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Alex Marin Gasga

Communications and Media Sector Solutions
Windows XP 64 bits?? have you heard of this??

Yes… soon we’ll have a 64 bits version for XP… this is not a rumor… for those of you who are wondering why to use a 64 bit version instead of a 32?? Well… here there are a few reasons why to do it:

  • High performance platform for the next generation of applications: 64-bit native applications can deliver more data per clock cycle
  • Large memory support: support up to 32 gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 16 terabytes of virtual memory
  • Flexibility: ability to move to 64-bit computing without having to sacrifice their existing investment in 32-bit software (Windows on Windows 64 -WOW64- x86 emulation layer)
  • Multiprocessing and multicore: support up to two single or multicore x64 processors
  • Same programming model: virtually identical to the development environment for 32-bit Windows

A 64 bit processor is not necessary “faster” than a 32 bit processor but… it allows the computer to use more memory and easily process huge files like videos, images, etc.

At this time.. maybe you are thinking… “all this is good.. but… do I need an expensive workstation instead of a simple PC to install this version??”… the short answer is NO… you don’t need it… you have some options…. Intel has chosen to release some of the Pentium 4 (600 series) with this capability (64 bits supportability) and the other option is using intel’s competitor processors: Athlon...

Do you want more details??

Windows XP Professional x64
Intel releases information on their new 64-Bit Processors

 

Posted: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 7:36 AM by alexmga
Filed under:

Comments

Dennis said:

I think 32GB sounds a bit short sighted. With the rate we are expanding RAM today we will hit that wall in a few years.
# February 22, 2005 8:36 AM

Damien Guard said:

Okay, first of all it's 64-bit (as it was with 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit systems).

Secondly: High performance platform, not necessarily true. It is the address bus that becomes 64-bit, not the data bus. Also bear in mind that every memory address now takes 8 bytes instead of 4 bytes and you'll see it's not really any faster.

Large memory support: Yes, the primary reason. Current 32-bit architecture is limited to 4GB and Windows XP uses 2GB of that address space for itself giving you 2GB of usable RAM. I think most geek have 1GB in their XP boxes these days so it's a very real limit.

Felixbility & same model: While these are great, it's hardy a "reason why to do it"

Multiprocessing and multicore: Windows XP 32-bit already supports up to two physical processors and while there are no dual core 32-bit processors around at the moment you get a similar effect with Hyperthreading.

[)
# February 22, 2005 8:38 AM

Alex Marin Gasga said:

Damien... your comments are valid but... the advantage is that the end-users now are able to have a 64-bit system at home at a lower cost than a server... and this can be useful for those users who needs to process video or enhance the application performance, or those who wants to install and test SQL Server 64-bit in your "PC" (hehehe.. just a thought), etc....

Do you remember those days of NT & Alpha??? now those days are coming back... hehehe but with XP :)... Also don't forget that Longhorn is just around the corner... and this initiative (IMHO) could be helpful to introduce new functionality and more options to the user (developers, it pros, media guys, end-users)...

BTW thanks for your comments... (Dennis & Damien)
# February 22, 2005 11:07 AM
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