If the nose section on the 747-400 (or -300) is BC, I prefer that (seated in row 1) to the upper deck. More light, more spacious/less enclosed due to high ceilings, and much less noise and traffic. No one is going to walk to row 1 unless they have business to (FAs, other pax in row 1 or other pax to the closet, if any, and FAs with business there). I find it way too busy on the UD with pax, FAs and flight crew going to and from.

Of course, UD on the -100/200 (probably very few left) is nice and quite quiet, almost as quiet as the nose.