Political Crossfire Forums

Sid · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 4612 Location: Kansas

I know 64-bit machines are staticly far superior to 32-bit machines, but is there an acctual practical application to all that power? I've been looking into it, and when reading review and such I've come across a few that say "drivers are too hard to find" and "It doesn't run everything". So I'm asking, if I'm to build a gaming computer, which should I get?

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 19050

Sid wrote: I know 64-bit machines are staticly far superior to 32-bit machines, but is there an acctual practical application to all that power? I've been looking into it, and when reading review and such I've come across a few that say "drivers are too hard to find" and "It doesn't run everything". So I'm asking, if I'm to build a gaming computer, which should I get?

Multi-tasking.

64.

No problems ever with drivers.

David · Joined: 28 Dec 2003 Posts: 12385 Location: Louisiana

No problems with drivers?You planning on getting a new Mobo that uses EFI ( extensible firmware interface) instead of BIOS?Windows doesn't support, and the new Vista won't support EFI so you need to be sure before you buy or build.

Right now there are no programs that are capable of using the 64bit processors but they are on the horizon so if you can afford it,get it.

Angela · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:05 am Post subject:

I don’t think games specifically tailored for 64 bits CPU will come soon. If you’re planning to build a gaming machine perhaps you would spend the difference between a 32 and a 64 bits in a better graphic card that’s a bigger bottleneck than the PCU power for gaming

Patriot911 · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 6937 Location: Denver, CO

I just built a computer for a friend that had an AMD 64 4400 X2 chip for playing games. Amazing. If you want some help picking out some components, PM me.

If you want a good source for pieces n parts, go to http://www.newegg.com

I've been using 64 bit processors for a while now. AMD 64s and the 64bit Xeon processors from Intel. I would recommend a 64 bit processor, but not the 64 bit version of XP. Not all the bugs are out of it yet. The 32 bit version of XP will run just fine on a 64 bit chip and you won't have compatability problems.

Kt · Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 3806

David wrote: No problems with drivers?You planning on getting a new Mobo that uses EFI ( extensible firmware interface) instead of BIOS?Windows doesn't support, and the new Vista won't support EFI so you need to be sure before you buy or build.
EFI will be awesome...
Quote:
Right now there are no programs that are capable of using the 64bit processors but they are on the horizon so if you can afford it,get it.
Umm, bulls**t?
There are plenty of 64-bit ports of 32-bit applications, for linux :)

---

I'd get the AMD Athlon 64 X2 series if I were you... (op)

ALthough since I am often limited financially, I usually get socket A processors and mobos :(

GTTofAK · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 5968 Location: Alaska

As goes gaming so goes all others. All the next gen consoles use 64bit dual core processors. So expect more and more applications to be written for 64-bit dual cores.

poweRob · Joined: 14 Jul 2004 Posts: 22671

GTTofAK wrote: As goes gaming so goes all others. All the next gen consoles use 64bit dual core processors. So expect more and more applications to be written for 64-bit dual cores.

Iagree. If only gaming would port to debian and rpm packaged linux, then there would be a true desktop war.

Sid · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 4612 Location: Kansas

Patriot911 wrote: If you want a good source for pieces n parts, go to http://www.newegg.com

Acctually, I'm using tiger direct, I found that so much of the stuff I want is cheaper there. Is there some reason I shouldn't use it?

Quote: I've been using 64 bit processors for a while now. AMD 64s and the 64bit Xeon processors from Intel. I would recommend a 64 bit processor, but not the 64 bit version of XP. Not all the bugs are out of it yet. The 32 bit version of XP will run just fine on a 64 bit chip and you won't have compatability problems.

You can run win 32 on a 64-bit processor? I hadn't thought about it, but it certainly makes sense, since 64-bit is the future, but I could still wait for people to get out of the past.

David wrote: No problems with drivers?You planning on getting a new Mobo that uses EFI ( extensible firmware interface) instead of BIOS?Windows doesn't support, and the new Vista won't support EFI so you need to be sure before you buy or build.

I'm going to build. It will take several months of saving up, but I'm going to get a cutting edge computer, somehow my blunt-as-a-balloon machine just isn't cutting it.

Thanks for the input guys, I'll really consider this. :)

Patriot911 · Joined: 03 Feb 2005 Posts: 6937 Location: Denver, CO

Sid wrote: Patriot911 wrote: If you want a good source for pieces n parts, go to http://www.newegg.com

Acctually, I'm using tiger direct, I found that so much of the stuff I want is cheaper there. Is there some reason I shouldn't use it?

Check them out. They have an extremely good selection, VERY good prices (better than TD IMHO), good information on the products, buyer feedback, awesome customer support and a reputation that is second to none. I've probably spent 20 grand there since last year.

Angela · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

Yes XP32 works on 64 bit processors (and most 32bit applications unless they use a 16-bit installer) but especially on Intel CPUs the performances downgrade sensibly. BTW some games using the starforce protection scheme won't run on XP64

Sid · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 4612 Location: Kansas

That's ok, I avoid starforce like the plague. :-?

alclarkey · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1510

You can run XP32 on 64 bit proc, but will only get the benefit of 32 bits worth of speed. For example if you have say a 64 bit 3.2 ghz proc, but only use XP32, it will run as if you were using a 32 bit proc. Not worth it IMHO. You're better off getting a 32 bit dual core proc.

Sid · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 4612 Location: Kansas

I'd rather get a more advanced computer, so that I can still run it when 64-bit is the norm. Save some cash.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 19050

Sid wrote: I'd rather get a more advanced computer, so that I can still run it when 64-bit is the norm. Save some cash.

When 64 bit is "the norm" there will be a whole new generation of 64 bit software and processors. :lol:

alclarkey · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 1510

If they made a backwards compatable proc, like one where xp32 could take full advantage of all 64 bits, while xp 64 could as well, that would be the one to buy.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 19050

The OS can be 64, but if you are running 32 bit apps on it it cancels out the advantages.

You need all software up to 64 and that is worlds away.

The Grandmaster · Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:03 am Post subject:

So basically, even though I have a 64bit processor, it's really not better than a 32bit since I'm running 32bit version of windows XP? :cry:

Damn it. I really thought it seemed to be running a lot better than the machine at work though, which is a 32 bit.

Sid · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 4612 Location: Kansas

The Grandmaster wrote: So basically, even though I have a 64bit processor, it's really not better than a 32bit since I'm running 32bit version of windows XP? :cry:

Damn it. I really thought it seemed to be running a lot better than the machine at work though, which is a 32 bit.

That's probably for entirely different reasons. But don't worry, when all the 64-bit programs come out, you won't have to upgrade.

FCTE · Joined: 11 Mar 2004 Posts: 19050

The Grandmaster wrote: So basically, even though I have a 64bit processor, it's really not better than a 32bit since I'm running 32bit version of windows XP? :cry:

Damn it. I really thought it seemed to be running a lot better than the machine at work though, which is a 32 bit.

No it multi-tasks far better than a 32.