64 bit

[douglasb]

to be able to run a 64 bit OS do all your components need to be special 64 bit parts? or is there no such thing?

[Webby]

All modern components are 64 bit compatible the only issue would be driver issues but on the whole the majority are available. Worth checking though if you have anything unusual.

[UseItNow]

As far as I am aware your CPU needs to be able to execute 64bit instructions, everything else is just standard components. You would just need to make sure you have all 64bit drivers for your components such as the motherboard, graphics cards, sound card, keyboards, mice, etc.

I'm sure one of our experts can clear this up perfectly.

Edit: Webby beat me to it, there you go.

[aidanjt]

Yes, any Intel CPU with E64MT support, or any Athlon 64 series CPU is needed to run a x86_64 (or x64) OS.

[douglasb]

do most components come with a 64bit version of their driver? and are they that much harder to find?
also are there any disadvantages of a 64bit system?

[aidanjt]

Yes, No, and No (other than a trivial increase in memory use).

[ikix]

I think its just the CPU that needs to be compatible, as everyone has already said

I initially had loads of compatibility issues with my XP 64-bit, but as time has gone past they are very far and few between now, and even when on the ocassion that there is there is usually a realtively easy fix to it. With Vista 64-bit (if thats what your getting) it is meant to have more support than XP 64-bit got so the issues should theoretically be very minimal, less than XP. However i don't have Vista but just worth noting .

64-bit has definately been an improvement to my system, many games seem to run much better than they did on 32-bit on the exact same computer, well worth it IMO.