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I've heard of Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Professional x64. Likewise, I've read that there will be a Windows Vista Business and a Windows Vista Business x64.
- What does the x64 mean?
- If I buy a new computer, how will I know if it (or the OS) is x64?
- Is a x64 system preferable to a system that is not x64?
Thanks all.
At a guess 64bit.
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=e...G=Search&meta=
I think I have one maybe although maybe the 64 in my system specs is a marketinng ploy:Sheesh you'd think I would know eh ?Quote:
AMD LIVE! Technology - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Windows XP MCE
1GB (2x512) NECC Dual Channel DDR2 533Mhz SDRAM Memory
256MB PCIe x16 NVidia GeForce 7300LE TurboCache
16x DVDRW Drive.
Normal XP what ever version is 32bit, but for Multi cpu computers, there is a 64 bit version known as x64.
Be sure to check out the Expert Zone here also.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx
Extracted:
What does 64-bit mean?
Let’s start by defining what we mean by 64-bit in general and by x64 specifically. The CPU of a computer (its brain, if you will) can address, or communicate with, memory in various forms, as Figure 1 shows. Some of that memory is actually part of the chip that contains the CPU in the form of registers and cache; most of the memory is external to the chip, in the form of RAM and even hard-disk space. As the CPU communicates with that memory, both internally and externally, it processes data in chunks. In the case of a 64-bit computer, the CPU does that processing in chunks of 64 bits at a time.
derrr maybe this sticker on the front of my machine should be a clueQuote:
Originally Posted by Nix
http://www.amdlive.pl/amdlive.gif
Anything you're buying new these days will have a CPU that can run the x64 versions of Windows. Whether you want to do that at home is still debatable.
The x64 versions can handle more RAM (no more ~4 GB limit on your PC), but that's mostly a server benefit than a PC one. They also have a bunch more requirements and restrictions on drivers, which should lead to more stable systems and less bluescreens from buggy third party software.
On the other side, every driver you have needs to have been written for whatever x64 OS you're running (XP or Vista). If you have any old hardware lying around, that requirement can be impossible to meet.
Personally, I'm sticking with the 32 bit version of Vista at first.
https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2007/01/7.gif
So maybe that's why I can't get Win98SE to install on this machine it's not comaptible with 64bit processor ???
It could be a motherboard problem and not the 64bit cpu problem, Nix. Windows x32 still runs on my 64bit cpu, as I'm running XP x32 and Vista x32, your supposition isn't correct.
64-bit computing is the way of the future, and you can expect to see MS and others pushing for it in the not too far different future. But right at the moment there is no pressing need to go 64-bit, and there are some 32-bit apps that are incompatible with the 64-bit OSs, though most are fine.
FWIW, I've been using Vista Ultimate x64 as my main OS for well over a month, and I haven't had any issues at all with it. It promises to be very secure as well, as the x64 version of Vista won't allow anything to interfere with the kernel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nix
I am seeing more and more motherboards that they are not compatable with DOS type Operating Systems. Bios is not set up to work with it anymore it seems..
I guess it probably makes sense as there wouldn't be drivers etc available for all the new hardware.
Thank you for all the replies and links, guys (and gals - sometimes you can't tell from the user name :)). From what you've said, I came up with two more questions:
1. Does this mean that any computer with an Intel Core Duo or Intel Core Duo 2 processor is automatically an x64 system?
2. Does this mean that there is no Pentium processor on x64 systems?
1) Yes, all Core series CPUs are 64-bit.
2) No, not necessarily, there are some recent 64-bit Pentiums. Look for models with the EMT64 extensions incorporated.
Sparks, Did you mean Duo Core............I have major issues withy IE when using Xp Pro 64. Between Mcafee and the 64 bit stuff I am considering going back to 32 bit version. As mentioned, many drivers are not available for the 64 bit stuff either yet.....
Between Mcafee and the 64 bit stuff
I would expect troubles with that myself.
By Core series, I meant the entire Core Duo, Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad ranges.
My experience so far, is that the situation vis a vis 64-bit drivers is far better with Vista than with XP x64. Generally everyone is writing both 32 & 64 bit drivers at the same time. AV is still a big problem though - even MS haven't made a 64-bit OneCare Live version yet :rolleyes:
Again, thanks for all the links and answers. This may be on the links some of you provided; but I'm looking for a quick answer to this one, so I've come directly back to you guys:
I went to the Microsoft site for the Windows Vista minimum requirements. It says that the processor must be 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) at minimum.
How does 32-bit translate to x86??? Why not x32? If I want to ensure that my computer is Vista-ready, how do I tell if the processor is "x86"? (Or are all 32-bit processors "x86"?)
Aaaaaagh, all these numbers. I use a computer, so I'd like to think I'm not completely computer-illiterate (although the Mac OS is my forte). But when it comes to keeping up with Windows, I seem to run into new questions every day.
X86 was originally the code that referred to Intel's x86 series of CPU's (286, 386, 486) but now refers to the architecture and instruction set that handles 32-bit operations in a standard CPU, x86 CPU's are 32bit, and x64 are you've guessed it: 64bit. These requirements aren't very good IMO, and they never are, if you were building a new system for vista then there's not much chance of you finding an 800Mhz CPU anyway, but the optimal requirements would be a 2.0Ghz CPU with 2gb of RAM and a good mid-range graphics card to be able to use all the eye-candy.
Liam
800Mhz - pah
My 6 year old, retired, gateway system was 950Mhz and itcame installed with WinMe.
Oer the years I modifed the install to be a triple boot between Win98, WinMe and Win2K, but I wouldn't have dreamed of putting XP on it because I know how slow it woud have been.
To say that Vista woould run on it would be really pushing the boundaries I think.