agree with SolarEagle for the most part. It all depends on what else you do with your rig. Other than watching movies, slingbox, and regular productivity stuff, FSX is all I do and I know I'll move up to a good DX10 GPU once the FSX DX10 patch comes out, so Vista was the way ahead for me. I have no regrets. Yeah, you may need to keep a vigilant eye for driver updates but I believe most devices are usable within Vista at this point. As for FSX performance, I'm satisfied. The sim is very enjoyable at current fps and it will only get better here in about a week (supposedly). I say, move forward, go with Vista.

Clayton, my mate's tearing his hair out because of Vista.It just don't like games! His is high spec too.The biggest snoop program ever..................and don't even try to format your drive to replace it with XP because IT WON'T LET YOU.Talk about Big Brother?

It's not an either/or choice. You buy the hardware to suit DX10, but install XP for now. Later, when the DX10 is needed you just buy Vista. Couldn't be easier!Or slightly more complicated - specify a dual boot installation from the outset - most new PC's are automatically shipped with Vista, but as you obviously own a copy of XP all you do is load XP as a dual boot and install everything to that for now.Vista is still a POS as far as being a useful gaming tool is concerned but that can't last for ever. DX10 is Vista-only, so you will HAVE to switch at some point. No point buying a non-DX10-compliant hardware package today, when you might need it in six mionths time. But the only device that you need to be concerned about for DX10, apart from Vista itself, is the grpahic card. No-one in all seriousness would buy anything other than a Geforce 8-series card, or the new ATI DX-10 compatible range, as these also run DX9 and earlier based apps with greater speed, precision and display detail than ever before.Allcott

thanks guys for your inputs yes its a hard decision to make with regards to the software i initially was thinking sticking with XP.

by the way i will use this computer only for FS. FS9 initially maybe in 6 to 12 months i will move to FSX.

I wouldn't think twice. Go with WinXP for now. Vista badly needs, and will eventually get, a patch (or two) to correct many of the current problems. But, that's not goiong to happen soon. In the meantime, you'll be enjoying FS9 at it's best and can worry about Vista in the future when things have been fixed up a bit.Doug

> I wouldn't think twice. Go with WinXP for now. Vista>badly needs, and will eventually get, a patch (or two) to>correct many of the current problems. But, that's not goiong>to happen soon. In the meantime, you'll be enjoying FS9 at>it's best and can worry about Vista in the future when things>have been fixed up a bit.>>DougYep, thats about the size of it. And for FS9, XP is the way to go. BTW FS9 will NOT support DX10 retrospectively so it wouldn't matter if you installed Vista or not for a solus dedicated FS9 computer.Allcott

so if i buy a 8800 GPU and install XP all i need to do to upgrade to DirectX 10 all i need is to install Win Vista?

In essence, yes - DirectX 10 ships with and only works with Vista. :)

But if you're only going to use FS9 why go with Vista, or DX10 for that matter?

because in 12 months time i will move across to FSX, hopefully there will be some great addons by then LEvelD 767 and PMDG 737.regards