Whither then, 64 bit architecture?

[Milliron1]

I am researching my new build (endlessly--it's the fun part to me) and am frustrated by the computing world's inability/unwillingness to shift to 64 bit computing. I would very much like to built a 64 bit system, but I get endless horror stories about incompatibility, driver problems, and what have you. By all accounts, there seems to be no appreciable performance difference in running a 64 bit OS beyond being able to load more than 4GB of RAM. However, I see folks are still building them.

I have wanted to go 64 bit for years, but if it's just going to turn into a huge boondoggle for no real performance increase, I'm not. FWIW, I am a relatively casual user, but an enthusiast of sorts. I don't do huge number crunching, some gaming I suppose, and some business software. I keep hearing that ultimately we all will be going 64 bit, but since MS can't seem to make the big leap (backwards compatibility, I suppose), we all seem to be stuck in 1997.

Is there any reason to build around a 64 bit OS? Are the driver/compatibility problems as bad as they say? I do not anticipate using much legacy software and no legacy hardware. Is it worth it? What problems are 64 bit users encountering?

[blue60007]

Right now...other than using 4 gigs or more of RAM, or perhaps some software that might have a faster 64-bit component (something like AutoCAD? not sure) there really isn't a big reason to upgrade (at least, I don't see one). I would suspect once RAM requirements for games push folks to 4 gigs 64 bit might take off. Right now, 2 gigs is usually enough for gaming. Once that isn't enough...folks will probably start moving to 64 bit so they can put more RAM in.

[Katreat]

I agree with Blue. You can be one of the first, and suffer the problems associated with something new and different, or wait until it becomes mainstream. As I understand it there is some performance increase possible if the program you are running transfers huge amounts of data at one time. But since most systems are 32 bit, programers usually design the programs (games) to send smaller amounts of data to optimize performance for the majority of users.

From what people have been posting it appears that Vista 64 is getting more attention then xp 64 did so it should have fewer problems not fixed. Some even say they are getting very good support, just a little slower then Vista 32. But in the end you have to face the fact that because it is new and not yet common you will never get as good as support as what is mainstream.

Blue is right, there is very little reason to upgrade to 64 until games or other programs start pushing the need for more ram. At that point there will be a very fast switchover I would expect.

Kat