Resolved Windows 7 v Vista

I use my computer mainly for pc gaming and watching tv programmes.
I am contemplating upgrading away from XP, simply because I understand MS will soon stop support.
Firstly, even if MS DO stop offering support is XP dead?
Secondly, could anyone give an opinion as to whether I should go for 7 or Vista bearing in mind my usage.
If I did upgrade, it would be to a premium version and not the full 'bells & whistles' version.
I know there is a lot of subjectivity involved here, but I would like to hear especially from a gamer (COD series,Ghost Recon series etc)

 

Win Vista was never the awful mess as painted in the computer press. I have two three year old Vista machines with never a problem.

I have now two Win 7 machines, and I am not delighted. Microsoft's campaign "simpler" means more Mac like, less configuration, e.g. no Advanced Tag Editor in WMP12, too many hidden files in Explorer.

I like Vista a lot.

 

I went from XP to W 7 Pro and installed GRAW 1 & 2, Crysis and Crysis Warhead, COD4 & COD2.
GRAW played ok as did Crysis. I had nothing but game crashed with COD though.
I eventually decided to dual boot XP and W7 & installed all my games onto XP. No more problems.
This may or may not happen to you. My problem may well have been a driver problem. Apparently sound drivers from RealTek cause these crashes, but I could not resolve them.
Once drivers mature for my W7 64bit, I may end installing the games to 7, especially if I go ahead & buy a 58** card.

Just to add, I did have Vista 64bit between XP & 7 & never had a problem running any games.

 

Thanks Guys,
Having regard to what you say I will stick with XP. Even though it's an open ended matter of opinion I wall mark it as solved, since I do have the answer I sought.

 

Evan, do me a favour and call me again in 2014, see how I'm getting along with XP.
Thanks all