Windows and Dual Core CPU's

[h4x0r]

I'm putting a rig together in the next week or so and trying to decide if I should make the move to Vista (64bit) or stay with XP pro. I'll be using the system mostly for gaming, and was wondering if it is really worth it go for the 64 bit OS? I've been reading up on the differences between Vista and XP, but I'm curious as to how much of a gap there is in performance. If anyone was wondering, my processor is planning on being an Intel E6750 in a MSI P6N SLI, with 2gb crucial ballistix, with a geforce 8 something or other.

So basically I'm wondering (since none of my programs are made for a 64 bit platform) if using a 64 bit OS will really help, or if I should just be concerned with my cpu speed/mobo and not worry about the OS until my apps are 64 bit capable. Thanks in advance!

 

[wayliff]

I personally think that a 64-bit os will be more future proof. Right now 32-bit OSs are limited to 3.25GB of ram and 64-bit OSs can handle that and much more, i dont know the limit.
Also, in general you should not have trouble running 32-bit software on a 64-bit OS. You will find issues with Security software (Antivirus, Firewalls, etc) however.

I upgraded to vista 64-bit and I plan on using a virtual pc machine to have xp pro 32-bit...I am not there yet but I have heard this setup works well...however it eats RAM like there's no tomorrow so having 4GBs of ram would help there....
OR you can have a dual boot of vista and xp in the flavor that you want.

Hope that helps...and if I made a mistake, somebody please correct me.

 

[Fireye0]

Currently, going to Vista will drop your performance (general consensus, I believe). XP64bit, I'm not sure of the current state. Drivers used to be really immature, resulting in performance and compatibility issues. You'll want to verify in advance that ALL of your hardware has vista or xp64 drivers available.

 

[h4x0r]

I've been doing some more research, and it seems that there's very little performance increase between XP and Vista in regards to anything NOT designed for 64 bit architecture. So for the time being I think I'll just stick with XP (maybe even try XP64, still need to check on drivers though).

 

[themisfit610]

For bottom line performance - today - get XP 32 bit.

There aren't enough native 64 bit apps to make x64 a worthwhile alternative - yet.

Vista x64 is great, and will only get better. I will be running it in a few months, I'm sure of it.

XP x64 is dead as far as gaming is concerned.

~Misfit

 

[h4x0r]

gotcha...well thanks for the info. I know I'll be making the move at some point, this was just to help determine what I was going to start off with in my new box.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Fireye0
Currently, going to Vista will drop your performance (general consensus, I believe). XP64bit, I'm not sure of the current state. Drivers used to be really immature, resulting in performance and compatibility issues. You'll want to verify in advance that ALL of your hardware has vista or xp64 drivers available.

Not true ,read this , notice how well Vista does against XP,as for Vista x64 read the info below taken from the previous link.

If you were debating between the 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows Vista, fortunately it looks like performance is similar with either version. Both AMD and NVIDIA?s drivers for both versions of Vista perform practically identical to one another. And if you were concerned about game compatibility with 64-bit Vista, one of the guidelines Microsoft has required for Games For Windows certification is that games must be compatible with Windows Vista x64. This means if the game has a Games For Windows logo on the box, it?s been tested to run with 64-bit Windows Vista. Upcoming games like Alan Wake, Crysis, Fallout 3, Gears of War PC, and Hellgate: London are all Games For Windows compliant.

Considering all this, we?d recommend our readers opt for the 64-bit version of Vista if you?ve got a 64-bit CPU. It runs just as fast in games with the added advantage that it?s more secure and can address considerably more memory (4GB max in 32-bit Vista versus 128GB in 64-bit Vista Ultimate).

Btw you can run a lot of 32 bit applications on Vista x64.