Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

[JAG87]

hi all, I am planning to buy a new computer at the end of the summer. of course it will be a 64 bit processor... (duh)

right now im running an Athlon XP 3200+ and Windows XP Professional SP2
I am thinking of a dual core Athlon FX (like FX-6something on socket AM2) and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

I want to try Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, because a good number of applications can take advantage of the 64 bit code now. What I am particularly interested in is Valve's 64bit edition of the Source engine. I play cs source and dod source a lot.

So my question for you guys is:

1) Will most of my 32 bit applications run on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition?
I know about the antivirus crap, and that most dont work but that doesnt really concern me because i dont use one. What I am concerned about is regular everyday programs.

2) Will I see a performance slowdown overall, by using Windows XP Professional x64 Edition? Please, x64 users give me your insights.


Right now it is fairly easy to find all the drivers for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, so I think it will be a breeze to get my new hardware working properly. My doubt is how well does 32-bit software run on Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.

Thanks in advance..

 

[pkme2]

I found out that x64 needs a year for the software manufacturers to catchup with the proper drivers to run hardware and software. I switched back from x64 to 32bit. You will find out for yourself that x64 needs more time to workout its needs, but good hunting anyway.

 

[WobbleWobble]

1) Most likely, but the main program that I use a lot that nicely supported in x64 is Alcohol 120%. I've never had any problems with games, Office apps or multimedia apps.

2) You won't notice a difference unless you get picky into benchmarks.

 

[JAG87]

pkme2, were you using an RC? The final release is out, and it might be less buggy then the RC you used. I was planning on getting the final version.

wobble, what does your first sentence mean? does alcohol 120 work or not?

thanks to all replies.

 

[JackMDS]

It was worth my while.

However, whether is worth Your while, or Not, is a personal decision that should be based on you needs (not every body else?s needs).

As rule of thumb.
If you have only one computer stick with WinXP 32 (Or Vista when it comes out.)

If you have a Network, make at least one computer x64.

It is faster Internet Browsing, better Networking, and it is the Future.

:sun:

 

[JAG87]

JackMDS, I have 4 computers, all running XP Pro.

I have a network and none of my computers are x64.


Still now a good enough reason to switch over tho, im looking at pure performance, and gameplay. On a maxed out computer hardware wise, I want an OS capable of delivering every little bit of juice my rig will have. Keep in mind I have no budget. Whatever my rig will cost when I build it, thats what I will pay. It must be the best technology I can buy at that time (most likely august).

 

[RebateMonger]

A lot of people who try it either switch back to x32, do multi-booting, or have spare computers to play with.

x64 has been out about a year now and there are STILL driver shortages. Be sure to check out all your drivers first, and ensure that programs that are important to you will run under X64.

My opinion is that XP x64 is dead. Vista will come out within a year and ALL attention will be on that. HOPEFULLY, Visa x64 drivers will work in XP x64, because the hardware makers are going to be too busy writing new Vista drivers to spend time writing XP x64 drivers.

If you have a specific, quantifiable need that necessitates moving to x64 at this time, then, hey....Go for It....but most people don't.

Microsoft's Top Five Reasons for Moving to XP Professional x64:
Performance benefits for specialized, technical applications
Very large memory support, familiar Windows desktop
Single desktop for technical and business applications
Increased reliability and security on the desktop
Best platform for new generation of applications

 

[JAG87]

thank for the nice response rebatemonger..

the reason why I want to go to x64 is that I do not plan on getting Vista at least for 6 to 8 months after its release. There is no way that I will be the bait tester, for everyone else to find the first bugs on my back. I will wait for other people to try Vista, find its problems, and then well after Microsoft patches their stuff, I will get it. Just like i waited for SP2 before i got XP. I was still running 98se till sp2 came out. Then i decided XP was stable enough to get it.

So considering nov for its release, that sets me back at least until june 2007. I speculate that between now and june 2007 many programs will be written with 64 bit extensions, and I want to be able to take advantage of these applications, even before I get Vista. Of course everything will be much better once vista comes out.

And to your suggestions, yes i have already checked out all my drivers, and all manufacturers have them. nvidia has forceware for nforce, and geforce, creative has drivers for x-fi, so im pretty much set. I dont plan on getting any weird hardware like tuners, or capture cards which might be hard to find drivers for. my rig will be strictly a gaming-encoding machine.

thanks.
keep them coming guys the more the better..

 

[Slacker]

I just installed x64 tonight. it went as smooth as can be, no driver issues at all.

Here are the specs:

intel D945PSN mobo
820D 2.8ghz dual core cpu
evga 7800gt
2gb DDR2 3200mhz
2x 250gb SATA II WD2500 16mb cache
MS DSS80 USB speaker system

 

[JAG87]

happy to hear that.

 

[JAG87]

anything else guys?

 

[Lord Banshee]

i built an x86-64 machine a couple months back for my co-worker. I had no issues in WinXp x64 and i felt it was damn fast... but it could have been the hardware lol

2x Opteron 270 (4 cores Grr)
Tyan Dual PCi-E x16 Mobo (can't remember the model)
4x 1GB of RAM Corsair
2x 250GB 16MB SATAII Hard Drives
1x Pny QuadroFX 3400
2x NEC DVD-RW 34xx series

 

[JAG87]

thats one beefy computer...
i could never afford 4 cores lol
but still good to know u had no probs. thanks

 

[Lord Banshee]

np, and yeah it was beefy.. He likes it

 

[gsellis]

If you do video editing (advanced using hardware components) or have some other strange hardware device (even, potentially, a dongle), I would suggest waiting a bit to load it. The device drivers are the weakness. But, the same thing happend when we went from 16-bit to 32.

Oh, I do wonder about some VPN software. I have not tried it, but since some of it creates a NDIS driver layer, it may not work. Just cannot say for sure. Someone else might have experimented with it.

 

[pkme2]

I built a video rig with x64 Windows, but a lot of my addon hardware and software were kind of jiggy with a shortage of proper drivers. I went back to XP Pro and everything works. For some, X64 will work, but for those who work in video, we'll wait a year.

 

[JAG87]

I work with video, but software wise. I dont need hardware to work with my clips, I mostly do encoding, and work with vdub and vegas. So I really dont need special drivers like for catpture cards and such. my rig will be dedicated to gaming, music and video encoding. Thats all. and of course visiting these forums