trendy

I'm pondering getting a 64bit OS as to fully take advantage of 4gb+ of RAM, but what am I getting myself into?

Questions:

1) XP Pro 64 or Vista 64?
2) Does either have significant problems with Nvidia drivers, wireless drivers, etc?
3) Does performance suffer if I install a 32bit program? Can I even install them?
4) Where can I find a "supported hardware" list?

+rep for replys, thanks.

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SAVAGE!!!

1.At this point in time I would go vista x64
2.I am not sure on the Nvidia drivers, but ati work vrery well. Depends what wireless card you have. I have a linksys and I had minor trouble, but now is all solved.
3.You can install a 32 bit program. There is not really a performance hit, I have not noticed one at all, everthing seems more zippy with the x64 os.
4. http://www.planetamd64.com/index.php?act=idx i go here sometimes, not just for AMD though.

Mostly all hardware is supported. There are some apps that will not work. As for a virus scanner there are Nod32, Avast, Mcafee Enterprise, and Norton might have a x64 one, not sure.

__________________
92% of teens have moved on to rap. If you are part of the 8% who still listen to real music, copy and paste this.
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On my way to 500FSB!
3D06-6400-Vista

The Hundred Gunner

1) XP x64 isn't really even supported by MS. They just kinda threw it out there to say "Ok, alright, here's a 64-bit OS, sheesh" (cuz Linux and OSX were 64 bit long before XP). I would honestly go Vista 64 bit, even though i've not yet used it.

2) XP x64 doesn't have nvidia driver problems, but last time i checked (which was a while ago), wireless devices didn't have any support. With my setup, however, i was able to find drivers for everything i had. And I'm sure 64-bit support is much better by now.

3) Performance of 32-bit programs is actually a bit worse on 64-bit OSs. I got slower Super Pi scores, lower 3D mark scores and lower FPS (by about 5-10 average) in games using a 64-bit OS. As more 64-bit programs come out, though, you should see a big performance increase.

4) A site called "planetAMD64" or something like that had a supported hardware and software list, i believe.

Some 32-bit programs will not work. PlanetAMD64 has a list of working and not-working software titles (i'm sure it doesn't have every program in the world, but...), but the majority are compatible.

All in all, my experience with XP x64 was good. The OS was solid and all; more stable than XP 32-bit if you ask me. I got the OS through MS's "Technology Advancement Program," so i only payed $10 for shipping. I would NOT, however, have payed the full $150 for the OS. Support on MS's side isn't great, and i hear they're going to discontinue support for it soon. SP2 just came out, however.

I would probably go with Vista x64, as Vista and 64 bit are the future. Creative, nVidia (i think) and most of the other big names have drivers for it, and the benefits of x64 should see through in the end.

SAVAGE!!!

My super Pi times got better by like a half of second. lol

__________________
92% of teens have moved on to rap. If you are part of the 8% who still listen to real music, copy and paste this.
3.15 E6300 1MPi-17.52s
On my way to 500FSB!
3D06-6400-Vista

The Hundred Gunner

Mine increased (got worse) by about a second, my 3D 03 scores were about 1K less and my FPS average in Doom3 Time Demo were about 10FPS less.

SAVAGE!!!

Wow, I have yet to run 3d mark, I will report back!
Hrmm lost 122 points.

__________________
92% of teens have moved on to rap. If you are part of the 8% who still listen to real music, copy and paste this.
3.15 E6300 1MPi-17.52s
On my way to 500FSB!
3D06-6400-Vista

trendy

Thanks for the replies guys! I'm getting the Vista x64 then.

If it'll run 32bit programs and games don't loose toooo much FPS, I'm good. Currently I only really play BF2142 (max settings, about 90fps average) and Enemy Territory (can pull 250+ FPS on this old engine game, but lock it at 76), so I should be good.

Edit: Is Ultimate worth it? Or should I just get Home Premium?

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The Hundred Gunner

Are you going OEM or retail or upgrade or what? And how much are you willing to pay?

Ultimate (retail and upgrade) comes with both x86 and x64 editions on one DVD. Ultimate OEM you choose one or the other.
Retail i think is $400, Upgrade $260 or something like that, and OEM is $200.

As for Premium, you only get 32-bit in retail or upgrade (you can trade MS for a 64-bit for $10 later), or when you get OEM you can choose one or the other.
Retail is $260 i think, upgrade $160 and OEM $120-130.

Take your pick! The only differences i know of that are stated on that MS comparison chart is the extra encryption and backup features in Ultimate. Home Premium has all the media center features you want. Maybe also the remote desktop connection, but i haven't read much into that.