will i ever be able to use win x64 as my sole OS?

Bellator

I got the free x64 upgrade a while back, but although I have had it all this time I haven't even bothered installing it. The reason? Even tho 64 bit support seems to be more widespread than it was, it's still clear that the safest bet is to install both the x64 version and the vanilla xp pro, as there may very well be a time when you come across an app or driver that will only work under a 32 bit OS. Personally I don't think x64 provides a dramatic enough performance boost to warrant the hassle of dual booting two OSes...

So I gotta ask, do you think there will come a time when I can use soley Win x64 and not worry about functionality or performance hits in some games, or am I gonna end up getting vista down the road with x64 a lame duck?

PangingJr

well that depends solely upon what you think and what you expect to get from the OS when your use it.

Bellator

hmm well with regards to x64 i expect to have gaming and system performance equal to and preferably better than 32 bit xp, and i expect to be able to use the OS without any driver incompatibilities that cripple the functioning of my otherwise fine programs and hardware

PangingJr

well why don't you just try it? if you have already tried the XP x64 i think you can answer that by yourself, whether you want to use the XP x64 over the XP, or you want to stop using the XP x64 and go back to use just the XP.

Zardon

It doesnt, just stick to 32bit. To take full advantage of 64 bit windows, programmers need to code in special routines for it within their applications, and right now that additional workload doesnt appear to be worth anyones effect. If Adobe made a 64 bit version of PS id move, but they dont and apparenty dont have any plans for it either.

Waste of time, just like 64bit Vista. basically same OS, same speed with less driver support.

Judas

Anything that has Native x64 support sure as hell flies though.... very very nice performance improvements on those programs..

Virtual Dub x64 alone does one hell of a fast job in encoding and decoding and various other aspects that are true x64.

Half life 2 (engine) with x64 support initially had fairly poor performance, but the last time i ran the sucker my low fps was raised significantly and my average was slightly higher... no biggy...