Installing Win7 Pro: use Parallels?

Hi,

I just purchased a copy of Windows 7 Pro 64bit, which will allow me to run XP within it (I believe as a virtual machine).

Would I be better off installing this as an independent operating system on my MacBook Pro, or will it still run well within Parallels? I would like to use "XP mode" to play some old, early 2000ish strategy games.

Thanks-

 

I have a Core i7 and 8GB of RAM, and a 7200rpm WD Scorpio Black HDD.

 

Well, thanks for all the help! Haha, I ended up just installing in Parallels, and it seems to be working fine. I haven't run XP yet, though, so that will be the real test.