64 bit purchase decision

  • Thread starter Thread starter David Lewis
  • Start date Start date
D

David Lewis

Hi Guys

What's the scoop with these new 64 bit processors? I am needing to upgrade
my system to probable (32 bit)P4 3.2GHZ running WinXP and have been told
that prices have fallen with the ?soon to arrive 64 bit CPU's.I don't
necessarily want the latest and greatest but also don't want to shell out a
lot of money on redundant technology.
What's the major attraction with 64 bit systems and should I wait?
Many thanks
 
As much as I love what AMD is doing (and if you DO decide to buy one, go
with the Athlon 64FX, not just the plain Athlon 64,) I'd wait 'til they get
the second generation of them out. They'll have a smaller die than the first
batch, so they'll be cheaper, and WinXP for A64 should be out.

If you go now, they'll work with a 32 bit OS, yes... as far as Intel's "soon
to arrive " 64 bit processors, well, until I see something concrete, it's
just a smoke-and-mirrors "oh sh..." reaction. Much like the P4 Emergency
Edition.
 
Greetings

A workstation is not considered a consumer based PC. A workstation is for
high end business use for specific applications, not home end users.
 
This was supposed to be in the last post but i pressed send.

Windows XP 64 bit is NOT support any 16Bit applications, so DOS emulation
will not be an opition. Reports have also said that computer stores will
not even sell Windows XP 64Bit for AMD's. it will be available through
Microsoft only (not confimed) Also no consumer apps are written in 64Bit
code.

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Overview
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/64bit/evaluation/overview.asp
 
There is one reason that 64-Bit XP probably won't be available
at the local Best Buy. Consumer confusion. Blue Box & Green Box
are pretty easy for consumers to choose from.

If you now have a 64-Bit version on the shelf just image how many
copies will end up at the Service Desk with a "Returned Merchandise"
sticker on them.

64-Bit computing is coming, but much slower than AMD would have
consumers think. We are probably two-years away from end-users
having a 64-bit System/OS and Apps on their desks. Early adopters
will probably fork out the money just to have one, but it's much too
early to make that jump for even "Power" computer users.

Just remember how many posts appeared on this newsgroup when XP
patches appeared in both 32 and 64-bit versions. "How do I tell if I
have a 32 or 64 bit computer?".
 
Chris
thanks for replies and links which i have now read.Interestingly the P4 3.2
GHZ equitted itself fairly well c/w the 64 bit Athlons and in one test
bettered it and I'm not even sure whether they were using hyperthreading on
the P4. In the DVD VOB file ripping test the Athlon took 57 mins c/w P4 66
mins...not exactly mind blowing unless you're ripping back to back all
day.And then there is the *price* and lack of 64bit apps and relative
difficulty obtaining 64bit XP. Then to consider inevitable bugs and lack of
support.....I neither want to be the "guinea pig" or want to pay that much
money for the priveledge

Thanks for the info

Regards David
 
Yes, I'm sure you're right about waiting.As for me I'm off to buy my P4 3.2
Ghz with HT and 800Mhz FSB and 1Gb dual channel DDR 400 RAM and 3 120Mb
SATA drives - 2 in RAID 0 for video capture...... etc. I'm absolutely
positive it will not even be close to out of date until at
least,well.......Next Tuesday LOL!!
Cheers
David
 
Speak for yourself. I don't run junk in my home. An off the self oem machine
is a paper weight to me.
 
Hi

As the term 'workstation' has no well-defined meaning what is the point in debating it?
 
True, true.

Hi

As the term 'workstation' has no well-defined meaning what is the point in
debating it?
 
Will said:
Hi

As the term 'workstation' has no well-defined meaning what is the
point in debating it?
Click to expand...

Yes, there are many confusing terms in PC Land.Also What is a "server grade"
computer.I guess though that most folks don't need dual Xeon processors and
definitely don't want the expense. Also a good custom made "desktop
computer"..whatever that is ...is not necessarilly a "paperweight" is it?. I
wonder if Purplehaz could explain (see his post in this
thread).Purplehaze,what pc type do you use?
 
David Lewis said:
Yes, there are many confusing terms in PC Land.Also What is a "server grade"
computer.I guess though that most folks don't need dual Xeon processors and
definitely don't want the expense. Also a good custom made "desktop
computer"..whatever that is ...is not necessarilly a "paperweight" is it?. I
wonder if Purplehaz could explain (see his post in this
thread).Purplehaze,what pc type do you use?
Click to expand...

I only use computers that I build on my own. Mostly P4 intel processors and
AMD top of the lines(no celerons or outdated amds) with either via or intel
chipsets. Always top of the line components(ie:
mb/video/sound/harddrives.etc). Nothing on board, except occationally a
network card. Thses are not the $399 specials you get from dell, gateway, or
the computer store. Sure you could say technically it is an oem computer and
I'm the oem, but these are custom units. If the user knows what they want, I
customize it to their specs. If they dont know what they need, but know what
they want to use it for, I always get quality brand name, tested tried and
true hardware. Sure you can't buy a pc from me for under $800-1000, but you
get what you pay for. A $399 computer is going to have everything on board
and that does not work well when upgrading time comes.
Right now this machine I'm on(I have others)is a 1.7ghz P4 w/512 rdram,
western digital drives, mitsumi dvd-rw drive, ati radeon 9600 pro, phillips
sound, harmon/kardon speakers/sub, linksys network card, wireless keyboard,
optical mouse, 18" Samsung LCD screen. This was built about 1-1/2 years ago.
Top of the line then, for about $1400 with lcd screen(which was almost $600
itself). This machine screams and is virtually problem free since the day I
put it together. You can get a really good machine from someone like dell
but you'll pay $1500 for it, not $399.
 

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