Question RE 64bit CPU's and 32/64bit OS's

[kmfdmk]

I've just gotten a AMD Opteron 165, which is 64bit. Do I need to switch to XP Pro 64-bit edtn? Should I switch to XP Pro 64-bit edtn? I'm guessing that for all the stuff I used I'd have to come up with a 64-bit driver right?

I've got XP Pro (32-bit) installed, and I'm planning to just swap over my drives and boot to safe-mode on the new system, then simply remove any devices from the old system and then RBNM (Reboot normal mode) and install the new drivers (on the 32-bit OS). If I have to I'll simply do an IPU (In-Place Upgrade - MS's fancy name for Installing the OS overtop itself.)

Thoughts, suggestions, comments, things to watch out for?

[keesor]

If you don't have any 64 bit apps I really wouldn't mess with it. Unless the app can take advantage of a 64 bit OS it won't run any faster than it will on a 32 bit OS.

[Stang420]

From what I hear, XP 64 isn't really that great. I'd just stick with 32 bit XP for now.

[Davis Silver Sti]

don't go 64 bit for the OS.

You'll go crazy trying to get drivers for it and for them to work together. No way would I rely on a 64bit OS for productivity. (tinker comp perhaps)

The earliest that I'll go 64 bit is in at least a year from now.

[keesor]

You could always dual boot Solaris 10 x64 along with windows. That way you'll have a true 64bit OS and still have windows for all of your apps!!!

[Racerx300zx]

truly 64 bit is a waste right now, just run win32 and forget about it. I'm sure vista will be much better with the whole 32/64 processors, or at least we can hope so