Switching to X64 a good idea?

[Shenkoa]

I am upgrading my system to an Athlon 64 wthin a week, would it hurt to switch to X64 for a main OS. I only have 512 MB of RAM!

 

[13Gigatons]

no it's doesn't have enough drivers for it to be a main OS.

It's fun to mess with on another partition but as a main day to day I can't recommend it.

 

[Bona Fide]

Stick with 32-bit XP Pro.

 

[JackMDS]

Windows x64 is very Good and cool.

Depending on what you are using the computer for switching might not present any problem.

If the way you use your computer might yield some programs inoperable.

Get for few $$ an additional small Hard Drive (The Initial installation is just under 4GB).

Get the 90 days trial and start to enjoy the future rather than to live in the past.

Link to: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition trial software

:sun:

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Stick with 32-bit XP Pro.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Stick with 32-bit XP Pro.

Why?

I have few settings that all the hardware is compatible and all the software works.

Using x64 with such settings provides over all smoother operation, and better Networking since x64 is based on Windows 2003 and the Network aspects were reworked.

:sun:

 

[ProviaFan]

Hmm, better networking as well? That's one I hadn't heard, though I had read that XPx64 was "based on" or "similar to in some respects" Windows Server 2003 SP1. I'll be sure to pay attention to network performance when I upgrade, though I doubt it will be noticeable on my home 100mbps LAN.

 

[Shenkoa]

I do play a lot of games, I use the following hardware. Or at least will be.

Athlon 64 3000+ Venice @ 2.6 GHz
DFI Socket 939 board.
512 MB Corsair
Raptor and Maxtor Diamond Max
Liteon DVDRW
Audigy 2
Radeon 9800 Pro

Why would I not switch?? as long as everything I have in compatible, which in no dount it is, so whats the problom?

 

[ProviaFan]

I just installed Windows XP x64, and it does seem to be noticeably smoother ("snappier" may describe the feeling better) in overall use, even on a dual core / SMP system, though I haven't determined whether that's due to some great advantage of the OS, or just because I haven't installed much extra crap yet.

Drivers haven't been a problem (Epson has the R200 covered now). My Minolta film scanner's drivers are way out of date, but I have a 32 bit system that I can use for scanning, so that's not a problem.

 

[Shenkoa]

I was thinking about actually switching to it as my main OS, would there be any probloms with that and also wont it work with 32 Bit drivers just fine.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Shenkoa
I was thinking about actually switching to it as my main OS, would there be any probloms with that

Not necessarily... I did.

and also wont it work with 32 Bit drivers just fine.

No, you need 64 bit drivers for everything.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Stick with 32-bit XP Pro.

agreed, posting from XP64bit

 

[ch33kym0use]

dual boot is a good idea in my opinion

x64 and 32bit XP

 

[RJR2006]

I never tried x64 and I currently have a x86 PC and I am not sure if my PowerEdge SC420's mobo will support 64 bit processor.