To 64 bit or not to 64 bit?

***Grimme*** · November 27th, 2004

I plan on upgrading my motherboard and CPU and RAM this Xmas. I'm no motherboard techie, so i'm just going to get a decent one which matches with the CPU, and I may get some Corsair XMS RAM, rather than the cheap stuff.
But my main problem is, should I bother getting a 64 bit CPU. [I'm not talk FX-53 though, just AMD 64], I know that the future is going to be 64 bit. But how soon will this 64-bit future be coming?

***turtile*** · November 27th, 2004

A beta version of windows xp 64 is available for downloading and will be released soon.
Here is the link:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...64_preview.asp

There is also a pre-beta of longhorn (future windows) available. The final release will be in the beggining of 2006.
http://www.winsupersite.com/longhorn/

If you are planning to use a beta or pre beta, I would suggest using a couple firewalls. Who knows if there are any big flaws.

***M!tch*** · November 28th, 2004

i would definitely go for AMD 64 if you are doing any gaming, that gives you a choice of either socket 754 or 939, the 754 mobos and cpu's are cheaper but i dont know how long AMD are going to continue with 754, as for the 64 bit software would wait until its past beta as you dont know what bugs it has as it is still under development, games and other software will i assume have to be developed for it any way

***Grimme*** · November 28th, 2004

So I should go with 64 bit then? So what's the difference between socket 939 and 754, and which is better for gaming?

***Eagle One*** · November 28th, 2004

there is actually socket 754, socket 939, and socket 940, i think 940 just have fx-53 in 64bit. Well im going to be buying a new case, CPU, motherboard and ram, and im getting a Socket 939 Atlon 64 3500+, 1GB PC4000 Corsair XMS and a AV8 (not 100% sure about that) and i belive 939s are the best amd athlons out.

***M!tch*** · November 28th, 2004

at last an article i found that should help

http://www.amdreview.com/reviews.php?rev=3000-3200-90nm

seems like dual channel support and lower power consumption for the 939 are the main advantages

***Mr. Matt*** · November 28th, 2004

Despite the lack of 64-bit programs, AMD 64 processors are still very fast in 32-bit applications, exceeding comparable Intel processors in a lot of tests -- games included. If you're going for high-end, AMD 64 processors are fairly adept, and future-proofed for when 64-bit does get used.