well i have been doing alot of searching on the web about xp 64 and all the reports have been from 2007 and earlier....i just got a new motherboard (foxconn 915p7ac) and new processor (Socket 775 Intel Pentium 4 Prescott W/HT 3GHz with EMT64) and found that it is 64 bit capable.....so my question is....is there still a major prob with this os with drivers and compatibility with other programs? and i already ordered the 4 gigs of ram my new board can hold...so second question is...is it worth it to install xp 64 to see the other .8 of ram or be happy with the 3.2 gigs of ram that the 32 bit os will say i have?

I use it on a strictly gaming machine and would not put it on a general use machine.

It is basically a server OS. 90% of software will shift into the 32 bit (x86) program files section.

The RAM difference would not be noticeable.

That being said I would wait and go with Windows 7. I don't think you can download the Beta anymore but the RC will be out in April and you can run that until the final goes on the market.

Just by the way Windows 7 32 bit does see all 4GB of RAM.

ty for the info....i think my decision will be easier now....anyone else?

I would add to my first hasty post that XP 64 being a server OS makes it noticeably slower at desktop tasks. It was designed to run massive amounts of RAM and hard drives i.e. servers.

It is also an outdated OS. If you want 64 bit and don't want to wait on Windows 7 I'd suggest Vista.

yuk im in school to become computer networker and i see the pile of crap that is vista everyday...but ty for your help

I would go with Windows 7 then.

cant wait

As mentioned even if you can't still find the Beta the RC will be out in 4 weeks and you can run that till the final ships to stores.

You could also run ubuntu in the meantime:

Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

I really think it is worth going with Windows 7 at this point in time.

Originally Posted by jephree

Just by the way Windows 7 32 bit does see all 4GB of RAM.

Just to add to jephree's comment...Vista 32Bit also sees all 4.0GB as long as SP1 is installed

I have to agree with jephree...If you do not want to install Vista then go with Windows 7 RC when it comes out or if you "really" can't wait then install Ubuntu...lots to play with there. You could dual boot Vista and Ubuntu.

I'm running Vista Ultimate SP1 on a Dell XPS M1710 Laptop and I am quite pleased with the way it runs. Have not had a single issue...original install from Dell July 2007. I've keeped up with all the updates as they've been pushed out including SP1.

cool ill look into that...didnt know however that vista could see all the ram.....maybe ill have to give it a shot as i have never actually owned vista but tried to repair it and heard what everyone else has said