Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
7
Operating Systems
We have all the hardware in place for our PC to reach its high-end potential.
But without an operating system to instruct all these pieces to talk to one
another, we just have an organized collection of metals and plastics. This
brief chapter will discuss the operating systems we can install that will bring
to life the hardware we assembled.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is the OS of choice among PC builders, and for good reason.
Given Microsoft's dominance in the PC industry, it's the commercial standard
by which PC-hardware manufacturers write drivers. All of the hardware rec-
ommended in this topic "just works" with Windows. Most of the hardware will
be automatically detected by Windows upon bootup, though some will need
additional software drivers freely available for download from the respective
hardware manufacturers' websites.
For example, the motherboard's optical audio output requires the Realtek
audio drivers available from the ASUS website to get Windows to properly
recognize and configure the hardware. Likewise, the Corsair K95 keyboard
and M95 mouse will function on a basic level using the built-in drivers pro-
vided by Windows. But if you want to take advantage of the LED key lighting
on the K95 or the flashing custom button settings on the M95, you will need
to install the Windows drivers available from the Corsair website.
As for the version of Windows preferred, I recommend the 64-bit version of
Windows 8.1. This latest release fixes a number of user-interface issues that
were not fully realized in the initial release of Windows 8. Others might try
to convince you to install the 32-bit version of Windows 7 instead. I advise
against that for the simple reason that Microsoft and its hardware partners
are moving forward with Windows 8. While Windows 7 will continue to be
