I've been playing with Windows 8/8.1 and the gaming performance boost is noticeably significant. Not just less strain on my computer resources, ive had frame rate imrpovements and even no longer need to OC my card to run some games on max efficiently that did on win 7. 8.1 is actually pretty good with a little tweak. There are 3rd party programs that let you bring the old menu back OR adjust the current Metro Start. Im using DisplayFusion and it condensed my Metro style start to the size of the original start(you can pick your size)which made it better then the original start; its not overbearing and it's customizable.