x64

[WolfmanNCSU]

Microsoft Corp. said Thursday that it has released a number of 64-bit operating systems to manufacturing, including Windows XP Professional, in time for a scheduled release in late April.

As expected, the company also released Windows Server 2003 Server Pack 1, the basis for the 64-bit updates.

Specifically, Microsoft said that Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard x64 Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise x64 Edition, Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter x64 Edition, and Windows XP Professional x64 Edition all had been released to manufacturing. Further details will be released at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) later this month.

Source (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1781094,00.asp)


Also says that the x64 editions of Windows also run 32-bit applications, enabling for a smooth transition to 64-bit computing.

Intel is expected to release its consumer 64-bit processors in April. AMD has offered its 64-bit Opteron and AMD64 chips since last year.

[Viper]

The RAM potential of the 64 bit systems has many of us, me included, drooling.

[WolfmanNCSU]

I can't wait to see benchmarks. Now that their is an OS designed for the 64 bit, eventually games and apps will head that way too.

Now I need to get me a 64 bit processor!!!!

[Viper]

I just added 512 MB RAM, a 9800 AIW Pro and a 250 GB hard drive so I'm tapped for this year but by next spring, hopefully they'll have ironed out the bugs, I might drop some money on a new Motherboard and Windows 64.

You could have more RAM than HD space, lol.

The benchmarks will be insane.

[=NukeBlaze=]

Don't expect benchmarks and programs to fly off the charts when you have a 64-bit OS, processor, drivers and software. Math performance will improve due to larger chunks of numerical infor being processed at a given time, but don't expect sweeping booms.

Plus the good news, if you have windows XP pro, you can trade for the 64-bit equivilant for free from Microsoft. Link below.

http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/0,2000061733,39185835,00.htm


AS far as intel is concerned, thier 64-bit chips have been floating about in limited quanties for about a month now. Here are some selections for intel's 600 processor series with EM64T from Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1