ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:* First disadvantage is that even now not many programs come in 64-bit. A good example is that there is no 64-bit media player. So eventhough it you can still use 32-bit players, you are essentially wasting the additional processing power by not using it. PS doesn't have 64-bit version either.

I wouldn't claim that as a disadvantage...

Today, 64 bit has no serious disadvantage, due to its popularity and support. But if you have to list, this would count as a waste of resource. Hence a downside.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:* 64-bit machines draw more power and heat up more due to the same.

Not really.  All CPUs these days are 64 bit.  Disabling 64 bit extensions doesn't magically lower electricity usage...

I did not say 64-bit OS. 64-bit machine, tend to draw more power and heat up more. But that is still very little to seriously cause an issue.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:* 64 bit drivers are still a big issue.

Not really - CPU drivers exist (obviously).  All mobo manufactures include necessary 64 bit drivers for components on them, to my knowledge at least (my 2.5 year old MSI K8N Diamond mobo did, so I expect all current gen mobos to do the same).  nVidia has 64 bit drivers, and I'd expect ATI to as well.  If I recall correctly, Creative have 64 bit drivers too.  So really, most of your bases should be covered.  There may be some older peripherals where drivers don't exist, so I'd suggest checking those though.

That is my point. Older devices. Modern day devices have little, if any, problems with 64-bit. The most primary issue is that not many vendors include 64-bit OS with laptops/pre-built machines.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:* Some language compilers are reported to have issues in a 64-bit environment.

Not a 32 bit compiler...

Wee are strictly talking 64-bit. Not compatibility.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:

feinicks Wrote:* Not many games use 64-bit capabilities.

Not a disadvantage.[\quote]
To some it is. 64-bit gaming is faster, more detailed and more enjoyable. and then again. A game is a major resource hog. Its surely a waste of processing power if it doesn't use it all!

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:[quote=feinicks]* although most 64-bit OS support 32-bit applications, some 32-bit applications do not support 64-bit OS.

Primarily system level applications.

Even so..

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feinicks Wrote:Nope. Extra power is needed for better RAM utilization and processing. Its not too significant. But only real life test will confirm that.

I can't see sending a few extra bits over a bus to be a significant difference.  The main power drain is from CPU cycles, not sending messages over a bus...

Given, but still it does include it all. I am referring to the entire Processing process. from calculations in the processor to transfer of data to RAM, Northbridge etc. 64-bit processors will increase CPU cycles as you said, and that in turn will increase the overall power consumption. However, this is increase is good only for statistics. Not real life scenario, where its hardly noticeable.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:On the other side, you're unlikely to get a significant speed boost.  Applications must be compiled into 64 bit for you to get any advantage.  Also, 64 bit doesn't double clockspeed, it just adds a few improvements over the existing x86 architecture (more GP registers and built in SIMD extensions etc (for the latter, basically all modern CPUs have these extensions anyway, it just allows compilers to use them directly)).
64 bit also does consume more memory (pointers are now 8 bytes in length as opposed to 4 bytes)
[quote]

which is the reason for one of my earlier disadvantages. Consider this, there is no decent music player (WMP and iTunes are exceptions) with 64-bit capability and a media player is one of the most utilized software. same goes for Browsers. No one in right senses would use IE and Firefox 64-bit is unstable.

[quote=ZiNgA BuRgA]
Windows XP x64 works very well actually - IMO much better than Vista x64, however, you may not be able to use it unless you have the drivers...

I had no major issues, as in modern day, 64-bit drivers are really not as much an issue as they were a couple of years ago...