themasterjosh

June 11, 2009 at 10:54am

Microsofts Zune software isn't available on 64 bit XP but is available on Vista x64.

thecliogeek

June 07, 2009 at 7:11am

I have been using 64bit xp pro for years and never really had an issue.  I have yet to see a driver I can't get.  I even played Everquest 1, 2, QuildWars, Vanguard, FryCry 1, 2 and more and NEVER had an issue.  What I did/do notice is that everything WILL run better memory wise.  I use Win7 64bit RC now on an i7 and 6 gb of ram and have yet to come close to using it all at one time.  I guess if you did HD video editing you could but 99% of users won't neeed over that.  I use an older HP printer, old Kodak camera, any of the cell phones I have never had an issue with accessing files or use on them.  The biggest thing is YOU have to learn that most driver disks are useless with a 64 bit OS.  Go to the website of manufacturer and look it up.  I have also used Creative sound cards forever with a 64 bit OS and haven't had an issue.  If you can't figure it out, take it to a shop in your area and they will do it for you.  If it was that big of an issue, it would have been fixed. Yes, there may be some still with issues, but they will be rare.  If you can't find a driver/program for your 64 bit OS, Use a better company for your parts/programs. But don't complain that it is still buggy or has major issues.

I say this for one reason...  take the plunge.  Chances are you won't have any issues. 

 

wetjet550

May 11, 2009 at 12:27pm

I went 64 bit about 2 years ago with xp. After you load your system up with 12 gigs of ddr3 memory, you'll never go back either! (Considering you have a mobo that will support 12gigs of ddr3!)

rob41

April 22, 2009 at 9:01pm

Good advice doctor.

I was a XP holdout but I now enjoy the improvements made to Vista.  There are a lot of tweaks that greatly improve it's function and usefulness.

Additionally, your games and benchmarks will see a little improvement now that sp1 is in place.

atomaweapon

April 21, 2009 at 1:03pm

I think you guys should have a big article in the mag about moving to 64 bit. I've searched for good articles on the pros and cons and have come up short. Im interested in everything from games running to drivers and would be nice to get a defintive reliable article from someone who's really pretty it through the paces.

Keith E. Whisman

April 20, 2009 at 12:56pm

I guess it depends on your own skills but my experience with 64bit computing has been a very happy one and a very fun transistion. It sure did take a long long time. But so did 16bit OS's to 32bit.

If your programs are not compatible and you got these programs a long time ago I would say it's time to get the latest versions.

If you decide not to upgrade to 64bit don't go out into the world and complain that 64bit Vista is a piece of crap because it wont run my 15year old software. I'm sick of hearing from people like that and you know who you are. Upgrade already. I'm sorry you paid $1500dollars for that software. Your going to have to do it again. Get over it.

We've upgraded from the Enterprise of the 1960's Original Series to the Enterprise of The Next Generation the D model. Get with the program mister. 

Keith E. Whisman

April 20, 2009 at 12:29pm

If you want your programs to have access to more than 2.5 to 3gigs of memory and you have more memory then that then you do need a 64bit operating system. I use 64bit Vista, 64bit Win7 beta and 64bit Ubuntu in a triple boot with 8gigs ram.

santosmm

April 20, 2009 at 8:03am

It's necessary to have XP or Vista x64 running in a PC with more than 2GB on memory???

It's possible to have a 4, 6, 8 or new 16GB emory PC running under x32 SO ???

pcfxer

April 20, 2009 at 6:52am

[quote]64-bit XP never really got the support it deserved from software developers and hardware makers.[/quote]

 

Based on what? A few niche hardware devices aren't supported, big deal. I am using a printer, digital camera, etc. without any issues on PC-BSD amd64 and Windows x64. 64-bit XP had great support since two-three years ago. Before then, support was shoddy.

 Even when you choose to search for drivers on nVidia's website the drop down box defaults Windows x64 XP. XP x64 is based on Windows Server 2003 anyhow, so you get a much more solidified platform.