Should I switch from xp pro to windows 64 bit?

[Daxzus]

Well, windows 64 bit has been out for a while now... But I was wondering if now is a good time to switch. Will the new OS really allow make that big of a diffrence in my game playing experiance that I should get it? Any know know some numbers in % or...should I just stay nice and cozey (stable) with my 32bit OS.

Thanks Guys!

Dax

 

[m3rcury]

I say stick with 32bit. I have an A64, and just yesterday I installed XP64. It looks and works exactly like XP 32bit. And to be honest, I dont' have any software that could benefit from the running in 64bit mode.

I'll be moving back to XP 32bit when I get a chance. Its up to you what you want to do. I say stay with 32bit untill you have a good reason to switch.

 

[imported_JFG]

Make sure any perphials have the 64 bit drivers

 

[TGS]

1. Don't switch unless you have 100% hardware compatibility
2. At least one program that will benefit from the use of a 64-bit processer
3. Have large memory requirements

If you can't hit 1 and 2 or 3, don't bother.

 

[Valkerie]

Http://www.monarchcomputer.com

take a look at the x64 computers, these are examples of x64 compatible hardware

however, because x64 is slightly new, you may want to hang onto x32 for a while until x64 becomes more mainstream to the market

 

[Valkerie]

Originally posted by: TGS
1. Don't switch unless you have 100% hardware compatibility
2. At least one program that will benefit from the use of a 64-bit processer
3. Have large memory requirements

If you can't hit 1 and 2 or 3, don't bother.

2 GB's at least, 4 GB sounds good

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: TGS
At least one program that will benefit from the use of a 64-bit processer.

Well IE6 x64 comes with it and it is lighting fast as compare to IE6 32bits.:beer:

However as a first step you can get 10GB used HD for few $$$ download the 120days trial version and be you own judge.

:sun:

 

[grimdeath]

definatly try the free trial, here's what i did:
bought a second hard drive(needed more storage down that road anyways) and set up winxp32 on my 80gig hard drive, ill run anything on that that wont work for winxp64(note i havent booted it up more then once since i did all this), then on my new 120gig hard drive i installed the trial for winxp64 and have been using it to my hearts delight, all 32bit software i use works fine such as a plethora of games, photshop cs2, dreamweaver and flash(mx 2004), firefox(who cares about IE64 lol), any several other things to come!

and anything that takes advantage of the 64bit side of things runs great, patched far cry, IE64(har har), etc...

this was my first time installed a second hard drive and it was simple, no problems there...and get a small hard drive if your just getting the drive for this test and try it out!!

 

[Daxzus]

Hey Guys,

Thank you so much for all your thought and advice. I think what I might do is actually download the free trial version and put that on my second harddrvie...For I already have two...I'll just have to format it..which I've been wanting to do any how... But I'm supposing that no one really know any real numbers as to how much faster performance I'll get by swithing to the new 64x OS. Are there any numbers? Keep the thoughts and comments comming for I'm sure many other people have this same question.

DAX

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Daxzus
ut I'm supposing that no one really know any real numbers as to how much faster performance I'll get by swithing to the new 64x OS.

If you only care for faster Now, do not bother.

Faster will come when 64bit software would be released

If you want to prepare yourself for the future (when 64 bit software would be released) and work with the most solid release of a Windows Client OS, then x64 is thing to go with.:thumbsup:

:sun:

P.S. It is also cool to say to the guys: ?Forget about you 32bits of 20th century I run Windows x64?

 

[ProviaFan]

Unfortunately, if you have to print anything, you're SOL. I wish I could run XP64, but I have to wait for Epson (printer), Minolta (scanner), and Nikon (DSLR) to get off their behinds and update their drivers.

 

[ryanv12]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan
Unfortunately, if you have to print anything, you're SOL. I wish I could run XP64, but I have to wait for Epson (printer), Minolta (scanner), and Nikon (DSLR) to get off their behinds and update their drivers.

Well, not everyone. Luckily HP has x64 drivers for my PSC 2355 all-in-one (not sure about others, but I would imagine that most of their printers have their drivers now). I believe I have full hardware support, but I just don't have any 64 bit applications. That's all I'm waiting for to switch. I'll trial first, of course.

 

[madthumbs]

I wonder if a Virtual PC software could be run in x64 to print with.

 

[Valkerie]

wait, you can't put x64 on a hard drive that is partitioned already with x32 pro?