Windows 64bit?

[Alkalile]

Hey,
I have an AMD64 3200+ (Socket 939, Winchester core) cpu. I am running WinXP Home at the moment.
I know many people have 64bit CPUs, but do any actually use the 64bit beta thats out?
And when is the retail 64bit WinXP due for release?

 

[ncage]

The release version is suppose to be released the first have of 2005. I definitly would not run it if you care about your system until the release version comes out...at very least id say a wait for RC1. They are also limited driver support.

 

[karma4jake]

So will the 64b XP be pretty much worthless for the first 6-12 months due to lack of driver support? Also will all 32b programs run the same on the 64b as the do on the 32b.

 

[Nothinman]

So will the 64b XP be pretty much worthless for the first 6-12 months due to lack of driver support?

Depends on manufacturers, a lot of drivers will ship with the OS but I know I would be wary of drivers (especially from places like ATI) for a while after the OS ships.

Also will all 32b programs run the same on the 64b as the do on the 32b.

Yes and no. Most will run just fine, the problem is that you need to have 32-bit versions of all of the support libraries so that means double the disk space since there's virtually no 64-bit apps now.