32 or 64

[-Psy-]

I currently have a 3200+ 32bit AMD, but I could buy a new 64 bit 3200+ AMD. Would it make a lot of difference?

 

[Cole]

If you have a 3200Xp then yeah there would be a nice difference.

 

[Ren.182]

Yeah, i'd say so. It can handle double the instructions. Plus it's more future proof, for things like Windows Vista and games that will use higher-res textures in 64-bit.

Sorry if none of this makes sense... I'm -really- tired.

 

[Synthos]

I wouldn't bother buying a 64 bit now... no games use it, and win x64 is buggy.

NO WAY i would bother upgrading, unless I needed a new video card and RAM too...

 

[Ennui]

Not yet. Wait until there's more 64 bit support, then get a 4000+ or something. UT2007, etc.

 

[JNightshade]

word to that. I would've waited longer, but my motherboard and CPU fried, and I figured there was no point in wasting my money, re-buying the same stuff.

 

[Cole]

I would not buy a 3200+64 for 64bit, but for a faster processor a 3200+64 is much better than a 3200+XP

 

[AtomicSpark]

ugh.. why do people keep saying windows x64 is buggy? I have the actual version and have had no problems. It works much more nicely. Besides its baised on windows server 2003 and is much more secure and pretty. Mhmmz.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

I currently have a 3200+ 32bit AMD, but I could buy a new 64 bit 3200+ AMD. Would it make a lot of difference?

If your future proofing, then yeah.

If you want immediate results, best stick to Ram and Graphics. Software is not bountiful to take advantage of the hardware. However, it is believed that windows vista will have x64 version on retail shelfs (rather than having to buy it online), if you want to buy the new OS, then 64bit processor will make much difference

 

[xLostx]

no point in buying it now, just hold off and save up a bit more to get something better when 64 bit is more popular/required.

 

[Asus]

Moving to Athlon 64 (onboard memory controller) over an Athlon XP will boost game perforamnce for sure. My friend went from an Athlon XP 2800+ to Athlon 64 2800+ and his lag in games went away quite a bit. My friend had someone lined up to buy his old CPU/Board so it was easy for him to upgrade though.

Since you have to change the board, make your choice carefully when you make that switch and how far you shoot up on the ladder for CPU speed. Athlon 64 3500+ or 3800+ (dual core) are the sweet spots for performance/price really. If you have limited funds, think twice before spending. Switching to Athlon 64 might help but you might be needing to upgrade again to a faster speed down the line to keep up with any new demanding game if you shoot to low. Unless of course you know how to OC.

FYI im talking all running in 32bits on Windows XP. 64bit is nice to tweak with and can run stable if you have actually found the drivers for everything but I wouldn't recommend someone to upgrade for it alone. Game performance is mixed so far in Windows XP 64bit.