New Computer, xp or xp64?

[sourceninja]

I want to play oblivion. My new computer is comming tomarrow for me to build. IShould I install my copy of xp 64bit or windows xp 32bit? This is a dual core machine (amd64 X2 4400) with 2 gigs of ram.

I've heard that xp doesn't handle dual core as well as the 64bit version, and that with more then 1.5 gigs of ram you should use xp 64bit. This will only be a partition used for playing BF2, and oblivion. Everything else will be done inside my good old gentoo.

What do you think? Xp or 64bit XP for gaming only partition?

 

[DBSX]

I've heard that xp doesn't handle dual core as well as the 64bit version, and that with more then 1.5 gigs of ram you should use xp 64bit. This will only be a partition used for playing BF2, and oblivion. Everything else will be done inside my good old gentoo.

You heard wrong. Windows 32-bit "handles" dual core processors just fine. It also "handles" 2GB of RAM without a problem, 4GB is where 32-bit Windows has issues.

At any rate, either should be fine. It might be easier to stick with the 32-bit XP for now as you play games, some may have trouble with 64-bit Windows. Then again, probably not so it doesn't hurt to go with 64-bit. I think, in the end, if your hardware is fairly "vanilla", nothing too odd, 64-bit Windows will work just fine. Pick one and use it, I doubt either will be a problem, and most likely they will run about the same. You probably would be hard pressed to tell the difference if someone surprised you by installing one and not telling you which they installed.

\Dan

 

[spyordie007]

Since there arent many (or any I'm not sure) x64 games out there you might want to go with 32bit.

I've heard of some issues running 32bit games on the x64 platform

 

[DasFox]

sourceninja, I'm running x64 and love it so far. I have not had any issues with it and it is quite a bit faster then XP 32bit. If you can make it happen I suggest x64, to get the most performance out of the CPU.

Somethings might be picky, drivers, different apps, like a good virus app, because of this I bought NOD32, but all in all, I have not had one problem so far and the differences in speed between the 32bit and 64bit are amazing.

ALOHA

 

[chef24]

Originally posted by: spyordie007
Since there arent many (or any I'm not sure) x64 games out there you might want to go with 32bit.

I've heard of some issues running 32bit games on the x64 platform

He's right, there are issues running some of the FPS games I play on the x64 platform, specifically the anti-cheat software (I'm speaking of multiplayer gaming).

You can always assign those games to run in 32bit tho.

 

[dwcal]

Most games should run fine. One problem might be Starforce or any other copy protection that uses a special device driver.

Other than that, just research your hardware for driver support, and remember that you'll have fewer choices for system utilities like antivirus and software firewalls.