2 Questions for you, about 64 Bit and Dual Core

Frost-Fire · 4 Jan 2008 at 17:48

Hello everyone, i would like to use some of your most probably superior expertise

I have finally gotten myself a Dual Core processor and now have 2 main questions to ask.

Firstly, i have windows XP 32 bit here with me, but is it worth me upgrading to XP 64 bit? (no, i dont want vista yet)

Secondly, how will a dual core effect the running of my software?

I will be reformating, but my C drive is only 10 gigs, so all my software is installed on my other drives. I need most of it to work. Undoubtably some of it will need to be reinstalled, but i have some older games which i need to function, such as the Close Combat games from 1996 and Starcraft, as well as new games, such as fear and all the call of duty games.

I have a creative X-Fi soundcard and i have heard that these have problems with 64 bit.

Basically im asking whether i will have lots of problems with my dual core, or is it likely to be a relatively smooth transition.

I also want to know if it is worth 64bit, and is it likely to cause me more hassle, or be beneficial.

Thanks for your time, and just post if you want more info about what im running, or the hardware i am using so you can make a better judgement.

James

NathanE · 4 Jan 2008 at 18:05

It will be a completely smooth transition and yes you will notice that multi-tasking performance will greatly increase.

I would recommend upgrading to 64-bit Windows. Although not XP, but Vista. Doesn't seem worth buying an outdated OS. But if you really really really don't want Vista then I'd still recommend XP x64. It's a brilliant OS.

Brian Stuart · 4 Jan 2008 at 18:34

If you don't intend installing more than 2 GB of RAM and you don't fancy Vista then stick with XP32.
I must say I agree with NathanE and suggest that Vista64 is the way to go.

Frost-Fire · 4 Jan 2008 at 23:18

I am wondering why its really neccessary to go more than XP 32.
I mean im not intending to push any boundaries, i just want new games to run, and what other tangible benefits will i really get?
Just doesnt seem like its worth the money

Brian Stuart · 5 Jan 2008 at 09:19

The point I'm making is that if you intend to buy a new OS (XP64) then I would go for Vista instead. If you are able to use a 32 bit copy of XP then it would be OK to stay with that although as I said if you have 4GB of RAM any 32 bit OS will not address it all.
As regards new games Crysis likes as much RAM as it can get and as new games are released to market they will optimised more and more for 64 bit OS's.