does vista slow down games?

hi i'm getting this new hp laptop soon with these stats:

* Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit)
* Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo Processor T7500 (2.20 GHz, 4 MB L2 Cache, 800MHz FSB)
* 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
* 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS - For Core 2 Duo Processors
* HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Webcam + Microphone
* Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 4965AGN Network Connection and Bluetooth(TM)
* FREE Upgrade to 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive from 120GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive!!
* SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-R/RW with Double Layer Support
* No TV Tuner w/remote control
* 12 Cell Lithium Ion Battery
* Microsoft(R) Works 9.0
* HP Home & Home Office Store in-box envelope

and someone told me vista makes games slow or hard to run and i found out I could get a dell inspiron 1520 with xp home and a 8600gt but with 2gb for 50 more bucks, would it be worth it to switch? It would be a big hassle for me but if the performance would be much better I would do it,

I was just wondering if anyone has a vista laptop with similar settings and can play games like CS source or WoW with medium-high settings with decent fps? I would also like to play COD4 and Crysis if anyone knows if my HP could play it decently?

thanks for any comments or opinions

 

Vista isn't really that much slower for games anymore as long as you install the updates. As far as gaming goes, CS Source and WoW will not be a problem for that card. I haven't played it, but CoD4 seems like it's well optimized so you might be able to play on low-medium settings, but don't expect a whole lot out of Crysis. I would be surprised if you could play it decently.

 

it would be worth the switch but not for vista but for the far more power gpu the 8600mgt

 

if u plan on gaming then get the inspiron.

 

what updates are you talking about? and like how much of a difference would it make do you think from 8400gs to 8600gt?

 

a large difference!!!!!

 

The difference is barely being able to play on low settings to being able top play on medium-high easily.

 

check the 3d mark scores if u want a comparsion

 

Remember, Vista is resource heavy. If you really want smooth gaming, downgrading to XP might improve the performance by a little.

 

all you people with like the Dell xps's, did you downgrade to xp? or are u playing games with vista still?

 

I saw a 20% to 30% difference between XP and Vista on my Fujitsu N 64640.

This was playing WoW, which isn't the hardest on video cards.

So yeah, Vista is a serious hit to performance for games.

Colin

 

i havnt experienced anything like that. the most is 3-4 fps

 

You cannot downgrade to xp because dell are being faggots and wont come out with the drivers on the resource cd. So no, im stuck with vista in my but for now lol.

how sad sad sad, i asked a xps person if they were gona come out with the drivers and they said most likely not.

 

u can. a person has all the drivers listed in a thread. search for it

 

From my experience, Vista's poor gaming performance was actually due to premature drivers. If the OP takes the time to install laptopvideo2go drivers, he will achieve a level of performance equal to that of XP.

 

oh well i'm planning on getting that inspiron 1520 with xp home which will ALSO have the 8600gt it should be a gaming beast, i can't wait

 

I`m gaming on Vista 64 just fine and performance is more than satisfying.

 

I have Vista on my Alienware and i have no problem at all playing any Games, except Crysis, can only play it on medium settings. Any higher and it starts to stutter. And on medium it doesn't look that amazing, alot of graphic fracturing long distance wise. (looking through binoculars or scoped weapons).

Still very playable but one of the main attractions to Crysis is its graphics, so as a result i dont enjoy the game at all that much.

Not quite sure if i can blame Vista on that, probably not.


But just pointing it out.


Using 2gb ddr2 ram btw.