XP upgrade to Vista or Win 7 question?

[Flyboymlc]

Hello, I am currently running XP, it is running fine. I see that Newegg.com has a promo, pre-buy Win 7 pro, for $99.00. I have been using Win 7 Beta, on a spare pc that I have, and I really like it. I want to purchase Win 7, for my main pc. I thought about buying the Pre-sale of Win 7, but I also found out at Newegg.com, I can go ahead and purchase Vista right now, and get a free coupon for Win 7, when it comes out.

http://promotions.newegg.com/Microsoft/Windows7/TG_OEM/index.html


What do you think is the best path, for upgrade or getting Windows 7? Should I go ahead, and buy Vista now? and if so, get the 32 bit, or 64 bit version? Or, just stick with XP, and install Win 7, when it comes out, later this year? I do understand, that I will have to install Win 7 from scratch, and reinstall all of my apps. Thank you for your help...I am just having a hard time, in deciding on what do to.

My system is.....

Intel Q6600 OC to 3.2 Ghz
Asus P5E Motherboard.
2 GIG Ram
EVGA GTX 275
WD 640 GB HD
XP Pro

P.S. I am also running FSX Sp2, which is also running fine.

[JSkorna]

Win 7 64bit when it comes out and skip Vista.

[Flyboymlc]

Hi Jim,
Thanks for the quick response. I went ahead, and pre ordered Win 7 Ultimate upgrade, from Newegg.com today. Do you think that will it will allow me to upgrade my XP system to Win 7 64-bit? Or will it upgrade my current XP 32 bit, to Win 7 32 bit? I am not sure, as what I have been reading at Microsoft's web site, it is un clear to me. Thank you.

[loki]

You can upgrade to the 64 bit version from 32 bit XP. It will definitely require a clean install.

[boubou]

What do you mean by clean install. If the win7 is an update I cannot erase my hard disk before the update!! I do not understand clearly the expression clean install.
Thanks you very much.

[loki]

Windows has two options when installing, an Upgrade and Custom (or clean install). The upgrade will attempt to keep all files, programs and settings intact. A Custom install will create a brand new and clean copy of Windows on your system. When moving from a 32 bit version to 64 bit version, you must do a Custom install as there are too many differences, especially with drivers and anti-virus software to do an Upgrade install. And it looks like going from XP to 7 will require a clean install anyways. You just need to back up your files to an external hard drive or USB memory stick.

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/06/windows-7-pricing-announced-cheaper-than-vista.ars

There is some more info here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-Windows-recommended-links