I posted this inside another thread, but nobody responded so I thought I'd make a new one. Is it a good idea to install the 64 bit version of Windows XP? I've heard that it has some compatibility problems, but are they serious? Also, does it really make much of a difference in speed? Can programs running in the 32 bit version still take advantage of a 64 bit processor?
Stick with 32bit unless you know of something which you use regularly with a 64bit build available (not all that much...)
Are any modern games designed for a 64 bit architecture? Why do you say to stick with 32 bit, have you found problems with the 64 bit version?
Only if you have a reason. If you have to ask this question, then there probably isn't any reason to. Nope The question as you've stated it, nope. Major lack of drivers. They all have to be 64bit in order to work.
jwhazel summed it all up. X64 is not worth it. Very low hardware support and with Vista coming out, MS is dumping support like last weeks lunch. Don't bother with it. If you do want 64bit computing then wait for Vista. All the programs and hardware you have now will be compatible with it and run just the same. I really can't think of any game that takes full advantage of 64bit architecture and benefits more from it. I think Farcry is one of them but not 100% sure.
To be a technical dick again, "true" 64bit architectures are not compatible with 32bit binaries, unless they offer some sort of compatibility mode. detailed info about 32 v 64 bit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit#32_vs_64_bit in short, some commands are 'faster' and more memory efficient in 32bit. Classic 64bit applications that benefit from 64bit commands are vector based, hence Vector Units (And the the big fuss surrounding the Ps2)
