Upgrade to 64-bit XP?

[UltimaBoB]

Computer:

ASUS P5W DH Deluxe
Intel E6700 2.66 ghz CPU
2 x ATI HIS 1950XTX GPUs in Crossfire
Creative Soundblaster X-Fi extreme Music
150 GB WD Raptor HDD
4 GB OCZ Memory

I just upgraded to 4 GB of memory from 2 GB because my old memory malfunctioned. I figured that I had might as well get 4GB. Currently I'm not really doing any serious gaming, but that could change.

My friend suggested I upgrade to XP 64 Bit. I really didn't want to get that involved in figuring out Vista yet. 32 bit XP only sees how much memory? Is it worth going to 64 bit XP to see a bit more memory? Or is XP 64 too buggy and is it better to wait until I am ready to do Vista?

 

[QuixoticOne]

With those two 512MB graphic cards you'll lose about 512MB to 1GB of
your usable RAM with XP32, so you'll end up with like 3GB or 2.7GB of useful RAM if you stick with XP32.

That's not really too bad to live with for a while, everything will work, it'll still be better than having just 2GB RAM, but it just won't be totally optimum.

XP64 should work ok for most things, it seemed like it was kind of expensive / hard to get though. I guess it's worth a try if you don't like VISTA and can get XP64 for the same or better price as VISTA.

VISTA64 works pretty well though after SP1 (I run the Beta SP1; the final one will be out within 5 weeks or so). I doubt you'd have too much problem gaming under VISTA 64, and it's probably a little easier to find for sale / on sale than XP64 these days.

You could just stick with what you have until VISTA64 SP1 has been out for a few months and gets a few more patches, or you could go either way on XP64/VISTA64 soon. There's no huge reason to rush to change.

Only thing is that if something like a new game DOESN'T work well, you could expect they'd be more likely to have a fix for VISTA64 rather than XP64 which basically nobody uses.

 

[Spicedaddy]

I just went from XP Pro SP2 x86 to Vista x64 (with SP1 RC published on 1/25/2008, pretty much the RTM build I think). Anyways, I haven't had any problems with either drivers or apps, and the OS definitely feels snappier than Win XP. My system is Core2Duo @ 2.5GHz, 2GB ram, Gigabyte P35-DS3L, ATI 3870 512MB.

You have 4GB, definitely go for x64!

 

[Canterwood]

I would say if you already have a copy of XP x64 lying around, and can get drivers for your hardware, then go for it.

I use XP x64 and its a great OS. Rock solid, and I've not had any issues with drivers of apps.

I'm not ready, nor require Vista yet, and XP x64 fits my needs perfectly.

However, I wouldn't suggest buying it at this point, as all development is geared towards Vista from now on.