XP 64 vs 32 downsides?

[Panzer Tiger]

Basically I'm wondering if there would be any downsides to getting the 64 bit version like compatibility issues with programs. I mainly want 64 bit windows so I can use my full 4 gigs of ram for video editing and special effects work. I am going to dual boot with vista soon but not till after christmas.

 

[soonerproud]

The biggest downside is there are few drivers for XP64. If you are going to run a 64 bit operating system, you will be much better off going with Vista 64 bit. Most hardware makers have drivers for 64 bit Vista and the compatibility with 32 bit programs is much better than with 64 bit XP. My brother and my neighbor both use 64 bit Vista and neither one of them have very many issues because of it.

 

[RebateMonger]

Although, apparently, 64-bit XP driver support isn't horrible, if there's any 64-bit driver for a piece of hardware, it's more likely to be a Vista-64 driver than an XP-64 driver. The disparity will likely become even bigger in the future.

 

[Vikendios]

When I audited all my rig for V 64 compatibility, I found the only problem would be my, excellent, 2006-purchased, Canon 9900 scanner. Shame on you, Canon.

 

[Nothinman]

XP64 is essentially a dead product, if you want 64-bit Windows look at Vista.

 

[Panzer Tiger]

Ok so it looks like I'm just going to skip over xp 64. Avid doesn't support it so I have to stick with xp 32 bit for now. They say vista compatibility is planned for a future release. Hopefully they include vista 64 because I still want to dual boot with xp 32 and vista 64 soon.