XP 64 Performance and Upgrade Questions

[pappadj]

I'm building a system for someone that wanted a AMD 64 chip. My question is that he's not tech savy and wants stability first and performance and upgradability next. So my questions as I'm new to the 64bit world are:

1) Is Windows 64 bit edition stable (for a non-tech savy user)

2) If it's recommended to stick with 32 bit Windows for now, is there still a performance increaase over using a 32 bit proc. (IE AXP 2800+/WINXP32 vs A64 2800+/WINXP32)

3) Is it known if there will be a 32bit to 64bit upgrade when its final?

That's all I need to know. I've read some details on these questions but don't know if anything has changed.

Thanks,
David

 

[MrChad]

1. No, it's still in beta. Drivers are difficult to come by.
2. Yes, I would stick with XP SP2 for now. You will notice a marked improvement over Athlon XP chips.
3. Not sure. I think details about how Microsoft will handle XP 64-bit are sketchy at best.

 

[pappadj]

thanks for the quick reply Mr.Chad, I assume a marked improvement means slight but significant?

 

[pappadj]

Oh, I think I missed my answer to #3... looks like it's a no go from 32 to 64. no big deal, dude just needs to keep things backed up with his DVD-R drive (seems like no matter how easy it is to back something up, it never gets done

Q. Will there be an upgrade path from 32-bit Windows XP Professional to Windows XP 64-Bit Edition?
A. Because Windows XP 64-Bit Edition requires entirely new hardware, there will be no upgrade from 32-bit operating systems to Windows XP 64-Bit Edition. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will be available through OEMs who offer Itanium-based hardware.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: pappadj
Oh, I think I missed my answer to #3... looks like it's a no go from 32 to 64. no big deal, dude just needs to keep things backed up with his DVD-R drive (seems like no matter how easy it is to back something up, it never gets done

Q. Will there be an upgrade path from 32-bit Windows XP Professional to Windows XP 64-Bit Edition?
A. Because Windows XP 64-Bit Edition requires entirely new hardware, there will be no upgrade from 32-bit operating systems to Windows XP 64-Bit Edition. Windows XP 64-Bit Edition will be available through OEMs who offer Itanium-based hardware.

Wrong XP 64-bit. Itanium is not x86-based, hence no upgrade path.

Link to AMD64 XP beta

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

The Microsoft manager in charge of the WinXP64 (for x86-64 not Itanium 64bit) said that Microsoft would probably allow a free upgrade license from XP Professional to XP64 Professional so I would definitely go with the XP Pro 32bit right now and enjoy stable 32bit performance and then upgrade to the 64bit XP Pro when it hits retail (or OEM as they may only sell it that way). The hardware will work completely in 32bit in the WOW layer of XP64 so you don't need to upgrade your hardware for XP64 from XP Pro 32bit. I would download and install the 64bit drivers for the chipset/graphics card/soundcard etc. as they become available though.

Remember there is a 64bit MS OS for Itanium and an upcoming 64bit OS for x86-64 from MS. Don't confuse the two and make sure to get the MS XP64 for x86-64 systems. Itanium is not a x86 native instruction processor

 

[pappadj]

Thank you Chad and Michael, that cleared up a lot for me. 32bit XP it is and I'll research more about the WOW layer. Interesting that the 32bit XP will accept a 64bit driver. I think I understand how this works as probably the OS is being emulated in 32bit mode but applications, drivers, etc that support 64 bit instructions will run native. I think I got that straight... my mind is stuck in the 32bit mold that I've been accoustomed too for too long.... unplug neo!

 

[MrChad]

michaelpatrick's post is a bit confusing. 32-bit XP will not support any 64-bit software, including drivers. 64-bit XP requires 64-bit drivers, but can run both 32- and 64-bit software.

 

[kEnToNjErOmE]

Stick with the 32 bit version for the time being

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: MrChad
1. No, it's still in beta. Drivers are difficult to come by.
2. Yes, I would stick with XP SP2 for now. You will notice a marked improvement over Athlon XP chips.
3. Not sure. I think details about how Microsoft will handle XP 64-bit are sketchy at best.

Just a SMALL note on number 2, the improvement in performance in 32bit is due to a few optimizations AMD made to the whole chip (SSE2/3 memory access improvements..). Its not becuase its a 64bit chip that its faster.