So how do you folks like Win7 So far? Please remember that this is a release candidate
Well, I run a pretty custom and... almost unique main pc/gaming setup. This'll boil down to my specific hardware combination, but MS does have something to do with it so I figure I might as well say something.
I run a 8800gtx to a Matrox Triplehead2Go and 3 22" lcd's all running at 1680x1050 in Vista64. My maximum desktop resolution is the TH2G's max rez of 5040x1050. As it stands (and this is totally a communication problem between Matrox and Nvidia), I have to use an older driver set (170's) to get my maximum resolution. If I try to upgrade to a more modern driver release, I can't get that resolution in desktop or gaming mode. It seems upgrading drivers can and/or will break any custom resolutions made in the Nvidia control panel. Now..... if I run any games in dx9 or dx9 mode, I can keep that wonderfully high resolution and let me tell you.... life is good. However, and this is where the MS part is injected into the story, I (nor anyone else) can run that resolution in dx10 mode. At least I'm under the impression that MS has more control over DirectX than anyone else. We're limited to a notch or 2 lower in resolution. My impression via widescreengamingforums.com is that there's a lot of lack of communication between MS, Nvidia and Matrox in making this work. Many people have found workarounds in the form of custom resolutions in later driver releases, but it's still a hit or miss situation.
HOWEVER! I tried the public RC release of Win7 and after some icky moments, I managed to get 7 working with a 180.xx driver set (one of the older ones) and somehow got a custom rez of 5040x1050. +1 for 7, because Vista just could not and would not do that. Granted that it's a RC, but I lost Aero effects when I got the resolution switched over. If I changed drivers to a more current version, I'd lose what I had. That alone is making me switch over to 7. The RC is very, very smooth, stable and cool.
I realize that I and the WSGF.com's crew are a minority in this situation, but it's a very legit situation as the amount of hardware used to pull this kind of stunt off can cut into the wallet pretty deep and it seems Matrox has pretty constant contact with a few of the key members. $300ish for the Triplehead2Go digital box and then the cost of 3 lcd's that can run 1680x1050 @57hz. It's all very specific, but worth it in the end. There is nothing like running TF2, HAWX or Crysis in a surround gaming setup and many, many people would love to see support extended to and maybe even enhanced in Win7. (I totally ran it all at the last Fites150 and got quite a few compliments. Then my jerk friend Fred got HIS picture taken with his xbox running on 3 screens.
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