Upgrade to WXP X64

[Rob T]

I'm considering upgrading to the 64bit version of WXP, since my new mobo and
cpu are 64bit capable. What I'd like to know before I go through that long
reinstallation of all my programs etc. is, what kind of a speed increase can
I expect from the 64bit version over the 32bit version? Will it speed up all
or most of my programs (e.g. Office, Paradox programming & applications,
Adobe Creative Suite 4 etc.)? If not, just what is the relative worth of the
upgrade?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm considering upgrading to the 64bit version of WXP, since my new mobo and
cpu are 64bit capable. What I'd like to know before I go through that long
reinstallation of all my programs etc.

Since you say "reinstallation of all my programs etc.," you probably
know this, but just in case you don't, let me make it clear that an
upgrade to the 64-bit version is not possible; you have to do a clean
installation of it.

is, what kind of a speed increase can
I expect from the 64bit version over the 32bit version? Will it speed up all
or most of my programs (e.g. Office, Paradox programming & applications,
Adobe Creative Suite 4 etc.)?

You will probably see *no* speed increase.

If not, just what is the relative worth of the
upgrade?

Here's my standard post on this subject:

The advantage of running a 64-bit version of Windows basically exists
only if you also run 64-bit applications under it. Bear in mind that
there are very few such applications available yet. If you are
presently running 32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit
applications, so to achieve any advantage, you not only have to
replace Windows, but also your applications, *if* (and that's a big
"if") 64-bit versions exist.

Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.

So the answer to your question is that it may not be a great idea
right now. That will undoubtedly change in the near future, but for
now, 64-bit Windows mostly means some extra trouble and expense for
little or no benefit.

On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it may do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.

One additional point: the 64-bit version lets you use more than the
approximately 3.1GB of RAM that the 32-bit version can use. Very few
people need or can make effective use of more than 3.1GB, but if you
are one of them, that's something else to consider.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I'm considering upgrading to the 64bit version of WXP, since my new
mobo and cpu are 64bit capable. What I'd like to know before I go
through that long reinstallation of all my programs etc. is, what
kind of a speed increase can I expect from the 64bit version over
the 32bit version? Will it speed up all or most of my programs
(e.g. Office, Paradox programming & applications, Adobe Creative
Suite 4 etc.)? If not, just what is the relative worth of the
upgrade?

Quite probably, none.

Unless you are switching all your applications to 64-bit versions, created
and optimized to take advantage of it...?

 

[nomore]

Do not bother with XP 64.
It is unstable (as in very unstable) and lacks drivers for many
motherboards, peripherals and is not compatible with many 32 bit programs
particularly those involving media creation.

Vista 64 is actually superior to Vista 32 with much broader driver support
from OEMs. It is compatible with many more programs than Win XP 64. If you
want to see a well crafted 64 bit OS download the Win7 64 bit public release
candidate. Microsoft is actually way ahead of Apple in the 64 bit OS
platform--Snowleopard is a catch-up for Apple which still does not have
polished 64 bit programming tools.

If you have 4gbs of RAM there is a read advantage to running a 64 bit OS
although you will not see it in everyday use, except perhaps in slightly
faster boot times. A 64 bit OS provides more than 3gbs of available RAM for
32 bit programs to work within. This can make a real difference in stability
if nothing else if you work in large images in PS. It is also one reason
vendors are putting Vista 64 on even low end notebooks: more memory
headroom.

 

[Paul]

I'm considering upgrading to the 64bit version of WXP, since my new mobo and
cpu are 64bit capable. What I'd like to know before I go through that long
reinstallation of all my programs etc. is, what kind of a speed increase can
I expect from the 64bit version over the 32bit version? Will it speed up all
or most of my programs (e.g. Office, Paradox programming & applications,
Adobe Creative Suite 4 etc.)? If not, just what is the relative worth of the
upgrade?

A 64 bit OS can run both 32 bit applications and 64 bit applications.

If you're using your old 32 bit applications, they'll continue to run.

I understand, for Core2 processors, using 64 bit instructions causes
one of the optimizations in the processor, to not be used. And that
will result in a small drop in performance. (Microfusion perhaps ?)
The AMD processors on the other hand, would treat the instructions
the same way (they don't use that Intel optimization).

It is possible the page translation tables are set up differently.
Page translation converts virtual addresses into physical addresses.
When recently used ones are translated, they "hit" in the TLB
in the processor (that is a cache device inside the processor).
On a "miss", the page translation tables are consulted, to discover
the proper mapping. Depending on the number of levels of page
translation, that may give the system a hint of sluggishness,
when doing a/b comparisons.

If you want real user opinions, try this Newegg product review.
This will make you think twice about your plan. Some people
like it, and some don't.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16832116378

" Pros: None, well it is great how it says "Windows XP x64" on boot up, I guess??? "

The main benefit would seem to be, the ability to use more than 4GB of RAM.
Considering the price of RAM, you could stock up on RAM, and
wait for a better OS to come along (Windows 7 download ?).
If you want to try the Windows 7 beta, you'd better hurry.
This would last you ten months, and in theory, will overlap
with the release of the real product.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

*******

For info on memory and address spaces, try this page. Notice
that a 32 bit application really sees no difference, and a 64 bit
application is more likely to make better use of the new environment.
And how many 64 bit applications are there ?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa366778(VS.85).aspx

HTH,
Paul

 

[Twayne]

Do not bother with XP 64.
It is unstable (as in very unstable) and lacks drivers for many
motherboards, peripherals and is not compatible with many 32 bit
programs particularly those involving media creation.

Vista 64 is actually superior to Vista 32 with much broader driver
support from OEMs. It is compatible with many more programs than Win
XP 64. If you want to see a well crafted 64 bit OS download the Win7
64 bit public release candidate. Microsoft is actually way ahead of
Apple in the 64 bit OS platform--Snowleopard is a catch-up for Apple
which still does not have polished 64 bit programming tools.

If you have 4gbs of RAM there is a read advantage to running a 64 bit
OS although you will not see it in everyday use, except perhaps in
slightly faster boot times. A 64 bit OS provides more than 3gbs of
available RAM for 32 bit programs to work within. This can make a
real difference in stability if nothing else if you work in large
images in PS. It is also one reason vendors are putting Vista 64 on
even low end notebooks: more memory headroom.

Citations please?

Twayne