Is upgrading to 64 bit worth it right now?

[49erinnc]

My system has become pretty outdated though I don't really have any issues with it. Currently running a Socket A Athlon XP 2400+, 1GB PC2700, R9800XT and I have an ASRock board.

Like I said, it runs fine and the last game I played was F.E.A.R. Had no problems playing at 10x7 and medium settings with decent rates. I have been thinking about upgrading but nothing too fancy. I do plan on gaming but I'm not one of those people who have to play at the highest resolutions, maxed settings and 60FPS.

My question is: Is it a must at this point to jump to a 64Bit CPU? If so, what's the best option for someone just wanting an upgrade from what I currently have but nothing over the top? Or, am I fine not going to 64 bit and just getting a faster CPU than what I currently have? For example, the Sempron 3100+/ECS NFORCE3-A mobo combo that's around $80 at Outpost. Of course, I'd prefer PCI-E graphics so I'd go with a similar combo but one that wasn't AGP.

I think that eventually, I'm gonna go with faster memory and obviously, a better video card. But I wanted to start with mobo/CPU first. As a casual gamer, what is my best option if I want to keep costs to a minium?

Thanks...

 

[Bobthelost]

64 bit is nice, but rather irrelevant. 754 is a very good budget option, but the scale for incremental upgrades is small. You could get a 64 bit CPU in the future if you do discover a need for it, but it won't be a cutting edge CPU by any means.

 

[49erinnc]

So are you basically saying that 64 bit is overrated? What is the most noticable difference to the casual user when going to 64 bit? Personally, I'd rather put most of my budget into the memory and video card. So I'd rather not spend any more money than I have to on the CPU.

As a gamer, I just don't want to regret not going to 64 if it's a big advantage. After this upgrade, I will likely not do so again for at least another year or so.

 

[morgash]

get urself an opteron 144 with a pci express mobo on the FS/FT forums for about 200 then spend the rest of ur budget on some nice RAM and a good vcard. Especially if u OC the opty to 2.4-2.6 ur gonna see some BIG performance differences between the opty and ur AXP.

Morgash

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: 49erinnc
So are you basically saying that 64 bit is overrated? What is the most noticable difference to the casual user when going to 64 bit? Personally, I'd rather put most of my budget into the memory and video card. So I'd rather not spend any more money than I have to on the CPU.

As a gamer, I just don't want to regret not going to 64 if it's a big advantage. After this upgrade, I will likely not do so again for at least another year or so.

64bit is overrated? Yes. Very few people Own XP 64Bit and only a handful of programs are written in 64bit code.

But the Athlon64 while a 64bit CPU, is the current King of the crop in the 32bit enviroment as well. Even the cheepest 3000+ is going to be faster then your 2400+ by sizable amount, but I would suggest looking at a 3200+ or 3500+.

Another reason to go Athlon64 is the video card, you need a motherboard that supports PCIe which you can't get with a AthlonXP. If you Stay AGP you basically are stuck three generations behind.