Definitely XP for gaming so that you can commit more resources to the game instead of the OS.
As for the size of the partition. It really depends on how many games you plan on installing. With game sizes hitting 6GB, a 15GB partition is only good for maybe 2 to 4 games. So pick a size where you won't run out of space for the games you want to play.
I use Vista on my gaming PC and run at the same frame rates as when I was running the same games on XP.
Also, if you have the new gen MBP with the 8600gt, you'll be either putting Vista on it eventually or not playing any newer games at all. XP won't support DX10 and the 8600gt is DX10 compatible.
No need to get melodramatic here. Just because a game is DX10 capable doesn't mean you can't run it in Windows XP. These games will be backward compatible with DX9 systems, just without a little eye candy (which don't really offer much anyway).
No need to get melodramatic here. Just because a game is DX10 capable doesn't mean you can't run it in Windows XP. These games will be backward compatible with DX9 systems, just without a little eye candy (which don't really offer much anyway).
Yep, and have read many reviews of the DX10 games coming out that have been tested under XP. Pretty much all the reviewers are saying the same thing - these games have even gotten better under DX9 and look great.
At this point, personally am sticking with XP. Only put 20GB on my Bootcamp partition and used NTFS.
Vista is fine for gaming IMHO, I get better or same rates on CS:S with Vista or XP Pro SP2 on my machine. I don't know about BioShock or some of the newer games but I'm sure you'll be fine. I have around 60 GBS dedicated to my XP Pro SP2 partition and runs fine. I had to remove Vista because DVD RB wouldn't install on it and I need that to re-encode all the DVDs I own = D
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