Should I go 64-bit?

[yh125d]

If I used my proc in 64 bit mode, would I realize any performance gains in games? Would I have to install new drivers/patches? Is there anything I should know about 64 bit computing?

 

[Rio Rebel]

There are some performance gains, but only where 64 bit programs are run. FarCry, for instance, has a 64bit version which is nice.

But if you play many games, you will likely be disappointed at how many will not run on 64 bit operating systems. I use XP64, and in some ways I am very pleased, but I only run it because I don't want to re-install anything. I am actually now dual booting with XP (32 bit) to run a couple of games that won't do 64.

 

[RichUK]

Originally posted by: Rio Rebel
There are some performance gains, but only where 64 bit programs are run. FarCry, for instance, has a 64bit version which is nice.

But if you play many games, you will likely be disappointed at how many will not run on 64 bit operating systems. I use XP64, and in some ways I am very pleased, but I only run it because I don't want to re-install anything. I am actually now dual booting with XP (32 bit) to run a couple of games that won't do 64.

I thought there was an x86 folder used for running 32bit apps?

 

[Rio Rebel]

In most cases, it is the installer. Many games still use 16 bit installers, because there was no driving force to move to 32 bit.

In some cases, you can get the game to run through some inconveniences. In others, the game simply won't run.

I have scoured the net, and to my knowledge nobody has ever gotten FIFA 2007 to run on XP64.

 

[Cheex]

Well that is a "HELL NO!!" for me then.

There is no better game for me and my friends than FIFA!!!

 

[Dadofamunky]

Originally posted by: yh125td
If I used my proc in 64 bit mode, would I realize any performance gains in games? Would I have to install new drivers/patches? Is there anything I should know about 64 bit computing?

I've had big freakin' headaches trying to get 64-bit XP to run with my system. I can't get it to work with my wireless LAN card and my built-in audio, which makes the OS pretty much completely useless for me; also, app support is almost nonexistent. I'm waiting a couple years for 64-bit Vista.

 

[sxr7171]

64-bit Vista isn't bad I got Far Cry 32-bit and HL2 to run on it. Still it is my experimental OS and XP 32-bit is my primary OS.

 

[Boyo]

Stick with the 32 bit until software manufacturers play catch up.

 

[Rio Rebel]

I like FarCry 64 bit, too. It's nice.

Actually, XP64 is my primary operating system and it is working very well. All my hardware has a working driver and most software that I care about works fine. I believe the internet browsers are significantly faster (but it's hard to know for sure, it just seems that way).

My only complaint is that a couple of games I care about won't work at all in a 64 bit OS. Since my only legal copy of XP is the 64 bit version, I had to do without them.

I agree with the post above - if I had a choice, I'd go 32 bit and wait for more widespread acceptance of 64 bit Vista.

 

[abaron]

I honestly don't see any advantage to a home user getting a 64 bit operating system or CPU. Home users do not need over 4 GB of RAM. The most intensive computations and data movement takes place in video processing, which is has been offloaded to the Video Card thanks to DirectX technology. 64 bit technology is important to servers and video cards, but what are the other advantages?

Applications may process at 64-bits wide, but isn't most of that space going to waste if the operations don't involve astronomically high numbers? Can some compiler or programming guru help me out here?

 

[aimforsilence]

Originally posted by: abaron
I honestly don't see any advantage to a home user getting a 64 bit operating system or CPU. Home users do not need over 4 GB of RAM. The most intensive computations and data movement takes place in video processing, which is has been offloaded to the Video Card thanks to DirectX technology. 64 bit technology is important to servers and video cards, but what are the other advantages?

Applications may process at 64-bits wide, but isn't most of that space going to waste if the operations don't involve astronomically high numbers? Can some compiler or programming guru help me out here?

thats what i also think... wait till more software turns that way 🙂

 

[aka1nas]

Most games made in the last 3 years or so work fine on 64-bit Vista. Video card drivers still need a lot of work, but are mostly usable at this point. The most recent game that I couldn't get working was KOTOR, which I think might have a 16-bit installer.