To All Technologically Sound CPers....

[Pagal4321]

Alright guys, I am planning to buy a new computer sometime in the near future (probably tommorrow). And have just been looking at the memory express site and have seen that the AMD Athlon XP chip and the AMD AThlon 64 chip are the same price.

I have been told by people that I should and shouldn't get it. Am trying to search around on the net but it's a lot of mumbo jumbo for a guy like me.
Just wondering if any of you guys can tell me wether getting a 64 bit processor is a good idea or not.

[BlackArcher101]

Now, I know zip about 64-bit cpu's.... but don't they require a 64-bit OS to utilize it?

[Pagal4321]

I just read an article saying they can run both 32 and 64 bit software. And I'm gonna assume Winwos XP right now is a 32 bit.....
Man I'm so computer illeterate.

[MarchHare]

Unlike Intel's 64-bit CPU (Itanium), Athlon 64 will run both 64 and 32-bit programs, and not only that, but it will run 32-bit code faster than an Athlon XP at the same clock speed. Microsoft will be releasing a native 64-bit version of Windows XP later this year.

If they're the same price, I would definetely get the 64. The motherboard is probably going to cost more though.

[photon]

Heh, I just purchased 9 Athlon 64 systems

The Athlon is a 64 bit processor, however they will run 32 bit applications and operating systems with no problems or compatibility issues what so ever.. The Athlon 64s run cooler compared to the newest Pentium 4 designs as well.

There are many things that AMD did with the Athlon 64 that make it a very robust processor, easily the match for the Pentium 4 at similar performance ratings. http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTgzLDM=
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040106/index.html
Skip to the benchmarks and you'll see where the AMD systems are performance wise with respect to the Intel ones... Some things favour the Pentium, some things favour the AMD.

Plus in general an Athlon 64 system will be cheaper for the same performance. An Athlon 64 3000+ is $240 while an P4 3GHz is $270 or $330 depending on which version you get. Plus good Intel motherboards are more expensive than their AMD counterparts.

So for everything you do today, I would say an Athlon 64 is worth while. Plus in the future when a decent 64 bit version of Windows, drivers, applications, and games come out you'll get a boost from using those.

Interestingly enough, Intel has quietly made the P4 processors they are releasing right about now (Pentium 3.60F processors and above) 64 bit processors! So Intel thinks 64 bit is significant enough to make their processors support it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally posted by photon@Sep 15 2004, 11:31 PM
Heh, I just purchased 9 Athlon 64 systems

The Athlon is a 64 bit processor, however they will run 32 bit applications and operating systems with no problems or compatibility issues what so ever.. The Athlon 64s run cooler compared to the newest Pentium 4 designs as well.

There are many things that AMD did with the Athlon 64 that make it a very robust processor, easily the match for the Pentium 4 at similar performance ratings. http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=NTgzLDM=
http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040106/index.html
Skip to the benchmarks and you'll see where the AMD systems are performance wise with respect to the Intel ones... Some things favour the Pentium, some things favour the AMD.

Plus in general an Athlon 64 system will be cheaper for the same performance. An Athlon 64 3000+ is $240 while an P4 3GHz is $270 or $330 depending on which version you get. Plus good Intel motherboards are more expensive than their AMD counterparts.

So for everything you do today, I would say an Athlon 64 is worth while. Plus in the future when a decent 64 bit version of Windows, drivers, applications, and games come out you'll get a boost from using those.

Interestingly enough, Intel has quietly made the P4 processors they are releasing right about now (Pentium 3.60F processors and above) 64 bit processors! So Intel thinks 64 bit is significant enough to make their processors support it.

9 ? what? did you put a couple in your bathroom?

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I don't know how desperately you need a new computer right now but personally I'm waiting for the 64-bit version of Windows (longhorn) to come out first before I take the plunge and buy a new system. By that point the A64 hardware should be a little more mature, and prices should be a little lower, or at least get you more bang for the buck.

That and you'll really get a chance to see your system fly.

[photon]

Originally posted by CaptainCrunch@Sep 15 2004, 05:39 PM
9 ? what? did you put a couple in your bathroom?

Heh, I wish they were mine. They're for a company I'm working for.

I wouldn't wait too long for Longhorn, I'd say it'll be at least 2006 before we see it. And they're having to cut key features just to get it out by then. They'll probably release an interim release of Windows XP (Windows XP SE anyone) before then. Plus Longhorn isn't specifically 64 bit.

There is a 64 bit version of Windows XP available, you can even download a free evaluation:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx

The problem with the 64 bit version of Windows isn't the OS, it's the driver support.. Depending on what hardware you have, there may not be drivers for it for the 64 bit version of Windows. It would suck to get 64 bit Windows and not be able to use your sound card or modem because there's no 64 bit driver.

There's also 64 bit version of Linux and other OSes.

[Pagal4321]

Alright so now another question......would older models of vieo cards, like the ATI Radeon 9200 series have compatability problems with the motherboard itself?

[Wookie]

No problems, the A64 and their chipsets (the motherbaords) work just like any other system, it's pretty much just an upgrade

Watch for new tech called pci express. which is going to (eventually, probably quite a long time) become the standard. But for now and a while AGP will be good enough. As well it is on most current and future boards.