BleepingComputer.com: Windows XP vs 7

Hello people, for some time I've wanted to install Windows 7 on this machine, it is about 5 years old, here are some basic specs of this PC:

[Dell Optiplex 170L]
P4 @ 2.8GHz
1.5GB RAM DDR PC3200
320GB SATA HDD
Intel 82865G Graphics Controller with 64MB dedicated and up to 96MB shared (total rubbish but I can play WoW with it)
It has always had Windows XP Professional Edition.

My PC can run Windows 7, I just need to know if Windows 7 will run faster than XP regarding boot-up time, executing programs, etc.

I've thought that timing on any system...is more dependent on what is installed, how much memory the system has, and hard drive space...than the O/S.

I run both of the mentioned O/Ses...I've never though of either as "faster" or "slower", since the programs installed are not comparable.

Others perceive differently.

Louis

So what would you recommend for a PC with those specs, Windows XP or 7?
I'm fine with Windows XP, and I like 7, though my graphics adapter won't be able to run the visual effects, that's not a problem at all.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...I cannot recommend what O/S you might want to use .

Windows aren't the only O/Ses either...there are the various linux distros.

I have two installs of both XP and Win 7 on my systems right now, I don't see it as an either/or situation.

I find that experimentation is the technique I use to decide such. If my system runs Win 7 to my satisfaction, I install Win 7. If not, I install XP. But...I have multiple systems so I install both.

Louis

I also have Ubuntu 10.04 installed on a diferent partition and XP as my primary OS.
I just tried to install Windows 7 from my hard drive since I don't have a DVD drive, I had to make an ISO file on another PC and copy the ISO file here through LAN.
Now I'm getting this error message every time Windows 7 installation starts: "Windows setup experienced an unexpected error. To install Windows restart the installation"
This happens right after "Copying temporary files", which in fact doesn't even last more than 10 seconds before I get the error.

I don't believe that anyone can install Win 7 from a hard drive...I don't understand this whole bit about copying an .iso file.

In any case, for inquiries about installing Win 7...you would best be served by posting in the BC Win 7 forum, not here in XP .

Louis