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Stray Dog Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 8

First of all i apologise for this basic question but I'm getting very confused.

I have a system with AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 5200+

I thought that was a 64bit CPU(s) and I'd need to have either XP64 or Vista 64 on it. Was that bit right ? or will 32 bit verisons run on that CPU too.

Only I've seen some post about dual booting XP32 and 64 and/or Vista 32/64 on the same platform, how can that be I thought

I ask because some programs I like to use haven't got 64bit version or some why I try to install it says that the isnatllation needs XP or Vista ( like it things I'm running an old OS)

Thanks in advance

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:40 am Post subject:

You don't need a 64-bit OS if you don't want one. 32-bit versions will run just fine.

Stray Dog Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 8

thanks for the speedy response T

Will 32 bit version use both cores ?

Have i really missed the point, do I not have 64bit CPUs and I've just fallen for some clever marketting that put 64 in the CPU name.

Is there an Idiots guide written for the likes of me......an idiot

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

sharkey wrote:
Will 32 bit version use both cores ?

Yes.

sharkey wrote:
Have i really missed the point, do I not have 64bit CPUs and I've just fallen for some clever marketting that put 64 in the CPU name.

No, you've really got a 64-bit CPU.

sharkey wrote:
Is there an Idiots guide written for the likes of me......an idiot

This should get you started.

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject:

Right now the only real advantage of using a 64 bit OS is that it can address more memory. Right now 32 bit OSes have a 4 GB limit and in windows case it can only really address 3.5GB. 64 bit OSes do not have that limitation. Other wise I haven't seen too much of a performance increase.

Hopefully programmers will start making things more 64bit compatible.

Stray Dog Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 8

Thanks guys.
RTFM and Google is your friend.

Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:03 pm Post subject:

Although you could quite easily run comfortable old 32-bit Windows XP on a new dual-core 64-bit CPU if you already own a valid license, I believe that now is the time to choose Windows Vista 64-bit (Home Premium or Ultimate) OEM, if you are going to purchase a new operating system.

sharkey wrote:

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anglachel wrote: