difference between AMD 64 and normal

barginboyrob

Hi , i was wondering what is the difference between amd 64 and normal......will i get better performance in games, as memory is dual channel in some games (like farcry as they support it with)

if i upgrade to win 64 is that the only way i can use 64bit application, and will i still be able to use the 32bit programs?

thanks

orainsear

If you use a 64 bit processor and 64 bit operating system such as Windows XP x64; it contains a special emulation layer called WOW64 (windows on windows), and this allows you to run 32 bit programs. Often there can not be a discernable difference between running these 32 bit programs on a 64 or 32 bit set up. However, if you get dedicated 64 bit programs you will see a difference. The same is true of games, and if you get a dedicated 64 bit game, in theory you should see some improvements in the graphics, particularly in the texturing and frame rates.

Rex_Mundi

I've been using a 64 bit AMD system (with XP Pro 64 bit) for a while now.

With hardware................For the computer it hasn't been a problem. All the components in my build installed first time perfectly. All the latest hardware seems to have 64bit drivers available.

I had a problem with my Sony camera untill I found a really easy work around.

I'm not a big gaming person, but I've had a go recently with a couple of games. Far Cry 64bit looks and feels the dogs doodaas to me. It's nice to see the system running a game as it is able to (proper 64bit).

I'm having a problem running Doom 3, but I'm not too concerned. I know it is only a matter of time before I find a decent workaround for this game (or they release the right working patch).

My 64bit OS runs most (over 95%) 32bit programs (pretty much all of them) without any problems.

The thing that I like as well is that XP is a tried and tested system. Surfing the net with any 64bit browser is an additional level of protection (even with IE) because the malware d1ckheads haven't got their heads around this yet.

With Vista coming out soon. 64bit computing wont be so unusual. This means that all the big programs/games companies will be working on this already to upgrade them to fit in with next generation out there. Quite a few have started to release software/upgrades.

When I built this system earlier this year, I was in a real quandary as to the OS I should choose (32bit or 64bit XP Pro). Now we are getting closer to the release of Vista, I dont see it as a problem (I think I made the right choice with 64bit XP Pro). Go with with 64bit every time. This will give you future compatability with software/games, with an OS that has been tried and tested. Vista will still be in development stages for a while yet (even after release). XP Pro 64bit will also be supported by MS for quite a while yet. This leaves you plenty of time to try out 64bit programs without having to upgrade again till your next computer upgrade (go for Vista then).

Blacksheep1979

orainsear wrote:

The same is true of games, and if you get a dedicated 64 bit game, in theory you should see some improvements in the graphics, particularly in the texturing and frame rates.

not true - games graphics and frame rate are predominantly limited by the graphics card.

The dual channel memory will help slightly as you have a better memory bandwidth but the main bonus if you are looking gaming wise is that all pci-e boards (on amd) are for the socket 939 or 940 (64 bit).

superscaper

Blacksheep1979 wrote:

not true - games graphics and frame rate are predominantly limited by the graphics card.

The dual channel memory will help slightly as you have a better memory bandwidth but the main bonus if you are looking gaming wise is that all pci-e boards (on amd) are for the socket 939 or 940 (64 bit).

... and socket AM2 as well.

orainsear

Blacksheep1979 wrote:

not true - games graphics and frame rate are predominantly limited by the graphics card.

The dual channel memory will help slightly as you have a better memory bandwidth but the main bonus if you are looking gaming wise is that all pci-e boards (on amd) are for the socket 939 or 940 (64 bit).

Actually this is true and I do know what I am talking about.