Windows x64

[paradigm_shift]

Does anybody here own or would recommend an upgrade to the 64-bit version of Windows XP? I recently got my AMD 64 chip, hoping that I can utilize it's functionality in a 64-bit enviornment. However, I am aware of a few compatability issues with some of the 32-bit software currently available (maybe in time those can be patched up with new code).

[Arnobius]

I have a 64 bit processor and am currently waiting on X64. From what I am told, it is not a matter of just upgrading from one version to the next. It's a bare version of windows and all your drivers and such need to be backed up and then reinstalled once X64 is installed. I know I'm not that good to do that. I may wait for Vista to come out and pay someone to install it so I can take care of the 64 bit processor (I have a 754 pin Athlon 3700).

What I worry of is whether the current anti virus systems are able to cope with 64 bit processing without a security hole.

[Steeltemplar]

I would stay away from Windows XP 64bit. It's not only that some programs won't work. A lot of drivers are also non-existent. As well, you will see no appreciable difference in running non-64bit software. And I have seen almost no 64bit software available on the market at this time.

So it seems to me like a liability to which the benefits are far too few to justify taking it on.

[paradigm_shift]

I've only seen 64-bit drivers that are in the beta stage, mostly for audio and video cards. Microsoft also claims that the WOW64 emulator will run everything except 16-bit (DOS) software, but I am a little hesitant about that claim (considering how the 'compatability mode' in XP isn't quite as functional as it was said on paper).

Perhaps it would be better to wait until Vista?

I am hoping that applications will start to make a jump into the 64-bit platform, which might take many years for a complete transition.

[Arnobius]

I plan to wait for Vista, just to make sure there are no problems. I love XP, but X64 seems to be a dead end for Windows

[Mithrandir]

Even on some of the hardware that SAYS it's 64 bit OK, you can't always be sure. We've had nothing but problems at work with the 64 bit version of windows.

[Arnobius]

Well, it's good to get confirmation from someone who's actually been there. Definitely going to wait for Vista when the support is there.

[paradigm_shift]

From what I know, Linux has been 64-bit much longer than windows has and seems to be more compatable with many hardware drivers (probably because it's an open source OS). I've heard people getting about a 20 percent overall increase in performance compiling software in 64-bit Linux, when compared to 32-bit Linux.

Aside from the "switch to Linux" decision, I think I'll also be waiting for Vista to come out.

[Mithrandir]

Eh? 64 bit isn't all that usefull for most apps. I'm upgrading a special server at the moment, and moving to the 64 bit version of mysql. ONLY because the site in question contains more than 4 GB of data that need to be accessed, though. After slapping 8 gigs of ram in the box, it's worth it to look for the most optimal solution.

[Arnobius]

Well I was hoping that when 64bit OS comes out, new software could bring out faster rendering for video editing

[Chiyocities]

Right now I am running Windows XP 64 Pro. Nothing really different about it GUI-wise. It does include a 64-bit version of Internet Explorer, but I am a bit puzzled to know what for.

I do have BETA drivers running for most of my essential hardware. Mind you that about 3\4 of my peripheals work on x64 (things like my flatbed, film scanner, and digital camera do not have drivers ready). Though you can most definately compile 64-bit drivers to run on this machine, it's safe to say that they'll be available once the manufactures realize there is a demand for anything 64-bit.

After running the 64-bit version of Half-Life 2, I did notice a fairly dramatic increase in performance (went up about two resolutions past what I had been playing under). Anything that is CPU intensive will benefit from 64-bit code.

One big fuss with this OS is stability. Ever since I've upgraded my machine, I've noticed the OS shutting down almost randomly everytime it boots up. I have swapped three motherboards with different configurations and it still has this problem.

Compatability... let's just say that anything that barely ran on standard XP will NOT run on x64. Most of the software that was made for Windows 95 will not run, which is not surprising considering that the kernal has a few elements from DOS (which you will need an emulator to run on x64).

So now, I will eventually decide to reinstall everything back to 32-bit UNTIL there is a dire reason to run x64 (so waiting is the best bet).