I Question about 64 bit stuff...

I have a question, I goanna bay myself a now PC soon what I want to know, I�m familiar with pc�s but not up to date with AMD Athlon 64 bit processors my question is if I bay a 64 bit processor and MB will all the normal apps and programs still work or not like winamp, pain shop pro, photoshop or can you still run a 32 bit operating system on a 64 bit processor or not .

Or If I bay win XP 64 bit will all the apps and programs work on it or not I don�t want to bay a 64 bit processor if nothing is working on it jet.

Help please�

I am un-familuar with the new 64 bit technology too, but here is my understanding of it (it could be completely wrong):

The following Operating Systems currently run on 64 bit processors: (List only includes populars)
MS Windows XP 64 bit
MS Windows 2003 Server
A number of Linux Operating Systems.

As for programs, I am un-familiar with Windows programs running on 64 bit processors - I won't get into the technical information about how programs are compiled for 64 bit, but I know - under Linux, when you download a file - you usually have to make sure you download the 64 bit version. Windows may be the same, but I expect - knowing Windows, it may have some sort of emulator in the 64 bit Operating Systems, so you can run 32bit programs. This would seem logical.

Found this...

But will go search some more

AthlonTM64 processor to deliver a high performance platform with dual support for 32-bit applications and increasing 64-bit computing needs.

If Windows 2000 or normal XP can run on the 64 bit processor i dont know.


[Edited on 20-5-2004 by vaswegpg]

Windows 2000 and Windows XP cannot run on 64bit processors. The only Operating Systems I know of that do, are like I said above:
Windows XP 64bit Edition,
Windows 2003 Server (Don't know if it is called 64bit Edition or not, but the information I got through from Microsoft says it runs on 64bit processors and 32bit).

And then the Linux Operating Systems, but obviously you are focused on Windows, so we'll leave them alone.

Hmm... I mis-read the quote from you vaswegpg... Maybe I am wrong then, perhaps 32bit Operating Systems (and applications) can run on 64bit processors?

[Edited on 20-5-2004 by MetalHead]

You can run 32-bit Windows OS on the Athlon64 systems. Athlon64 is supposed to be completely backward compatible with 32-bit code. There are a number of links I Google'd up that talk about it, including some performance comparisons. Here are a couple:

TechTV

TBreak

I really want to try one of these out but have not had the $$ to experiment with. If you get one let us know how you like it.

Yes vaswegpg you can run 32 Bit programs and operating systems on an Athlon 64 since te CPU itself is 32/64bit. So you can run everything you have now but you'll also be ready for the future.

I better by myself one then :-D
I need a new computer.

Thanks for the links Spectre that helped

Well I�m goanna order my new pc next month

• GIGABYTE� K8NSNXP nForce3 250+ IT8712F AMD K8 FSB800 discrete MB
  
• AMD� Athlon� 64 3000+ 64-bit with HyperTransport Technology
  
• GIGABYTE� ATI Radeon 9600 XT AGP-8x 256MB
  
• 2X DDR400 1GB 184-pin: PC3200
  
• 2x Maxtor� 200GB - ATA133 - 7200RPM - 8MB Cache
  

And the rest�

Can�t wait.

Thanks

That is a good spec PC. I really want a new PC
Well... Birthday's coming up! Who knows.

Ye man its goanna be one nice pc better be, saved up lost of money for this one
My estimate is about R12000 for full house new pc, no old parts

Plus

• AOpen� Full Server Silver / Black Tower ATX Chassis
  
• AOpen� 56X IDE CD-ROM Drive
  
• GIGABYTE� 52X32X52 IDE CD-RW Drive
  
• (Thinking of baying)LITEON� DUAL 8x DVD+/-R, 4x DVD+/-RW, 12 x DVD-ROM, 24x CD-R, 24x CD-RW, 40x CD-ROM
  
• x3 Cooler Master� Copper RAM Module Cooler
  
• Cooler Master� 80mm System Blower
  
• Cooler Master� AeroGate 2� 4 Channel Monitored Fan Speed Controller
  
• (Thinking of baying)GIGABYTE� Universal Cooler (P4 + K7 + K8) - Fan Speed Control
  
• and then the mouse, keyboard, speaker system.....
  
• Still finking what sound card.