[Xionor]

I'm about to buy a new CPU - Athlon64.
So I was wondering wether it was better for me to get Windows x64 - being a 64-bit edition and all,supposedly work better with my new CPU...or should I stick to the good old XP Home/Professional editions?

I really don't know what the benefits from x64 are at all...infact I know extremely little about it so any input would be kindly appreciated.

Title edited -- Please, use [TAGS] in your topic's title.
Please follow XP Forum Rules from now on.
--Sonic

[ripken204]

well im using x64 and its great. u just need to make sure that you find drivers for all of your devices, which i have found for myself. it will run more responsive, i say go for it.

[Xionor]

Are there special drivers for x64 or do the normal XP drivers work with them too?
Also, aren't the x64 default drivers any good? Currently i'm using XP Pro's default sound drivers, which are infact better than my manufacturer's ones since they give a lot less problems.

[LLXX]

You'll notice the difference between 32-bit and 64-bit only if you run programs that take advantage of the additional features of 64-bit mode. Otherwise the experience is almost identical.

[cluberti]

Yes, you need 64bit drivers on a 64bit OS. You'll also need 64bit versions of your antivirus software, and any antispyware applications you may use.

Check your hardware and applications before making the plunge - if you can find x64 drivers for your hardware, and your software is x64 compatible (or comes in 64bit versions), you'll be fine.

[Xionor]

Does this mean x32 applications won't work as well, or even at all, under XP x64?

[cluberti]

Most do run just fine in x64 Windows, but there are some that do not. Also, if your 32bit program has an older 16bit installation routine, it won't install.

The reason you need 64bit antivirus is because antivirus software use file-system filter drivers to do their magic (or evil, depending on how you view it), and 32bit filter drivers are not allowed to install on x64 versions of Windows.

[TravisO]

Software is still too immature for a 64bit desktop, plus you won't see any speed benefit. You only benefit from 64bit when using apps on a large scale (ex: SQL Server 2005) and not even things like Photoshop would benefit much unless you were to edit excessively large 8gig images. Not to mention people complain about driver support in 64bit and game compatibility issues.

Look at it this way... what does a desktop gain from 64bit in today's software: nothing

So if you gain nothing but can have game & driver issues, it's a BAD upgrade

[Xionor]

Thanks for all the input!

P.S. Sorry for the tag thingie - I thought the [Question] thing described what the "?" was...*cough* ... No I'm not a blonde female...

[Andromeda43]

Xionor,
It would sound, from your question that you don't have much history with Microsoft operating systems.

Every time there's been a major upgrade to the OS, there have been a g'zillion problems, from user ignorance, to software incompatibilities, to hardware driver issues, etc.

When I did the major jump from windows 98/SE to Windows XP-pro, I had to replace my Modem, Sound Card and Scanner. This was easy for me, since I had the parts on the shelf, but for many people that would be a total disaster.

Whenever a new OS is finally released (not a beta version) it comes with its own built in problems.
It's always best to sit back, relax and let the Guru's iron out the problems.

I waited several years from the time XP was released till I finally installed it. And, I still had problems.

For a non-technical user, I'd advise a lot of waiting, watching and reading.

Good Luck,
Morbius

[Xionor]

Actually, I do have a lot of Windows experience.
My first Windows was the 3.11(!).After that, as time came by, I moved on to 95. Then I switched to 98 , later on to ME. Now I've been going on XP for about 3-4 years with no service packs or anything(At least on my computer, they just slowed things down a lot and made windows a lot heavier.)

But I was just completely ignorant of x64, so better be safe now than sorry later.

This post has been edited by Xionor: 08 March 2006 - 02:29 AM

[Thunderbolt 2864]

I'll stick to normal Windows XP. x64 gave me a headache, won't be installing it for now.