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Thread: Windows XP x64 - worth it atm?

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    Windows XP x64 - worth it atm?

    I just downloaded the 120-day trial for Windows XP Pro 64-bit edition from the Microsoft site and am not sure whether to install it or not. I know the trial is a trial for a reason, but I need some encouragement to do a format and reinstall.

    From anyone else's experience, is it worth even giving it a go right now? I use my PC for gaming mostly, but also general usage and CAD work.

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    Hexus.net Troll Dougal's Avatar
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    I found a performance boost when using x64. But I have rolled back to standard at the moment.

    I need conexant to get their finger out their arse and produce drivers.
    Quote Originally Posted by Errr...me
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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    doing what did you find a performance boost ?
    It is Inevitable.....


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    I dont think its worth it yet as theres hardly anything that supports x64 yet, wait a couple of months then try, where will be loads of apps, drivers for x64 soon.

    phil

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    Hexus.net Troll Dougal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ikonia
    doing what did you find a performance boost ?
    Booting I found to be faster, and doing PS work was a lot faster, as was game load times.
    Quote Originally Posted by Errr...me
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    Agent of the System ikonia's Avatar
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    the PS stuff I can sort of understand altough I wouldn't have expected the "loads" faster that you mentioned as photoshop is still a 32bit app being used by a 64bit OS.

    the load time also surprises me, as does the games more so with the games as these are again 32bit so wouldn't be able to make use of the 64bit registers.
    It is Inevitable.....


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    Seething Cauldron of Hatred TheAnimus's Avatar
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    its not as straight cut as it been faster because its 64bit.

    You have to remeber that they've (CPU peeps) made certain instructions faster, and windows has been compiled to be optimized to use this to full effect. As such you might find in 32bit mode, calling the 32bit api such as CreateWindow is actually faster. Not to do with the fact its 64bit, but just beceause the 32bit instruction is faster, or the code is better optermized in 64bit edition, than in 32bit edition.
    throw new ArgumentException (String, String, Exception)

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    lazy student nvening's Avatar
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    well im gunna go try it and then try vist when i get it
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

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    yeah sack it, i'm just gonna give it a go. wish me luck.

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    So, it's installed and going fine. Windows itself doesn't seem to be any smoother but load times have decreased slightly. Installed and ran Battlefield 2 and that is noticeably smoother, and was quicker in the load (incredibly long load times for this game, so its easier to notice). The only problem I'm having is getting a decent firewall (ZoneAlarm doesn't support x64 yet) and Diskeeper doesn't work, so I've had to go for O&O.

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    lazy student nvening's Avatar
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    What antivirus u running? cause avast is good and free and has a 64bit version.

    Im going to it cause i found a printer driver
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
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    Yeah I got Avast. I liked AVG more though, but I'm happy. What's also interesting, is that when I was running BF2 before I moved to x64, my processor's temp (according to Asus Probe) topped at 55 degrees, that temperature has now dropped by about 4 degrees. I know Probe isn't accurate in terms of the actual temperature, but a drop is a drop. Pretty cool.

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    Quote Originally Posted by altitude2k
    ...
    and Diskeeper doesn't work, so I've had to go for O&O.
    Diskeeper works fine, you just need one of the Server editions unfortunately - the regular domestic one doesn't work at all. I've got XP x64 on both the Athlon64 machines in this house, I've found it to be generally a little snappier, plus I like the feeling that if I wanted, I could take advantage of the extended registers and things now.

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    i have bought it but uninstalled it because battlefield 2 kept crashing so i went back to xp and found that it was nothing to do with xp x64 but im going to give a while longer before i reinstall it just because im waiting for more applications...

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