Windows XP Media Center vs. Windows XP 64 BIt?

anil099

anil099

New Member
I was running Tune up Utilities or something and it said I have a 64bit processor and I'm running a 32 bit operating system and that I should upgrade to take full advantage of my system

Im currently running Windows XP Media Center which i love...should I upgrade to Windows XP Professional 64 bit? what are the advantages of 64bit? whats the difference between 64bt and 32 bit?

What Would You DO?
 
the 64bit is mainly for extreem users like audio editting movie making etc, for home use stay with 32 bit
Click to expand...
??????????

64 bit os main advantage is the ability to address greater amounts of ram. Currently not too much of an issue, but in the not too distant future it may be a greater priority

For now stick to 32 bit MCE
 
I would stick with Media Center. Windows x64 doesnt show much improvement over 32 bit windows, not to mention that there are alot of driver/program compatability issues with it.

I ran 3DMark06 in both x86 (32bit) and x64, and the score was actually a few points lower in the x64 version, but i bet it's because of the x64 drivers.
 
but at least you can get drivers for your hardware if you keep the 32 bit os, like omega was sying.

and XP64 is under software constuction, if you know what i mean
 
Christian Darrall said:
but at least you can get drivers for your hardware if you keep the 32 bit os, like omega was sying.
Click to expand...
They have x64 drivers for major companies such as ATI and nVidia, but when it comes down to software for not so well known brands, such as PCI cards and modems, you cant find x64 drivers for them.

I would like to test out the x64 version of steam, and see if the games perform any better.
 
32 bit versions of the NT kernel (2000/Xp/XpMCE/Vista Beta 32-bit) can only access 4 GB of Ram. 64 bit can adress substancially more (I forget the exact number). With that said, Xp 64 offers no real performance gain completely in one area. In some places performance is gained, but in others, it's lost. I reccomend sticking to MCE, it's got a lot of features you will miss if you switch to x64. x64 is also a hassle with drivers and many 32-bit apps which have some legacy code, don't run. Wait until vista to move to 64 bit. Vista will be ready for both versions from the beginning, and you can run a 64-bit version of the Vista Media Center. Code will be designed so that drivers are written to run on both versions. Xp 64 was really just a way to get Windows into the 64 bit era. It's only really for enthusiasts, most of the apps on x64 are still 32 bit anyhow. So with that said, stick to MCE.
 
Thanks a lot...yeah MCE has a lot of nice features that I would miss...I think ill stick with this...appreciate it guys
 
Christian Darrall said:
can i ask a question anil099 if i was to get WMC will i be able to install microsoft office
Click to expand...
Are you asking can you install office on Windows Media Center? If so, I can answer that, yes. It's just like regular Windows, if it works on Xp Home, it works on MCE. Certain Pro only apps, (I don't know that many, only IIS), won't run on MCE, as it's based off home edition more than pro. But Office will definitely work.
 
ok that is exactly the sort of positive answer i was hoping for.

just going back a little.

x64 version of steam,
Click to expand...
whats that??

/\/\/\ How come when i go to PC World they have copmuter with WMC and theres no start menu, and its like a TV more than a computer
 
Christian Darrall said:
ok that is exactly the sort of positive answer i was hoping for.

just going back a little.


whats that??

/\/\/\ How come when i go to PC World they have copmuter with WMC and theres no start menu, and its like a TV more than a computer
Click to expand...

x64 is the tag for the 64 bit architecture, so that's the 64 bit version of the program steam. As for that, WMC boots into a guide, where you can select your media and all that, you can go past that into regular windows, there is still the full version of Xp behind that.
 
Christian Darrall said:
oh cool, but can i still play games
Click to expand...
Sure, you can run all your Windows apps just like Xp, it's built on the same kernel and has the same libraries, it just has some extra GUI features.
 
When you see MCE screenshots, your probably looking at the media center part, where it says "guide" "photos" "videos" ect, thats just one part. When your not running that, it operates just like any other Windows XP OS, except it has a few cool new features.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top