Windows xp 64bit??

I recently heard it is possible to get hold of windows xp 64bit version. My friend is saying it is better for gaming and programing etc on 64bit processors.
Can someone give me some info about this version of windows xp. Can i just download an upgrade for my current 32bit windows somewhere etc...

thanks XD

 

You first need a processor capable of 64-bit computing. For example: A Core 2 Duo.

I find that Windows XP x64 is very stable (now that the driver support has increased since it first came out). I would highly recommend that you use it if you have more than 4GB of ram or if you want to take part in 64-bit applications. But you won't see an increase in performance in any games as far as I know.

Mike.

 

In that case, ask you "friend" if he has install xp 64 on his computer. If so, ask him how many barrel of Advil he took before getting all the drivers and programs to work. XP Pro 32 is arguably the best OS out there. If you game doesn't natively support 64 computing, then isn't not going to make a difference.

 

If you have the hardware to support 64-bit like the Core 2 Duo Santa Rosa platform for example, you can request as many free trial copies of Windows XP 64-bit from Microsoft as you like. They are 180-day trial software...and it costs like $5-6 for shipping.

 

Well driver support is much improved now but you make a good point that XP Professional SP2 32-bit is a very stable OS. 32-bit will recognize up to like 3.2GB so perhaps a RAM upgrade would be enough. I think upgrading to Windows XP 64-bit just for a game or two (which may not be compatible with 64-bit) is not really worth it when you can function with 3GB RAM on a 32-bit OS.

 

Here you can get someinformations about it:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/default.mspx
if you want to ty it, here is a trial version:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/trial.mspx
I don't know whether you can update from a 32 bit to a 64, I think you have to get a total new installation CD, but as far as I know, it's a bit less expensive than the 32 bit Windows.

 

As far as I know, it's a totally new installation. Can't upgrade from any OS at all. Boot straight from disc into installer.

 

thanks for replies. I'll probably stick to the 32 bit then.
By the way , is vista 64bit?

 

Its available in both 32 as well as 64bit.