Planning my first build and would like to know what the benefits are, if any, of going with a 64 bit processor. Here is what I gather so far:
1) There are only two operating systems readily available which operate in 64 bit, Win XP 64 being one and a Linux OS
2) If you are not running a 64 bit OS you are losing half the capability of your hardware
3) There are few programs currently available which utilize 64 bit
4) There is a lack of 64 bit drivers for much existing hardware
Whether the above four items are correct or not, is there any advantage inherent in a 64 bit processor over a 32 bit processor if you are running a 32 bit OS and 32 bit programs? Is there acually a disadvantage with a 64 bit processor compared with a 32 bit processor with the same clock speed (and same RAM size) when running a 32 bit OS or 32 bit program? How does the FSB speed factor into the overall system speed when comparing 32 bit and 64 bit?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions. I kind of want to justify to my poweruser friend my desire to build a 64 bit system even though I probably won't be using it initially, or even for the first year, with 64 bit programs.
1) There are only two operating systems readily available which operate in 64 bit, Win XP 64 being one and a Linux OS
2) If you are not running a 64 bit OS you are losing half the capability of your hardware
3) There are few programs currently available which utilize 64 bit
4) There is a lack of 64 bit drivers for much existing hardware
Whether the above four items are correct or not, is there any advantage inherent in a 64 bit processor over a 32 bit processor if you are running a 32 bit OS and 32 bit programs? Is there acually a disadvantage with a 64 bit processor compared with a 32 bit processor with the same clock speed (and same RAM size) when running a 32 bit OS or 32 bit program? How does the FSB speed factor into the overall system speed when comparing 32 bit and 64 bit?
Sorry if these sound like stupid questions. I kind of want to justify to my poweruser friend my desire to build a 64 bit system even though I probably won't be using it initially, or even for the first year, with 64 bit programs.