Originally posted by: viper6497
I dont see the point in paying over $500 for a 64bit proccessor and mobo when there is no version of windows that supports 64-bit and might not be released until 2006.
So don't buy it. This is bleeding edge technology... the world of $450 video cards and $300 processors. There are many theories as to why WinXP 64 hasn't been released yet, even though there are 100% functional betas out there and have been for a long time. The big theory from the guys at slashdot (put your tinfoil hat on) right now is that Intel has negotiated with Microsoft to not release it until they release their own version of the x86-64 chip so they can compete directly with AMD.
If you want Windows and don't care about cost at all, then go with the P4 extreme edition. You'll be on top for a month or so in Windows benchmarks. The Linux crowd will point and laugh, but if you bought just for windows you won't care. Ignore all the Linux people that tell you that they've had 64 bit for a long time and that your 32 bit processor is just a stopgap solution.
Oh... also you can ignore the fact that the 64 bit chip from AMD also does 32 bit a hell of a lot faster than just about every other 32 bit chip out there... aside from the P4 extreme edition that is more expensive than the AMD64 chip and performs on the same level +/- 5% or so depending on the tests being done..