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| Thread ID: 60071 | 2005-07-22 00:47:00 | 64bit computing? | pico (4752) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 374194 | 2005-07-22 00:47:00 | Hey I was reading last months pc world. I was especially interested in the review of 64bit motherboards. I asked a friend of mine which was faster a 64 bit chip or a 32 bit chip (same MHz rating) and he said they would be the same speed if I was running a 32bit operating system. Is this true because if it is then it doesn't make sense to change to 64 bit computing yet (I know they have released xp 64). Since it costs more for 64bit motherboard etc. Also I know that Linux has a 64bit operating system but can I still play Windows based games on it? The reason why I ask all this is because Oblivion is going to be coming out soon and I wan to make sure that my PC can run it reasonably. I will check my system specs tonight and post them here. Also is there a possibility of downloading the program used by PC World to benchmark PCs so I can see how good mine is currently. As I am wondering if it might be better to just to upgrade my graphics card. Any thought would be appreciated. :) | pico (4752) | ||
| 374195 | 2005-07-22 00:59:00 | Depends what u do, with the 64 bit system, I guess. On how fast it goes. And whether the program you're using is 64 bit compat. The only prob with 64 bit systems from what Ive read, are the drivers, for whatever you get. If u install a version of 64 bit Windows, it wont load / install 32 bit drivers. So, before u decide to assemble / make / buy. Make sure a 64 bit driver is available for whatever device u install. It depends on what 64 bit mobo u get. And what features it has onboard. On how much it'll cost. I would say AMD would be cheaper than Pentium based ones. I brought an ASUS AMD 64 bit mobo yesterday, for $108. The price wasnt that bad. |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 374196 | 2005-07-22 01:14:00 | 64bit computing is supposed to be backwards compatiable with 32bit computing. | CyberGeek (8008) | ||
| 374197 | 2005-07-22 01:24:00 | It's more future proofing than anything else. Soon game developers will make both 32 and 64 bit versions of games, so the 64 elite can actually harness the power of their computers. In a few years it'll be a lot harder finding 32bit dsoftware than 64bit | Edward (31) | ||
| 374198 | 2005-07-22 01:29:00 | Yeah the thing about future proofing: The thing I was wondering is if you can't really make full use of it now wouldn't be better to spend the money when you can make use of it. Instead of when 64bit computing has really taken hold and then your system is already out of date? | pico (4752) | ||
| 374199 | 2005-07-22 01:31:00 | Yup 64 bit will run 32 bit programs, not a prob . BUT this isnt the case for the drivers . 64 bit systems need 64 bit drivers, not 32 bit drivers . It'll most probably have probs, (if u try to install 32 bit drivers), or it will refuse to install 32 bit drivers at all . |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 374200 | 2005-07-22 01:35:00 | Also I agree that AMD seems the better way to go as their stuff seems to give you more bang for buck (I have only ever owned one system of my own and it is a athlon 2600+ based system). So I was thinking along those lines anyway. I guess I just have to wait and see if there is a 64bit version of the game as I don't really want to have problems with dirivers etc as I am not ready to throw money at a new operating system yet (since Longhorn is probably not too far away, or is it?). I was thinking of upgrading the guts of my computer, buying a new case and putting my old system in it and running Linux on it. But it maybe less cost effective than just upgrading the graphics card. | pico (4752) | ||
| 374201 | 2005-07-22 02:59:00 | It will probably pay to wait a while, unless you must be on the bleeding edge. They haven't got the bugs out of 32-bit software yet, so it might be a while before the 64-bit stuff settles down. ;) It was well known that 32-bit wasn't enough precision for scientific calculations, but IBM chose 32 for the 360 series, anyway. Floating point units for 64-bit must be a horrific design problem. Intel managed to build a few oopses in the 32-bit FPPs. The main "justification" for going to 64-bits is the enormous memory space. My feeling is that if programmes are too big for 32-bits, they are too big and will collapse under their own weight. :( |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 374202 | 2005-07-22 05:18:00 | No, wrong, it WONT run _all_ 32-bit programs. I threw in my old Jedi Knight CD's that ran fine under WinXP x86, but not under WinXP x64! Its NOT 100% compatible by any means! I can run certain things, but not others. Drivers are another example. There were NONE that I could find for my SB!Live Soundcard in WinXP x64, nor my TV-Tuner Card (saa7134-based). Personally I'd suggest if you're going 64-bit (And the performance on an optimised linux system is bl00dy marvelous) then this is one of the few times Id suggest people wait. Wait for more 64-bit drivers. I had a ***** of a time getting my ATi 9250 going with non-standard drivers. In the end I used some un-official 64-bit drivers put out by a hobbiest group. Drivers and WinXP x64 just suck overall Programs, some will, some wont. Like I said, the old Jedi Knight (From back in the days of Win98) didnt work, and Ive noticed a few other programs just give me random errors and fail to install altogether. Just little things like DVD region-Free, Alcohol 120% etc etc As for performance, have a look at my Sig. I can honestly say that if I _wasnt_ running Gentoo Linux (Yeah, again, Im finnaly sorted after 3 weeks - Read my sig) that I would be horrifically disappointed. In fact I was. Nothing was going right and I was about ready to throw it out the window! Luckily I realised my problem with Linux (Download FC4 x64 if you're keen to try it) and now its working perfectly with my SB!Live, my TV Tuner works... I can even run that old Jedi Knight game under Cedega just fine :) Final words: If you're not running linux, stick with the x86 version of WinXP, its just not worth it otherwise... yet! Future proofing sure, but how far off is this future that you're anticipating? |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 374203 | 2005-07-22 05:48:00 | A mate in Mirc was saying last night, he's using 64 bit . The only program atm, that doesnt work properly (or not at all) is Zonealarm . |
Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
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