Plans for the future

[Zoness]

You probably get this all the time but I think I should ask. Is it worth having a 64-bit system now just for the future? I do know that Windows XP 64 is not all that great yet considering there aren't many 64-bit drivers out and none of my current gen stuff will work ver efficiently but do you think it is worth building one just to get ready for the future?

Right now I am thinking of upgradeing my relatively low grade gfx card (Radeon 9600se) to a higher end one but I don't know I want to spend top dollar on the fastest AGP card if sooner or later I'll get a motherboard without an AGP slot.

....Is it worth it?

 

[Ultraviolet]

I'd get a pci gpu as like you say agp is on its way out. I tried the latest version on windows 64bit on my machine and in a word it is crap. But in the future it may be better. 64bit cpu's you can get for failry cheap so you may aswell go for one

 

[d1ck0]

All depends on how much money you want too spend

AMD Athlon64 3000 Venice Retail Socket 939 £79.04

Asrock 939Dual SATA2 PCI-E x16 + AGP x8 + SATA 2 £40.97

with that m/b you have AGP and PCIE (cheaper upgrade path)


total :- £120.01 or $213.82

Thats the lowest AMD64 option I can see here in UK atm, plus you can still use DDR ram you may already have and the Radeon 9600se (which should post slightly better fps with the better cpu)

 

[mdd1963]

XP Pro 64 has advantages such as unfettered >4 GB mem addressing, etc., but unless you need it, I'd wait until at least Conroe/AM2 are released, and official "Direct x 10.0" capable video cards are released at a minimum beofre building a rig with 64 bit procesing in mind, with an eye towards "Vista 64 bit" ready...; and as Vista won't be out until Jan 07, it's not a great concern at the moment for most.

 

[techtre2003]

I don't think you should be concerned about 64 bit; but I would definately get a PCI-E graphics card if you are going to upgrade!

 

[Zoness]

Chipwise I am considering an Athlon 64 3700 (San Diego) will it be good enough for gaming? Especially if I get a high end gfx card.

And If I build 64-bit then I should just install normal windows, does that work?

Sorry for my unknowingness, after building my first machine I got out of the hardware loop.

 

[techtre2003]

The 3700 will be just fine for gaming. The graphics card is what is going to determine what games you will be able to run and what settings you will be able to use. Just install the 32-bit version of Windows XP now. It will work (that's probably what >95% of people with A64s have). You can always go to Windows 64 or Vista when you need to.

 

[Zoness]

Too bad I don't have the money, a 64-bit system is sounding better all the time.