Re: [PCWorks] Pros & cons of 64 bit

  • From: "Clint Hamilton-PCWorks Admin" <PCWorks@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <pcworks@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:06:06 -0600

I would not jump on Windows 7 as soon as it's released.  Like 
every OS, they're always released a few years too early, and 
never tested.  They rely on unsuspecting users to find all the 
flaws with the OS, then have to immediately scramble to release 
fixes and patches for serious issues.
-Clint

God Bless
Clint Hamilton, Owner
http://www.OrpheusComputing.com
http://www.ComputersCustomBuilt.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Virginia Da Costa"

Thank you Clint, Hugh and Peter for your feedback. I've decided 
to stick
with XP for the time being and follow Peter's advice to make 
sure my new
hardware will support 64 bit for a future upgrade to Windows 7.

Virginia
>

> From: Peter Kaulback

>
> Virginia, if you really want to dive into 64bit then I would 
> advise you
> to await the 64 bit Windows 7. Windows 7 is slated to be 
> available
> around the end of 2009 or the beginning of 2010.
>
> As it is right now most laptops/desktops which are multi core 
> do support
> a 64 bit OS, so a future upgrade is available.
>
> If you are looking for a motherboard for 64 bit try to get 
> one that
> supports more than 4 gb of ram, 32 bit supports up to about 4 
> gb while
> 64 bit supports much more. Pay attention specifically to 
> whether the cpu
> you choose can support 64 bit.
>
> Many software apps still are 32 bit but there is the odd one 
> available
> that is 64 bit, there is a good list here for all 64 bit OS's
> http://www.start64.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=0&Itemid=55
> or http://tinyurl.com/f6gs6
>
> Peter Kaulback
>
> Virginia Da Costa wrote:
>> I am planning to buy a new custom-built computer, being fed 
>> up with the
>> slowness of my ancient laptop and using other people's 
>> cast-off desktops.
>> Question is, whether to change to 64 bit hardware and Vista 
>> 64 bit?
>> Windows
>> Secrets article dated 25/09/08 said "Don't go from XP to 
>> Vista unless you
>> go
>> 64 bit" I have been very satisfied with XP in general and 
>> don't really
>> want
>> to change, but it seems a pity to buy a new machine and use 
>> an OS which
>> is
>> soon going to run out of support (although extended support 
>> is due to
>> continue for a while). On the other hand, should I wait for 
>> Windows 7 -
>> but
>> that might mean waiting a long time and I need a new 
>> computer quickly!
>>
>> What are the implications of moving to 64 bit? What about 
>> existing
>> drivers
>> and software? Will all that have to change? What kind of 
>> motherboard
>> supports 64 bit? I know there are definitely fewer memory 
>> limitations,
>> but
>> what about all the everyday apps and such things.
>>
>> I look forward to your expert feedback before making a 
>> decision. Thanks
>> Virginia

Clint wrote:
>
> Generally hardware is not 32-bit nor 64-bit, it's driver 
> level.
> So you have to find out which hardware (motherboard, video
> card, and whatever else) has 64-bit (XP or Vista) drivers.
> Software HAS to have 64-bit support, so you'll probably have 
> to
> get 64-bit versions of all your software and programs.  Some
> may already have 64 support, but not likely.  In typical
> computing, you don't need a 64-bit OS......and you don't want
> Vista.  You can get XP in 64-bit.  Support for XP is out to
> 2014.  But you don't really need "support" for it anyway, 
> it's
> not like it's going to

and Hugh wrote:


> If you buy a laptop with 64 bit installed, it will have all 
> the drivers
> you need. I've had to hunt for a few drivers for my desktop, 
> but they
> are readily available.
> Vista supports 32 bit as well as 64 bit programs, so that's 
> not a
> problem, although it would be better to have 64 bit programs 
> when they
> become available. Vista x64 ships with a 64 bit version of 
> IE, for what
> that's worth.
> I read that article, and it's a bit controversial, as 64 bit 
> program
> development is lagging.
> The big advantage of 64 bit computing is the available memory
> addressing. My desktop only supports 4 MB, but the 
> theoretical max is
> 2^64, which is a big damn number.
> I'm using Vista Ultimate x64, and, while I have a few 
> complaints, it's
> just fine, so go for it.
> There's a good forum and info source here:
> http://www.planetamd64.com/
>

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