New Rig - few Q's for you

[Jase]

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--> This motherboard supports various Microsoft® Windows® operating systems: 2000 /
XP / XP 64-bit / VistaTM.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I've got a new ASRock 939Dual-VSTA mobo along with a AMD Athlon64 3800 Venice.


Is it wise to try the XP 64bit and will I notice any difference? Will it improve performance? Will it affect my games running?



It's been so long since I built my last PC I've lost all touch with this techy stuff


If the 64bit version is the one to go for wheres best to get it?

[Hammer]

I don't know if the 64 version is best. Running 32 bit student edition on mine.

[Trig]

32bit on mine, Windows XP64 bit is a bit of a stop gap before Vista, think the stop gap between Windows 98 and Windows 2000/XP and you get Windows Me.....

Enough said?

[Claw]

The benefits are mostly high-end as you'll see from this link...

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bi ... top10.mspx" target="_blank">Top 10 benefits of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition</a>

You'll also find that there are free 32bit apps out there that have been disabled for 64bit requiring you to buy them. For example AVG Free Edition and other Grisoft products. In addition to this there are 32bit apps that are just plain incompatible.

I've got XP 64bit on my wife's machine, the incompatibilites were more of a nuisance than a problem as I then just had to look for alternatives.

If you wanted to experiment with XP 64bit now would be the time to do it in your case because if you're not happy with it not liking the kind of software you intend on reinstalling then you haven't done too much to then revert back to XP 32bit.

More MS stuff:

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Comparing 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows

The major difference between 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows is memory support. With more memory, you can run more programs at the same time, and run more memory-intensive programs like multimedia, gaming, and database programs. And your computer's performance will be faster overall.

Currently, 32-bit editions of Windows are capable of supporting up to 4 gigabytes (GB) of system memory, with up to 2 GB of dedicated memory per process. Windows Professional XP Edition x64 currently supports up to 128 GB of RAM, with the potential to support up to 16 terabytes of virtual memory as hardware capabilities and memory sizes improve.

Another difference between 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows is the increased number of registers available on 64-bit processors. This enables faster performance for applications that perform intensive floating-point calculations.

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition provides faster performance, increased reliability, and greater flexibility to today's most demanding users. With Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, you can take advantage of the new 64-bit technology to improve your PC or workstation performance.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bi ... nefit.mspx" target="_blank">More MS info...</a>

[Trig]

Well MS arent going to tell you its crap are they, I wonder how many plus points ME had over 98....?!

[Claw]

Well MS arent going to tell you its crap are they, I wonder how many plus points ME had over 98....?!

Personally I think the information they have provided there is quite honest and accurate, and my other comments gave a gist as to what can be expected from experience. If you want to give it a really good grilling then do a search for people who have done the 64bit versus 32bit routine... but what you'll find is that on a general level of usage you won't notice any big difference other than the occasional incompatibility. The benefits are mostly high-end at the moment.

[Stocky]

In my experience using 64 bit XP it's not worth the bother, I have yet to see any benefit on my rig (Dual boot with both versions) I got to see a little bit of increased fps with Farcry 64bit patch & .............. well that's about it, my other games don't run any faster(if at all on 64 without compatibility), my drive times aren't any faster, my printer doesn't run any faster, my TV card won't work at all under 64 but has no issues under 32 bit, and is already supported & has drivers for Vista & as for better memory capabilities, it still won't let me access my full 4gb to sum up Jase, stick with your original 32 bit XP & wait till Vista comes along.

[Thane]

You checked the memory hole option thingie on your BIOS which is required for using 4gb of RAM?

64bit XP has to many software incompatibilities for most people, specialised use only. Evidently the 64bit Vista version is as bad.

[Jase]

Well I've got mobo and cpu installed and new drivers and didnt need a windows reinstall

I think I'll pass with the 64bit and just doa fresh install of the student edition shortly