Windows 8 and Gaming

[lillebusy]

I'm in the process of collecting pieces for a new gaming build and am down to just a few pieces now, one of which is the operating system. I'm running a gaming desktop with XP (with disks) and a laptop with Windows 7 on it (no disks).

It looks like there is a great deal to upgrade xp -> Windows 8 at the moment for $40. I've been trying to find out more about Windows 8 and games, but threads seem to dwell mostly on interface and clicking issues. I like 7 on my laptop and would prefer to buy another one all things being equal, but if 7 is $100 and 8 will be $40 for me the picture looks a bit different.

Has anyone had any trouble with gaming under Windows 8?

Does anyone have a large library of legacy games on Steam or hard media that has installed and tried a bunch of them on Windows 8?

I know there was some rumor mongering (started by Gabe?) going on about Win8 and gaming, but is there any better evidence of upcoming problems?

I think I can handle learning a new interface, but I really don't want any problems with running old games that Win7 will run happily.

 

[txus.palacios]

I have had no troubles gaming, in fact, I've benchmarked both OSes and the difference was in the limits of uncertainty (1-2fps). I've tried a lot of benchmarks, and games from Doom 3 to Skyrim, including Crysis and Crysis 2.

The only problem is that Metro UI without a touch screen == POS.

Gaben won't stop supporting Windows. No need to worry.

 

[joedymueller]

There are some games that do not work well with 8. I have yet to get Hitman Sniper Challenge to work.

but for the most part, i think they OS is so close to 7 most games should work without issue.

Also Start Menu X.

adds start button to windows 8 acts mostly the same way as the "old school" windows 7.

I have yet to go to the metro menu.

 

[lillebusy]

I have had no troubles gaming, in fact, I've benchmarked both OSes and the difference was in the limits of uncertainty (1-2fps). I've tried a lot of benchmarks, and games from Doom 3 to Skyrim, including Crysis and Crysis 2.

The only problem is that Metro UI without a touch screen == POS.

Gaben won't stop supporting Windows. No need to worry.

Its reassuring to hear that games like Doom3 will still work nicely. I understand that Metro is not popular, but that some people have managed to use Win8 without using Metro (maybe with addons?).

 

[lillebusy]

There are some games that do not work well with 8. I have yet to get Hitman Sniper Challenge to work.

but for the most part, i think they OS is so close to 7 most games should work without issue.

Also Start Menu X.

adds start button to windows 8 acts mostly the same way as the "old school" windows 7.

I have yet to go to the metro menu.

What other games have you found (or heard) don't work? I'd hate to see an old favorite die (like SimCity 4 Deluxe, XCOM, etc.)

 

[joedymueller]

i have not reisntalled Sim City 4 Deluxe yet. but i hope it works.

 

[lillebusy]

Since there were no horror stories about Steam libraries not working with Windows 8, I've made the jump.

I would have been happy with Windows 7, but I'm putting together a new build and would like to sell off the old system intact and so the price of a fresh install was the driving factor for me (once I assumed Win8 and gaming were compatible).

Staples has a pre-order for what they call Windows 8 Pro Full which I got for $45 with a coupon. I'm pretty sure I would have had to pay double that for Windows 7 and it would likely have been OEM to boot.

Thank you to those that offered their insight.

 

[ssjwizard]

The biggest issue I had with Win 8 was for some reason about 1/2 the time It wouldn't load my nVidia driver correctly at boot time and I had to restart to fix it. Other than that all my games pretty much play the same.