32 bit XP with Athlon 64

[keymaker78]

I know this sounds stupid but will I have the benefit of a 64 bit processor with XP pro (32 bit) edition? I will be installing 32 bit XP on my new machine with Athlon 64. Is it necessary to install 64 bit XP for better gaming performance?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: keymaker78
I know this sounds stupid but will I have the benefit of a 64 bit processor with XP pro (32 bit) edition? I will be installing 32 bit XP on my new machine with Athlon 64. Is it necessary to install 64 bit XP for better gaming performance?

Not at all. Athlon 64's are awesome for gaming in XP 32-bit as well. The performance of the CPU's isn't really due to their being 64 bit, rather it's because of architectural changes like the onboard memory controller, etc. Programs optimized specifically for 64-bit processors may exhibit performance increases at some point, but there aren't really many of them yet (at least not as far as consumer-level stuff).

I would actually recommend XP 32-bit over x64 for the time being (even if you have a 64 bit processor)...There are really no performance benefits at the moment, unless perhaps you have some reason to run over 4GB of RAM (or any specific 64-bit-optimized software). And the driver situation is rather sketchy right now - there are lots of devices that you can't use under x64, since drivers don't yet exist for them.

 

[yukichigai]

As SynthDude said, all games will have better performance with an Athlon64 running a 32-bit OS. However, upgrading to x64 does give you the advantage of being able to apply the FarCry 64-bit patch. Having it applied myself I have to say that the performance difference is striking. You can really see farther and with more detail, and framerates even seem to go up a bit.

But as has been mentioned, very few programs support x64 yet. (in the sense that they work, but have no improved performance) Drivers can also be a nightmare, particularly for "lesser" companies. If you have all major-company stuff, like an nForce-based board, a legitimate Creative Labs SB, etc., it isn't very hard to find drivers at all though. Daemon Tools doesn't work with x64 at all, and the next version -- which promises it will -- isn't out of Beta yet. That's a bit of a downer. On the plus side, there are a number of 64-bit builds of popular open-source software, like Firefox. (as if the speed boost would be that noticable )

Personally, I'm rather happy I went to x64. All my programs work with it -- though Deus Ex has a goofy resolution cap -- and the only device I can't get drivers for is my Chinese-made TV tuner. Seeing as I used it all of twice before, I'm not that broken up about it. Daemon Tools is probably the biggest inconvenience I've encountered so far, and that will supposedly remedy itself soon. I'm also in the process of acquiring the build tools necessary to compile my own 64-bit apps, which means I'll be able to make 64-bit Mozilla (not Firefox) and whatever else I can find the source code for. A lot of my 32-bit apps seem to run faster on x64 as well. The hacked OS X theme doesn't hurt things either.

In short, I'd suggest trying x64 first if at all possible. It may work out to your liking, or it may have limitations you aren't ready to deal with yet.

 

[The Linuxator]

The two members before me pretty much summed it up for you, if there is no usage of software that is optimized for 64-bit systems , you are much better off with win xp-32 bit , one can only think how mature 32-bit drivers are right now and how much time will it take for 64-bit drivers to reach that maturity ,level stability wise. granted the hardware you are going to use will ever have 64-bit drivers released for them.