WinXP Pro x64???

In an on-line conversation somewhere else, I stated that I chose my MoBo and processor to facilitate upgrading to a 64 bit OS and dual-core CPU when they become practical for me. The person on the other end stated that they were going to reinstall their WinXP x64 OS because they missed the faster operation it gave them. Because they were comparing x32 to x64 operation, they had to be speaking of x32 apps.

My first reaction was that someone was trying to pack my a$$ with snow. My understanding was that there is no advantage to the x64 OS without 64 bit apps to run. After looking around some, I find the hint that it might be able to speed 32 bit apps up somewhat.

While I have no 64 bit apps yet, I could upgrade to a few that are now available within the next year or two.

So, my initial questions:
1. Does [can] WinXP x64 make any appreciable improvement in the running of x32 apps?

2. Will the existing x32 drivers for my existing internal and external components need replacement with x64 specific drivers,...if available?

3.If I decide to try it, I should be able to slip it in on top of WinXP Pro x32 as a dual-boot, right?

Thx for any thoughts on this.

 

I have used X64 during its beta test for a year when MS gave away the free beta license.

it DOES improve upon any activity, mainly because it was entirely reworked and many flaws inherent in the standard 32 bit WindowsXP were fixed. I'd mainly attribute the increase in speed of 32 bit appications to the FAR superior memory management of X64, not to mention that you are running 32 bit apps in a 64 bit environment, so you arent fully utilizing the cpu cycle, and background processes do not seem to interfere nearly as much.

Having stated the benefits i saw, here is why I will not buy x64 and make the switch:

Driver support is severely lacking. As you suspected, you will need 64 bit drivers for all your devices. Most of them are available with a bit of hunting, but other things (TV cards for example) are few and far between, and generic drivers dont work to par.

Also, things you wouldnt think about off the top of your head require 64 bit updates-- Divx and Xvid codecs, as well as other video and even audio codecs require 64 bit verisons to work well. The 32 bit versions WILL work, but they will be emulated in 32 bit mode and the quality was not close to how it is in 32 bit windows. Last i checked there was a 64 bit Xvid codec, and i'm sure tehre are more now.. but it was those little things that stopped me from switching.

If you're not a power user, x64 should be fine. In basic operation, i felt it was MUCH faster and better managed than 32 bit XP. Unforunately MS has very limited support for X64, its been abandoned for Vista.

 

Top 10 benefits of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/top10.mspx


Can you benefit from adopting Windows XP Professional x64 Edition?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/benefit.mspx

Sorry, for the canned reply.

 

Thx for the replies guys. They are helping my thoughts on this to gel. While I was talking in terms of WinXP, I was actually thinking in terms of Vista and it's x64 version. I am of the opinion that it's too late in the WinXP cycle to seriously think of converting over to the x64 version.

In less than 6 mos. Vista should be on the shelves. But, I won't be tempted to change over before most of the initial bugs are worked out ... say, about it's first SP release if it follows the usual pattern. I had WinXP in hand for about 18 mos before I installed it for the first time. I'm not what you might call a rabid early adapter.

My main reason for an interest in this is that I am having memory problems while processing several large graphics files at once in a few apps. It really galls me to have 2GB of RAM with virtual memory maxed and then to run out of memory before an operation can complete. One of the offending apps is now available in 64 bit. I'm thinking that that plus an x64 OS should fix the problem.

My big concern is if there will be drivers for some of my hardware. the impression I'm getting is that a lot of hardware will be abandoned in the change over. But, a dual-boot system should cover that eventuality. After all, I did run WinXP behind Win98se for about 6 to 9 mos. before I finally made the complete conversion.

I'm wondering about how the diference in WinXP's and Vista's memory management might conflict in a dual-boot situation while trying to set my hardware up to take advantage of Vista's capacities to run the memory hog apps. I suspect that I'll be limited to 4GB of RAM as long as XP is on the PC.

Still asking for thoughts and opinions on the subject.
Thx

 

As the happy owner of this x64 system, I've got to say that I haven't found these problems bad at all. I got everything I needed, driver-wise. The only one I had to hunt even the slightest bit for was my video card drivers.

As for codecs, I use VLC Media Player (x86), and never NEED codecs! I've never noticed the slightest loss in quality. Its lightweight, and free, and has played every video file I've ever come across. I rate this as a must have.

It is true though that x64 apps aren't as widely available, but they are out there. I posted about it once, and I got this thread full of wonderful responses. I've got all the security apps I could hope for in x64 edition, and I'm getting more and more useful programs all the time. Not to mention, problems installing x86 apps are seldom. I have noticed a couple that do not recognize the OS as XP (they see it as Windows 2003 - go figure), but I never tried changing the compatibility mode in the properties of the setup file when I came across it. When I have changed the compatibility mode to windows XP, I've had no problems.

I'm very happy with the system. It performs SO well.

 

Windows Vista should have much more driver support than XP X64 does-- obviously as it is the next major MS OS. I dont know enough to tell if 32 bit Vista and 64 bit Vista will have different memory management, but since 64 bit will be fully supported, it would be silly not to utilize it if you have a 64 bit capable CPU.

As far as the dual boot goes, i dont believe having XP on there would interfere with Vista at all, except for anything that might arise from being forced to run the NTFS file system, as opposed to Vista native file system. (EFS i believe?)

in reference to your comments Mada_Milty, yes VLC is an option, but It wasnt for me. I'm picky and dont like being bound to one media utility, i think all my desired media players should be able to rely on the codecs I supply, so everything works across the board (as it does in XP 32 bit). X64 is certainly a great OS for some people, I'm just not one of them

 

I am a bit confused with this 64bit stuff.
I just purchased a new machine with dual processor. I am assuming it is is a 64bit system as the mfgr has never corrected me when I discused 64bit issues with them.

According to "my Compuiter" I am running windows xp home (no indication that it is running xp64.

Can I be running win xp home on a 64bit dual processor computer?

Here is my real issue. The computer came without a fax modem (neither card nor integrated). I use fax modem software to send faxes. I can send faxes to regular fax machines but not to a fax service like Maxemail (and I assume the same problem will exist with Efax) I can dial but cannot get the parameters.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Neil

 

Your machine is 64 bit capible, however there are NO machines that I know of shipping with Windows XP X64 edition, as it is not fully supported by Microsoft. A 64 bit machine has no trouble running a 32 bit operating system, as is the case with your system.

as for the modem, your best bet is to make a new thread on that matter.