Ok I just upgrade my computer with a Athlon 64 3500+. I decided i wanna take full advantage of the 64bit so I went with XP pro x64...the OS is fast as hell but I never had the chance to test out the new CPU on the normal xp pro 32 bit. My problem is the 64bit OS isnt compatible with a lot of old driver and software, even with softwares that are compatible...a lot of time the installer app isn't.

My question is, is the 64bit faster than the 32bit OS? I'm thinking about uninstalling it and going back to the old 32bit so i can run all my program and driver. If it is faster, then I might just stick with x64 and HOPE Microsoft come out with something that will run my old software.

 

I doubt you will be able to tell much difference in 32-bit mode. Windows x64 is a nice idea but the support via drivers and apps just isn't there yet I don't think for most people.

 

Yes its faster, but only if you have all 64bit code. For average home users, you are better off running the 32bit for now until more stuff comes out on 64bit.

 

I pretty much only used the Adobe Creative Suite and gaming. ya think the 64bit OS would help on that?

 

or until Vista comes out.

 

everything i need works. the only thing that I noticed that doesnt work so far is MS Virtual PC and the driver for my Motorola V3 phone.

 

 

Coulnd't have said it better, you need 64 bit apps to make use of it.

 

but the Windows XP 64 is code in 64bit, would that version be faster than the 32 bit Windows XP?

 

As someone said earlier, all your apps would have to be true 64bit as well to really take advantage of it. If you want to try it out, and you have some 64bit apps in mind, then just setup a dual boot.

When your installing XP Pro (32bit), instead of selectring the drive and just hitting ENTER, press C to create partition. Then give it about 50% to 75% of your total drive space.
Then when you go to do the XP64 install, select the remaining space and install it there.

I have that setup at home, and I'm very impressed with nVidia and the fact that they have most of their drivers available in both 32 and 64, including the new versions. You can get the nForce drivers and the GeForce drivers this way. I think its all the little peripheral devices (like jimmy's phone) that wil cause the most problems for people.


As for the 64bit Gaming, no current game (that I know of) supports 64bit native. I heard that Valve will be the first when they release the 64bit Source engine and recompile 2 of their games to run in native 64bit mode.

 

And for all your information.

XP 64bit is Windows 2003 Professional. So if there is a driver that says Windows 2003 x64 then it will work.

type in ver in a command prompt.

 

I have both 32 and 64 bit on a dual boot.

I dont notice any difference on most programs. However, programs that are memory intensive (2 or 3 gigs+ of RAM) do benefit on 64 bit. I only have a few programs that are 64 bit, so I retain my 32 bit setup.

BTW, I can game on both OS's and dont notice a difference.