Is 64 Bit Worth It?

LGM · Tue 21/12/2004 21:42:03

Okay, I'm going to be upgrading the main components of my PC this Christmas.

I was looking at an AMD AthlonXP Barton 3000+ off of NewEgg, but the retail seems to have dissapeared from the site.. So then, I got thinking.. The 3000+ 64 Bit Athlon is basically the same price, and they have the retail version.

Is it worth it to get the 64 bit CPU as opposed to the non? Is there any big blaring cons to buying one? If there isn't presently, will I regret it in the long run?

I would, of course, get a Gigabyte board with the nForce 3 chipset along with it, and PC3200 512MB RAM.

Should I suck it up and learn how to get my own Heatsink and fan with the OEM CPU, or bite the bullet and go 64. Lemme hear your thoughts!

Sylpher · Tue 21/12/2004 22:29:52

If the major thing hindering your desicion is how to install a heatsink I don't think it is really going to make a big difference to you if you get a 64 or 32 bit.

If you want a straight answer I will say there is no harm in getting a 64 bit and in the long run may prove a better purchase.

TheYak · Tue 21/12/2004 22:53:45

The 64's haven't really seen their full potential. Currently, WinXP doesn't support them any better than it does the 32-bit processors. However, there's a 64-bit version of the OS that's been in beta for about a year (The update may've been released by now, I'm still 32-bit

). There are also more and more 64-bit specific drivers and patches for XP and XP-based programs.

From reviews I've read (by now, many) the 64's are a speedier chip-base and are doing quite well, particularly in raw computational power (The AMD's have been better at floating point than the equivalent p4's for awhile but the 64's are more competitive with integer calculations), meaning better handling of linear calculations such as video conversions and photoshop calcs. If getting a new motherboard and AMD 64 is close to the same price as a Barton, there's no reason to take a step backwards.

One caveat, you have to be a touch more careful with RAM decisions. After getting a new motherboard (and be certain to go socket 939 instead of 940) you'll need to check the recommended memory listings to be certain you're using RAM that's been tested with the board (the mobo manufacturer won't cover memory tech support otherwise) or at least check the RAM vendor's site to see if it's been tested with the motherboard (in which case you can pursue tech support with them). The socket 939 spec is newer and doesn't require the more expensive and more difficult to find Registered RAM.

Personally, when I can afford it, I'll probably be going for an Asus AV8 mobo and AMD 64 3800+, though I'd love to go the 64-bit FX route.

[Edit: I didn't mention 754's as they seemed more of an interim introduction, the 939 has more headroom and more overclockability. The 939 also is the chipset of the speediest motherboard's I've seen reviewed. The 754 is probably more than adequate for current needs. By the time the full potential of 939 is reached, it'll probably be time for a slightly upgraded chipset spec anyway.]

LGM · Wed 22/12/2004 00:29:02

Wait a minute.. The 64 Bit Athlon on Newegg is socket 754... I remember reading there was some issue with the socket types.. One being newer and better than the other. I don't know much about 64 Bit processors, Maybe I should do some research.

Sylpher: hehe, I know alot more about computers than you think.. I've just never actually dealt with applying thermal paste and stuff. I know how heatsinks and such WORK, I just wouldn't trust myself to do it right.

LGM · Wed 22/12/2004 01:22:46

I'll double post for a bumpy wumpy...

Okay, anyways.. After a continued research, I've deiced to go with this system:

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512k L2 Cache 64-bit Processor (Socket 754)

DFI Lanboy NForce 3 250Gb

Two sticks of Rosewill 184-pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 RAM

Rosewill Radeon 9600 Video Card, 256MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP

This seems to be the best taylored for my needs. I don't need uber, top-of-the-line gaming performance, I just need something fast and capable of editing films and playing the latest games at a decent rate. What do you think of my concoction?

All of this will cost me $420 including shipping... Newegg is even throwing in a free copy of FarCry. Awesomeness. Oh, and I don't have to pay for the GFX card, as it's already paid for by my mother.. As she owes me it for reasons I shall not explain.

DCillusion · Wed 22/12/2004 01:47:31

As long as it supports 32-bit as well 64-bit. 64-bit is good because it has a higher FSB, (the ACTUAL speed of your computer). A high FSB 64-bit PC will still affect your old applications.

LGM · Wed 22/12/2004 01:59:37

Yes, but the thing I'm worried about is the long run.

Will I regret having a 754 in a year, a month? I mean, I know the dual channel benefit is miniscule.. But everyone seems to favor 939.... Why can't Newegg just offer a 939 version of the 3000+?!?! grr

AGA · Wed 22/12/2004 03:49:55

Get a gig of memory. Having a processor of that speed and that little memory will impair your performance...

LGM · Wed 22/12/2004 04:31:37

I'm aware of that.. But for now it will have to do. I only have so much money.

SSH · Wed 22/12/2004 07:26:43

Of course, you already can get proper 64-bit Linux, and we use it at work for running our logic synthesis and place-and-route jobs. The speedup from a Pentium system to an Opteron is huge, and there's nothing quite as fast as a run done over 4 CPUs super-threaded....

64 bit apps do run slightly slower than 32 bit apps on a 64-bit machine... why? Well, the instructions and data are bigger and so you cant fit as many in the cache

LGM · Sat 25/12/2004 17:54:34

Well.. 64 Bit Plans backfired when I discovered my awesome parents got me my original MoBo choice, an ABIT NF7-S

Not bad.

Anyways, I was doing some searching today.. And I found a Athlon XP 3200+ OEM for $133.. LiekOMGWTF! I bought a thermaltake Volcano 12 heatsink and fan for it aswell, and hoping installation isn't has hard as I make it out to be.

I also ordered a 512 MB stick of Roseill 400Mhz RAM.. That way, once I get a little extra dough later on, I can get another stick and have 1 GIG. I think I can last with 512 for awhile.

Ol' LGM lucked out! w00t!

Happyhelmet · Sat 25/12/2004 21:20:35

awesome choice. i'm actually running the same mobo and processor. I really like the way ABIT manufactures their boards. i dropped the pair into a thermaltake XaserIII to keep in cool in warm weather. unfortuantely i have paired 256mb and can't wait till i get the money/motivation to get paired 512mb.

the 64's are pretty badass i noticed as i watched my father set his up. they run a tad warmer than the XP's but i don't think they are really a worthy upgrade until we get more software that supports them. Although, if you really wanted and/or had the money, going for the FX-53 or FX-55 would be sweet for gaming and such. Although Intel brags about performance, in the benchmarks, Athlon wins hands down so until i have to run a bunch of "business applications" or a server, i'm gonna stick with Athlon.

cheers.

LGM · Sun 26/12/2004 02:12:14

Yea. I think, for me, the pros outweigh the cons for me to get a 64 bit right now.. At my price range.

Once PCI-X has a year or two to mature, and better DDR comes out.. I can upgrade again to 64 bit.