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I'm looking for some advice.
I have a 64bit dual core computer that is currently running XP pro 32bit. I run a lot of distributed computing programs (BOINC for those who are into it) and believe I would get way better performance out of a 64bit OS. I am not too keen on Vista yet so I was wondering what are your thoughts/experiences on XP 64bit?
My 2 main areas of concern are application compatibility and drivers.
Thanks :)
Is BOINC, or more specifically, the projects that use BOINC written for a 64 bit operating system.
As far as I aware they are not in which case there will be no advantage in using a 64 bit operating system. They will take advantage of the dual core though.
Stuart
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XP x64 has more driver issues that Vista 64.
Just because you have a 64-bit processor doesn't mean you need a 64-bit OS...& you don't need a 64-bit OS unless you're gonna run 64-bit software. And if you do decide to run a 64-bit OS, you *may* have problems running 32-bit apps.
"And that's the fishing line, because Sharkboy said so!"
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yeah the reason was because I wanted to run 64bit distributed computing apps like SETI@home. Normally, with apps like that, they compute quite a bit faster on 64bit platforms.
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I have been running Win XP x64 for over two years and there are no driver issue. This is pure FUD put out by the unwashed masses who have never tried x64.
Ever since the beta version of x64, AMD have had a driver list for most major hardware companies that had x64 drivers.
All I can say to the OP is give it a go if you want something different. I liked the OS that much that I bought a new copy and put it on my new computer I had built last November...
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"There are some common issues that arise with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
* Driver compatibility; Only 64-bit kernel mode drivers are supported. This means that devices for which there are no 64-bit drivers available cannot be used.
* Any 32-bit Windows Explorer extension fails to work with 64-bit Windows Explorer. Explorer is a 64-bit program, so it cannot load a 32-bit DLL. However, Windows XP x64 Edition also ships with the 32-bit explorer.exe, which can be used as the user's default shell with a registry change.
* Any 16-bit programs will not run (32-bit software with 16-bit installers based on ACME Setup versions 2.6, 3.0, 3.01, and 3.1 and InstallShield versions 5.x will run correctly)
* Command prompts will not load in full-screen. This is also true of Windows Vista in both 32 and 64 bit editions.
* Some (typically older) programs have 16-bit installers that will not install on the x64 Edition
* No native support for Type 1 fonts.
* Windows Media Player 11 for this version of Windows unusually runs as a 32-bit application. The only use for the specific release of Windows Media Player 11 is that the other applications such as Media Sharing do in fact, run 64-bit. Mini player mode on the taskbar is not available (except with the 32-bit explorer.exe).
* ID3 tag information from music files are not viewable in the Windows Explorer.
* Does not contain a Web Extender Client component for Web Folders (WebDAV)."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window...
"And that's the fishing line, because Sharkboy said so!"
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thanks for the advice folks. Still not sure if I want to switch or not. I guess I could just clone my current install, so I can go back, in case I don't like x64.
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Top 10 benefits of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
In reality, the benefits outlined above did hardly anything or at best, very little, to demonstrate the potential advantage(s) of upgrading to the 64-Bit OS with the rampant & somewhat valid speculation of sub-par driver & application support as well as imminent compatibility issues.
With Vista x64, driver & application support has indeed vastly improved as hinted by jam, perhaps so much to have inadvertently generated misconceptions regarding the latest & most stable x64 OS out there.I am running XP Pro x32 & Vista Ultimate x64 on this machine, and I must admit: I have not had one compatibility issue -- driver or otherwise -- with Vista x64. IHMO, if you are planning to switch to a 64-Bit OS, I would recommend doing so with Vista rather than with Windows XP, which would be more like a side step.
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that's very interesting Sabertooth. Most of what I hear (here or offline) is that Vista sucks etc...
I've run Vista on my PC at one point so I know it works and the drivers are there for the 64bit version. I just assumed that XP 64 would be better liked by everyone LOL
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Every OS allegedly sucks at debut: it's the nature of the beast.
In fact, it would seem like the longer the hiatus between the newer & the preceding OS, the louder the complaint - as is clearly the case with Vista.
Fortunately, the message is also crystal clear to M$, as the next OS (Windows 7) shouldn't take that long to be completed. There is even an M1 (Milestone-1) video floating around as I post this & you can bet your money that it is going to suck once released .... LOL!
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most of the problem with Vista was the hype. It was hyped up way more than it could produce. It's not that it really sucks per-se it's just that it didn't live up to the hype.
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