Bean

So I'm about to upgrade my PC from the lowly 1 Gig AMD to something a little more.. relevant. I have a question for you all though. If I upgrade to a 64bit AMD, do I NEED to use the 64 bit version of windows? If not, what are the pros and cons of the 32 bit vs the 64 bit?

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"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Space Goat

No, you don't need to use a 64-bit OS. A 32-bit OS will work fine.

The cons of 64-bit are, you won't be able to run 16-bit programs, and compatability with some 32-bit programs will be shoddy. The biggest pro is, you could effectively use more than 2 GB of memory.

Unless you're a hard-core gamer, video editor, or engineer who craves the most RAM he can get, I'd recommend you use 32-bit for its greater compatability with most programs.

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Bean

Well I can't really afford that much ram to being with so it's a moot point lol.

So what you're saying is that if I upgrade to an Athlon 64, and stick with my current OS there's nothing new? (aside from the performance boost of the new hardware of course) and as far as my OS is concerned it's just a faster processor?

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Cymro

Sucks to be on the market. The advantage is obviously future compatibility

__________________
"Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.

"But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."

Space Goat

Basically, yes.

Before you replace your processor, though, I'd recommend you google for everything you can find on processor replacement, just so you're totally prepared.

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Bean

Well, it's not so much replacing a processor that's new to me, it's just that the last time I bought a new one, was before the 64s had even been announced. So I'm a little out of date as far as that goes and have had no real reason until now to read up on it.

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Sirgets

Are you sure you can do this bean ......you know you just got that shoe tying thing down....yay no more velcro.. Are you sure your ready for this big new step!!

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Abandoning your fears is your first step on the road to enlightenment, and giving Stag a blowjob----cymro

Bean

Well, I wasn't sure, but then when you were home last I noticed that you weren't wearing pull ups anymore. So if you can manage that, I think I can manage this.

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Sirgets

Im A Big Kid Now!!!!!!

__________________
Abandoning your fears is your first step on the road to enlightenment, and giving Stag a blowjob----cymro

Cymro

This is what I hate about the computer industry in general, instead of the manufacturers just working hard on releasing one or two products a year, they release dozens of different ones, so your state of the art PC is only state of the art for a month. I just can't help but think that technology would develop even faster if they didn't release a new CPU every month with a slightly higher amount of power than the last and just focussed on one project with way more power. Why would you want a choice between a 3.3Ghz, a 3.4Ghz and a 3.5Ghz? 200MHz doesn't make much difference anyway, so why bother paying for the R&D?

__________________
"Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.

"But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."