Win XP 64-bit version

Question

Seems like everyone who ordered the 64-bit version of Windows was forced to change their order to a different version of XP. Anyone know what the problem is there?

Personally I'm not too excited about Vista. Think I'll be running XP on my XPS 700 for a good long while, but I would like to take advantage of the RAM access benefits that a 64-bit operating system supposedly offers. What I'd really like to know is whether I'll have any problem running a 64-bit version of XP on the XPS 700. Any feedback is welcome, thanks.

Xecuter2 · Answer

A few people indicated that Windows x64 is buggy... I cannot confirm that because I have never used it. I too originally ordered Windows x64, but my OS was automatically changed to Windows Media Center 2005 (changed without my permission after the XPS 'callback'). I didn't want to complain though as I have an extra copy of XP Pro that I will install.

pardonmedoug · Answer

@tphillips63 wrote:
... the effective 2GB limit of XP Pro...

Are you sure? Wikipedia says the 32-bit version can take up to 4GB of RAM:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition

Thanks for the quick responses, everybody. I wish we could get these kinds of answers from Dell. But I guess it would be asking too much to get the manufacturer of the 2nd-most expensive product that I own (and which was sold on its upgradeability) to give me straightforward answers to simple questions regarding its capabilities.

tphillips63 · Answer

I don't think it is or has a rep as being buggy. It does not have as many drivers as regular XP so for example you web cam or joystick might not work but in regards to performance it is fine.
It is a special use OS and if you do not run a 64bit engineering application you probably don't need XP Pro 64.
Vista 64 is a big who knows. I think many more if not all new products will have driver for 64 bit Vista simply because the effective 2GB limit of XP Pro is about to start causing problems.
You have to keep in mind that going from 2GB to 4GB or 8GB while small in number is HUGE in the amount of RAM available to the system and programs.
If you look at your system with programs in use you will see that 2GB RAM is allowing you to run muliple programs, including games, and do other major tasks like audio and video tasks and still have plenty of RAM for system business.

Kamendae · Answer

32-bit XP can address 4 gigs of RAM, but that RAM is evenly split between the kernel and any applications that might be running.  Two gigs is the effective limit an application can address.   Kam

Kamendae · Answer

I would be more inclined to believe that Dell is having trouble with writing / acquiring 64-bit drivers for their various OEM cards.

If your "Windows x64 is buggy" feeling is coming from http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=xps_desk_genhdw&message.id=20250#M20250, though, be aware that this guy is talking about the IA64 version of Windows (as evidenced by his later post referencing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_64-bit_Edition). The version of Windows that Dell was selling is the x64 version (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition).

I would have corrected this at the time, but I was on a couple-day boycott of the boards to try to let the flames die down - bringing it back up two days later would have negated the purpose of the break in the first place. ;)

Kam

Message Edited by Kamendae on 08-16-200603:49 PM

pardonmedoug · Answer

Thanks for clarifying. I'm wondering what scenario would have the OS kernel using 2 Gigs of RAM. I guess Vista's going to be pretty bloated.

So it looks like most applications other than 3D graphics engineering will run at top speed on a 32-bit system. Access to 2GB of RAM should be fine even for most games out today from what I understand. Feel free to correct me here, I'm learning.

Kamendae · Answer

Well...   If you're truly interested in the subject, check out http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2004/08/22/218527.aspx (A blog with a series of articles on Windows memory addressing).   As to Vista's 'bloatedness' - I can say that my home box is currently running Beta 2 (build 5384) with a half-gig of RAM, and no noticeable performance degradation from XP.   Kam

audiopho · Answer

I have had O/S x64 ProEdition version running on one of my rigs for 6 months and this O/S is as good or better/faster than any other win O/S as I have associated with thus far. Other than a couple incompatible or missing drivers for some peripheral devices, I have not yet had any trouble for finding drivers for what I need which is basically for gaming/photo-video editing/Internet/ etc etc.

Will try to download and run Vista for a dual boot next or as soon as I receive the free copy of dvd from MS.

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PC-Aviator | Dell XPS Gen4 & Dell 2405fpw| HDTV Tuner| SATA 400gb & 160gbRAID0
MCE2005| DVD-R/W (2)| SB X-Fi Platinum| MX1000| X530| XFX-7800GT (3dmark06=4000)
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Gaming Rig AMD x2 3800+ 2gb OCZ | Dell 2005fpw | Win x64 ProEdition
WD Raptor 37GB | SATA2-160GB(RAID0) | 300GB SATA2
SB X-Fi | Z2300 2.1| eVGA-7900GTX @700/1800 (3dmark06=6369)
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Inspiron 9300 | 2.0gb | ATI X300 (128mb) Radeon
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13rian · Answer

Two reps told me they were out of stock 2-3 weeks ago and one of them added that they'll have it in 2 months. Message Edited by 13rian on 08-16-200608:26 PM

ward733 · Answer

windows x64 is a great improvement if you have the equipment to take advantage of it.. When it was first released like ,I assume many companies like Nvidia will be scrambling for answers when vista is released and they have a less than crud of a driver kernal developed. I think they have most issues wormed out so to say.. I know all my bench marks on the amd 64 system I had  a dual boot window xp pro/ windows xp x64/ windows vista x64 . win xp x64 had a 38% increase in performance over windows xp pro x86, and vista x64 with a meer 16.7  % . With  vista not supporting sli and limping  on one gpu because of the said issue with invidia waiting to release there perfected kernal when windows releases the production build.. I do wish that intel had invested emt64 in there duo chips on their mobile line..

Mavtech · Answer

They told me that Core 2 was not compatible with Windows XP x64. :rolleyes: Yes, the CSR said there was a Dell tech in the room who confirmed that Core 2 was not a 64 bit chip.

swbrown · Answer

This is Windows we're talking about, not Linux. 64 bit Windows has massive compatibility problems, and you're still going to be using 99% 32 bit software as you can't recompile it to be 64 bit.

tphillips63 · Answer

Mavtech, They might be confused in the new naming of CPU's. Core Duo's are not 64 bit while Core 2 Duo's are. Maybe they just did not 'get' it from you or there training :) I mean Dell is huge lots of people don't get the word, ignorance is no excuse but I'm sure this is what's happening.

ward733 · Answer

I am talking about x64 windows professional.. The the dual core pentium 'd's have an emt64 memory instuction that supports x64 operating systems.. I wish that the core duo m processor had supported it so I could run x64 on my notebook.. The core 2 duo's will support the emt64 memory support and will be compatable, I'm not sure if the moble core 2's will have it but I was told yes..The compatibility issues are from some of the periferal distributers not provideing proper support for there products..I have not had any issues with my sli or sata or dvd-rw running games example half life 2 starts in a 64 bit mode at the top..When the build was released there were alot of compatability issues. My only device was an office jet 7310xi all in one that didnt have full support.. Now it does.Vista especially in the x64 version has many more issues than x64 pro did and it is schedualed to be released in november..There is a definate performance advantage of having the x64 kernal..I will try a dual boot on my xps 400 with the 820 processor . It has the emt64 support.

http://www.intel.com/design/pentiumd//datashts/307506.htm

Kamendae · Answer

swbrown wrote: This is Windows we're talking about, not Linux. 64 bit Windows has massive compatibility problems, and you're still going to be using 99% 32 bit software as you can't recompile it to be 64 bit.

Just curious here - can you please outline the "massive compatibility problems" you're talking about? Please stick to issues that are *not* caused by (lack of) third-party drivers.

Kam

Message Edited by Kamendae on 08-17-200610:18 AM

Locked Topics – Desktops General

Win XP 64-bit version

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