XP64 Versus Vista64?

Rick Martel · 21 Sep 2008 at 09:27

I think I have had enough with the driver issues with vista64 and playing pre 2008 games.

Will using XP64 bit be a better idea? I have 4GB of ram. Ive heard that there is more driver/software support for vista64 then XP64, so it makes things worse, but using 4GB of ram, i cant go to XP32Bit as it only reads 3.2GB or something right?

It seems vista64's utilities aren't worthy enough to take over the stability of XP, but I am wondering if XP64 has the same "driver hell" and proglems with gaming that vista64 has?

bledd · 21 Sep 2008 at 10:38

what hardware are you using?

i use xp64 on my gaming machine, love it (can't afford more than an 8800gt, so can't handle dx10 really anyway)

paradigm · 21 Sep 2008 at 10:50

What drivers issues with Vista64, what pre2008 games :/

I've been on vista64 since Beta 2, and not had a real issue since the release of the full product, heck, even the problems I had in Release Candidate1/2 weren't gaming related.

There are many more "teething issues" with XP64 than there ever were with Vista64.

Vimes · 21 Sep 2008 at 11:10

If you have both XP64 and Vista64 the give them both a go. That is what I did by installing each on a separate hard drive.

For me I have found XP64 to be just as fast as XP32 in games.
XP64 has been much faster when I have tested WIC, Crysis and DMC4 than Vista64. The difference has been enough to convince me that if I wanted a purely gaming rig then XP64 would be the one to go for.
In general responsiveness, unlike the other noted games that were benchmarked, I also felt XP64 to be faster, except using the better implementation of the search facility in Vista.
I used the same driver revisions under Vista64 Home Premium as I did under XP64. I have not had a problem with XP64 in terms of drivers anymore than Vista 64 - which means I have had no problems. The only issue that I have had with XP 64 is that MS decided to make WLM wave 3 not compatible with XP64, although there are ways around that.

However there is more, for some, to an OS than just a measure of FPS in games and I must admit to being fond of Vista.

As it seems to be both subjective and contentious you would be much better off in giving them both a go.

BTW - even with the limits of XP32, in terms of memory addressing, I found XP32 to be both fast and very stable and if I only had that OS today I would not be looking to buy any other as Windows 7 is too close for release - hey I even believe that DNF is out soon