Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

[Jonty]

Hi guys

I thought I'd post this, although the number of people it'll actually effect is likely to be minimal, to say the least.

Basically, if you own a copy of Windows XP Professional (not the home edition) and have a 64-bit system (AMD Athlon 64 or Intel Pentium 4 6xx Series) then you are entitled to a 'free' upgrade to Microsoft's latest version of Windows which supports 64-bit, instead of the current versions which are 32-bit.

There are, however, lots of caveats. First you must have purchased your system between 31 March 2003 and 31 July 2005 with Windows XP Pro (32-bit) preinstalled. This means no systems outside of this are elligible, nor are systems you've built yourself using OEM copies.

Microsoft also note that you'll have to erase your current OS first, that driver support may be initially dodgy, that previous PC manufacturer support for the OS will be invalidated, and that it'll cost $11 (US) or $22 (International) to ship the OS (although the copy is technically free).

In terms of what the OS does, to look at it's no different from Windows XP SP2, but with the added advantage of 64-bit support.

Anyway, this will likely not apply to the vast majority of people, but for those whom it does visit Microsoft's Ordering Page.

Kind Regards

Jonty

P.S. If you're building a new system, Windows XP x64 Edition is likely to be available to buy soon enough.

 

[Escape]

Is there any 'real' advantage to using x64 now?
I'll try it as a secondary OS until driver/software support makes the change viable.

So far from random sources, I've only seen comments of firefox64 and IE64 being faster. Not much else besides that! There must be others but I haven't read much about it.

When compatible software from Adobe, Macromedia and MS Office is released, it'll be worth switching to! There should be an x64 version of Visual Studio 2005 too?

 

[Jonty]

Hi Escape

Right now, there's little genuine advantage to using x64. There are some performance increases, but largely 32-bit applications won't perform any faster now than they did previously. When 64-bit versions of those applications are developed, you may well notice improvements, but even then it will likely only show on demanding applications like games, developing and editing environments where the extra headroom 64-bit offers comes into play.

As for drivers, certainly 64-bit drivers are few and far between. Big manufacturers like nVidia and (I think) ATI have 64-bit support, but other smaller manufacturers will take a little time to catch up, especially given that 64-bit support is still fairly a niche market. 32-bit programs will work fine, however, that much is fairly guaranteed.

Kind Regards

 

[PLightstar]

Yeah not sure if its worth it yet, think im guna wait a while. Everything is finally running smoothly at the mo (touch wood) so I don't want to upset it with a buggy Microsoft new OS leave bout a year, so they can work out the kinks and bugs.

 

[Catsby]

Much like the original driver issues WinXP had, Catsby suspects that it will only be a matter of months before all current(ish) hardware has adequate support. Catsby believes that good things come to those who wait (and he doesn't mean heinz ketchup).

 

[.Wilier.]

Theres a very long discussion about a pre-released version, which was free for download for owners of Athlon 64 chips, over on the PC Perspective forums.

Most of what people have said on here is true in as much as driver support is rather flimsy at the moment, and the advantages dont appear to be very great.

I have the pre-release version, but have yet to install it. Like Esacpe says, I think I would only put it on as an alternative for playing wth at the mo' as opposed to the full OS.

 

[Jonty]

It does have to be said that a lot of the benefits are fairly theoretical. The 32-bit Windows XP Professional, for example, supports up to 4GB RAM. Windows XP Professional x64 can support upto 128GB, with storage and page files which can be measured in terrabytes, or fractions thereof. But how much hardware is publicly available to take advantage of this outside of the commerical sector?

Still, hopefully by the time Longhorn comes along (which at some level is itself is based around the same 64-bit technology as Windows XP Professional x64) hardware support should be in place, together with a more features in the OS to show it off.

Kind Regards

 

[xane]

So far from random sources, I've only seen comments of firefox64 and IE64 being faster.

I'd be hard pressed to see how a "faster" browser would benefit anyone, the internet is hamstrung by crappy connections, badly designed webpages and numerous adverts, none of which will be affected by processor power. This applies to any internet related product, a faster email client will just be able to handle more unwanted spam.

Similarly with products like Office and Adobe, will we really see benefits from 64-bit processing ? How long will those benefits last before the software is replaced with yet another "feature rich" pile of bloatware that can only survive in a power processor environment ?

The real benefits of 64-bit architecture lay beyond your PC, if anything the one in your home will become lighter and less powerful. The main impact of 64-bit will be to establish powerful server farms full of virtual machines that you can use via a thin client. Virtual computing is an area that really will benefit from 64-bit, both in processing power and address space.

Grid computing has already established connection speeds way beyond even the biggest ph4tt p1p3 you've ever seen to date, the next development will be a network provider not only giving you internet access but limitless computing power as well in the form of a virtual machine.

I think that initially games will ultimately benefit from 64-bit, but they'll probably benefit from dual and quad core CPUs more. Just like when Windows 95 was first released, there will be few games manufacturers willing to release XP64 only versions.

 

[Jonty]

there will be few games manufacturers willing to release XP64 only versions.

Thankfully that's true for now, so our precious rigs needn't be upgraded All the games which have announced 64-bit support are doing it whilst remaining backwards compatible with 32-bit environments. As far as I know, Unreal Engine 3.0, Far Cry, Stalker and a few others are all preparing 64-bit optimisations.

Kind Regards

 

[Jonty]

Hi guys

For those interested, Microsoft have now tweaked their Windows x64 upgrade program to allow users who built their own systems with XP Professional to upgrade (before only pre-built systems were elligble). The market is still very narrow (64-bit CPU owners with XP Professional, 64-bit drivers and software pending) but it's there if you want it.

Kind Regards

 

[SawTooTH]

I fall into this catagory but Ive not seen one review advocating the move. Most games run slightly under par cf 32bit OS. I dont know about the 64 bit UT or Far Cry but it seems a lot of hassle just for a couple of games.

 

[]AC[dRuM]

For those that are going to take the plunge (like myself) make sure you visit Planet AMD64 ~ http://www.planetamd64.com/ ~ Great site for support and information regarding drivers / releases etc.

Two things to remember, you give the licence of the old copy of Windows XP Pro to Microsoft as part of the deal and not forgetting all the leg work you will have to do hunting round for information and support regarding 64bit drivers, you must visit Planet AMD64, this has helped me loads.

Going from 32bit to 64bit is something you should think about long and hard before doing it, but if you are confident you want too then by all means go for it. Having a 64bit capable chip and not using it's full potential is kind of like buying a dog and barking yourself

Anyone who bitches at you saying 'the performance will hardly be noticeable' or 'it's hardly worth it' is talking out of their backside tbh But be aware you have a lot of work to do going over to 64bit

 

[smurkin]

w00f!