I need some advice on Windows. I am helping a buddy build a system (mainly to run ARCA). I am undecided on which version of Windows to use. Should we jump to Vista or just stick with XP? And also do we go ahead and get the 64-bit version or just stay with 32-bit? It will have a 64-bit CPU.

For gaming your best bet is to go with XP Pro 32 bit version. You'll have the fewest headaches in the long run with XP Pro. Too many drivers issues yet to be resolved with Vista and 64 bit versions, and few games actually written for those OS's.

If he's building a new system, I would say Vista. Any worry about drivers is a load of crap, to put it lightly, especially for a new motherboard. Heck, my 3 year old 939 socket has drivers for it. While, yes it will run faster on XP, the differences are not noticeable and he's better off saving his money in the long run, rather than buying an OS that won't be supported soon.

As for 64 bit, its still unnecessary at this point. So really, the primary reason to get it would be to allow for more than 4gigs of ram. Then again, 4 gigs would be overkill for ARCA Sim anyhow.

What Chip said.

I would say dual boot, I have three windows XP, XP64 and Vista ultimate 64, and for pleasure i have Mandriva 2008 64. I use all for different things, I use XP(32) for GTR2 as my wheel (Porsche 911 Turbo) is not supported in xp 64/ Vista 64. I use Vista as I am a techy and need to know how it works for work, I used to use XP 64 for GTR2 and everything else as it is quite well supported and is faster than both of the other Windows.

Mandriva is just the best of all for all work, internet use and just for the shear pleasure of a great OS. Dual boot with XP and Vista 64 and you cannot go too wrong. Install XP first otherwise you will have problems dual booting as XP does not see Vista, obviously because Vista is brand new.

Good luck.

Well we have talked and talked about it between ourselves and with a few people here at work (One of which has used all of the above and has recently switched back to XP Pro 32-bit). After talking to the guy that has used all of them he decided to stick with XP Pro 32-bit for now. He will be mainly using this system for racing (ARCA and maybe rFactor) and also Flight Sim X.

Thanks guys for the comments.

Flight Sim X has been updated with DirectX 10 with its SP2 update, giving it better performance and more effects. Stuck with DirectX 9 with XP.

I have Vista x64 and have no problems...

Only problem I've come across with Vista (32) and nVidia is the lack of custom resolution support, meaning I can't run native. Apart from that, no fps issues or CTD's with only modest hardware.

I switched from Vista and saw a 10-20% fps improvement. the best thing though was the feel in the wheel. I don't think my usb was working right with vista, but now my g25 feels new again. I had to reset all the settings. Drivers, usb sample rate, I dunno but now it is perfect.