Advice Needed -- Win XP Pro or WinXP x64 Pro??

[lmadern]

I primarily use my system for Programming assignments, Video Encoding, web surfing, and some gaming (NeverWinter Nights and soon to be Guild Wars).

I'd like to know if anyone has an opinion on which OS I should install (between the 2 choices above

Are there any issues with either choice on my new CPU and MB (DFI-Lanparty Ultra-D non SLI)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[doc2345]

No one has proved any performance enhancements or features with x64 over XP Pro. The only real difference is the time you'll spend looking for drivers and chasing application compatibility issues. Lot's of grief for 64bit bragging rights!

Good choice on processor, I'm not a DFI fan but the world likes 'em, sure it will be fine........

 

[DRavisher]

Well x64 edition is based on server 2003 SP1, so I would think it is a tad more stable, and has better networking. As long as you can get drivers for everything I would personally go with x64, but the safe route is of course XP SP2. Unless you are planning on getting more than 2GB RAM (which is the largest amount of memory XP SP2 can assign to any one process) the safe bet would be XP SP2. I'm just adventurous.

 

[lmadern]

Anyone know if I will have driver issues with WinXP 64 and the following hardware:

ATI x600XT PCI-express
WD Sata 120 GB harddrive


Any gaming issues anyone know about using XP 64? What driver issues have people been having with XP 64?

 

[DRavisher]

The driver issues are that there are no drivers for certain hardware (perticularly printers and TV cards seem to be a problem). ATi X600XT should have support, but i'd check first. I have yet to encounter any problems gaming, but there are a few games that use StarForce copy protection crap, and this does not work under x64.

 

[Stilewag]

I have heard a rumor that every application you run in Windows 64-bit must be compiled in 64-bit "mode" (I haven't tested Win64 yet) It would be great if someone could confirm or disconfirm this.

 

[DRavisher]

Stilewag: Nope. Just about every 32 bit app out there works natively in x64 (WoW64 does not count as emulation in my book). There is virtually no difference in performance in 32 bit apps between XP SP2 and x64 edition.

 

[lmadern]

If there is no difference between runtime of anything running on WinXp vs WinXp 64 bit, why should I switch knowing that I could possible run into issues with software and/or hardware?

 

[DRavisher]

Because some programs that are 64 bit may run a tad faster, the OS is a newer version of NT than XP SP2 (5.2 versus 5.1 = should be more stable), and has superior networking engine (so I am told). But for the average user switching to XP x64 is pretty unneccesary. My recomendation is to go with XP SP2, unless the adventurer in you tells you otherwise. The only real reason to go 64 bit now is if you need a proccess to be able to access more than 2GiB RAM.

 

[lmadern]

In that case, I think I will stick with WinXP but without SP2. I'll only install SP1 and all the patches individually. I don't want all that other junk.... firewall, etc..

 

[DRavisher]

The firewall is just improved (it is there in original XP too I think, it is definately there in SP1). It is of course your choice, but you will be pretty vulnerable without SP2. A good firewall and smart habits can still keep you safe, but I don't think SP2 really adds much undesired stuff. Mostly just better security. Your PC, just my recomendation.

 

[lmadern]

I have a router with a firewall and run virus software/spware/adware stuff. I've never had a problem without running the XP Firewall or SP2 on my machines.

Thanks

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Originally posted by: lmadern
If there is no difference between runtime of anything running on WinXp vs WinXp 64 bit, why should I switch knowing that I could possible run into issues with software and/or hardware?

You shouldn't. There is like NO performance difference at all. It'll be useful in the future when 64-bit apps come out, but right now, it's completely useless.