Is 64bit computing really that great?

Recently I have made the jump to 64bit.

Originally I was on 64bit Vista but I found it almost impossible to find any software and installing everything turned into a nightmare so I just gave up.

I have now been on 64bit Xp for a few months and have to the conclusion it really isn't that special. I literally have 4 native things installed in 64bit and everything else is in the Program Files (x86) folder! In terms of performance I have seen no great gain. If anything its running worse, with it being a bitch to start up and certain applications it just doesnt like. There is no decent anti virus or firewall version either so I end up with a hacked up solution.

all in all im not impressed. There does not seem to be enough wide spread support for it so its being held back. I for one am seriously thinking of going back to my version of heavily tweaked Xp 32bit, which ran like a dream!

What has everyone else's experiences been?

 

I'm in the position that I need to run 64-bit OS's because I have more than 4gb of Ram in my system.

I tried XP x64 once, but didnt like that due to the lack of drivers and support. Though Microsoft themselves say its more of a technical preview than a usable every day OS. Also all the applications on it are 32-bit, it was just the kernal that was 64-bit.

With Vista Microsoft went one step further with x64 and made 64-bit versions of all versions except for Starter. This is the time I fully used a x64 OS and ive honestly had no problems. Yes its true drivers are a bit more if an issue, luckily for me I've managed to get drivers for every peice of hardware including TV tuner and soundcard. It makes me more concerned when buying new stuff making sure it has 64-bit drivers but luckily I've been ok so far.

What annoys me most about x64 Windows is the way system builders are handling it. To make 64-bit a viable option for everyone we need drivers and support, but the only way were going to get driver support is for there to be enough user base to require it. Unless system builders and people like yourself dont jump on the 64-bit bandwagon and push it to friends and family the move to get home users across is just going to be so long winded and played out. Its like a big cycle that wont break, home users stay on 32-bit for drivers, companys make drivers only for 32-bit as thats where the users are. Until users move, driver makers wont move and with more and more PC's having 4gb of ram and over, the more needed the transistion is needed.

/rant over

 

I made the switchover when I built my new PC. I didn't really think about driver issues as I was confident any new hardware I bought would have 64bit drivers which luckily they did! Apart from a few problems with the latest Nvidia drivers and UT2004 (not really a prob to do with 64bit computing) I'm as happy as Larry. Can't say I've noticed anything different though, most programs I have don't have 64bit versions. I'm more impressed with Daul Core processors. Whilst waiting to go somewhere in World Of Warcraft I loaded up UT2004 and managed a full DM game then went back to WOW. Now that's progress in technology .

 

I think i agree with you there! I noticed a HUGE difference going to dual, although I still dont think there is enough support for it. I remember there being a big thing about SupCom being the first game to support dual core correctly.

As for 64bit people are not going to make the push until they are forced. Did I not read that Windows 7 will only be in 64bit? That would certainly help move it forward somewhat!

 

Hmm, i think that is a mistake. 64x has been out for donkeys years, its about time they pushed it forward. All current hardware will support it so it seems crazy not too.

I guess they are worried about the huge backlash they would get from software developers. Im sure someone would say its anticompetitive!

 

64-bit for all versions except for "Starter Edition", that would be the way forward.
That way undeveloped countries could experience Windows 7 on there donated PC's.

If Microsoft dont force the move to 64-bit for consumers, like they are for Servers soon, this is going to get dragged out for far too long. Time between Windows releases is 3-7 years, so if we have to wait for Windows 8 for 64-bit Only that could be over 10 years away! 10 years of 32-bit users with the odd 64-bit user. Perfect.

Sometimes the way Apple does things of forcing and being closed seems to work better, Mac's are moving 64-bit and users dont have the option of asking for 32-bit. Perhaps MS should charge double the price for a 32-bit version to developed countries, that could get people onto 64-bit

 

I dont think its necessarily a driver issue, to me it seems to be software. There are 1000's (probably 100,000's) types of software for Windows, but hardly any run natively in 64bit.

For example, I always look for a 64bit version, but I only have 4 folders for software in my program folder files, the rest is in Program Files (x86). I dont think 64bit is going to have any major impact until Microsoft force it, making compaines develop natively in 64bit. But even then it's going to take years until all the freeware and stuff you can get is available.

I just find it annoying that there is huge potential there but no company seems to be pushing it.

 

I agree I switched to 64bit windows before, I saw no major increase. The only programs I saw you could use in 64bit were crysis and IE. The only difference is being able to use more memory. Though if you could use 8gbs and more RAM in 32bit there would be no differences from 64bit.

 

for me i once tried a x64 but i felt that 32 is more faster and better i dunno why but maybe cuz it was vista .
note:VISTA sucks.

 

the problem with all new things is, they are never finished

and ppl, like some of u guys are the beta testers without knowing it


THX for that, personaly i see no need for 64bit or vista or ps3 or dx10 or sc2 beta...... oh wait.... the last beta would be a good thing, if its done

 

I had a 64bit system, but there were almost no drivers and I had to get back to 32bit

 

ye, but u can still run 32bit os on 64bit cpu so there is no harm in getting a 64bit cpu, but if you do gt one u are rdy 2 upgrade if it takes over.

 

my opinion about x64 OS is that sucks.it's incompatibility it's still epidemic and doesn't worth buy it until all the new softwares that will appear will migrate from x32 to x64

 

Well, I just upgrade a few days ago to 64bit...I couldn't be happier. The OS is running so much faster and taking advantage of so much more memory now. I've very happy I did.