Do you need WinXP 64-bit Edition to see the benefits of a 64-bit CPU?

[MDesigner]

I'm eventually upgrdaing to an Athlon 64 CPU. I was wondering if I'll need to upgrade to XP64 (I have XP Pro now) to see a big speed difference? What's the deal with XP64?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
I'm eventually upgrdaing to an Athlon 64 CPU. I was wondering if I'll need to upgrade to XP64 (I have XP Pro now) to see a big speed difference? What's the deal with XP64?

It's good OS for those who like unstable/limited drivers & hassles 😛
IOW, enjoy 32-bit XP running dang fast on an A64 while it's here, & when Longhorn (assuming it'll be 64-bit) or the full release of XP64 comes out, then maybe try it.

 

[Gothgar]

Originally posted by: MDesigner
I'm eventually upgrdaing to an Athlon 64 CPU. I was wondering if I'll need to upgrade to XP64 (I have XP Pro now) to see a big speed difference? What's the deal with XP64?

XP 64 bit is in beta still... but it is free for a year 😛

 

[Keysplayr]

Actually, a linux system would see the benefits of a 64-bit processor as of right now.

 

[SrGuapo]

The benefit for the Athlon 64s is not in the 64 bit part, it is because it is better at 32 bit code. As soon as a stable OS is released for 64 bit CPUs (I realize linux already has a few flavors), there will be many more benefits.

 

[MDesigner]

I guess what I'm asking is, when WinXP 64 is out and fairly stable, is it worth it for me to upgrade from XPPro to XP64? I use my machine for gaming, surfing, email, software development, web development & design, graphic design, and music production (GigaStudio samples).

 

[Hurricane Andrew]

Supposedly, according to CNET, MSFT will be allowing registered users of WinXP Pro (and possibly home???) to trade in their license for a free copy of the 64 bit XP once it is out. http://news.com.com/Microsoft+...1660.html?tag=nefd.top

So to me, it sounds like it can't hurt to give it try either now for free (in a dual boot environment) or when it becomes final. I would think and hope that driver support would be far better by then, but you never know...

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: SrGuapo
The benefit for the Athlon 64s is not in the 64 bit part, it is because it is better at 32 bit code. As soon as a stable OS is released for 64 bit CPUs (I realize linux already has a few flavors), there will be many more benefits.

What do you mean the benefit of A64 is not 64bit!? Of course it is. It is no better at 32 bit code than the Pentiums are. OS is not all what we are waiting for. We have 64bit OS's we are really waiting for programs that take advantage of 64bit, like games, and CAD etc...

I would say you are correct if you said that the A64 can execute 32bit code more efficiently than the Pentiums.

-Kevin

 

[SrGuapo]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Originally posted by: SrGuapo
The benefit for the Athlon 64s is not in the 64 bit part, it is because it is better at 32 bit code. As soon as a stable OS is released for 64 bit CPUs (I realize linux already has a few flavors), there will be many more benefits.

What do you mean the benefit of A64 is not 64bit!? Of course it is. It is no better at 32 bit code than the Pentiums are. OS is not all what we are waiting for. We have 64bit OS's we are really waiting for programs that take advantage of 64bit, like games, and CAD etc...

I would say you are correct if you said that the A64 can execute 32bit code more efficiently than the Pentiums.

-Kevin

Sorry about the wording (I was in a hurry to get to 3rd block 😀)... I meant that the 64 bit computing is not the only reason an A64 is better than a P4.

 

[Tarrant64]

Originally posted by: Hurricane Andrew
Supposedly, according to CNET, MSFT will be allowing registered users of WinXP Pro (and possibly home???) to trade in their license for a free copy of the 64 bit XP once it is out. http://news.com.com/Microsoft+...1660.html?tag=nefd.top

So to me, it sounds like it can't hurt to give it try either now for free (in a dual boot environment) or when it becomes final. I would think and hope that driver support would be far better by then, but you never know...

Yup, that's true. Anyone owning a 32-bit version(of Windows Server 2003 or Windows Xp Pro only from what I heard) will be able to trade in theirs for the 64-bit versions free of charge. Sounds like a great deal to me. I personally will probably make sure I still have a copy of the 32-bit OS though anyways.