Windows XP 64-bit vs. Windows 7 x64

[Deeyou]

I have a dilemma....

My new build is going to consist of an SSD for the OS/App drive. I am going to be using my PC as a DAW for audio production. I have two major concerns.

1 - The massive footprint and RAM usage of Win 7

and

2 - The compatibility of VST/VSTi plugins w/ Win 7

But I am going to build a mini-ITX with 16gb of RAM and, obviously, this would go to waste under an standard XP 32 bit install.

Basically, what I want to know is.... Will I have any issues running XP 64 with some of the newest mobo's out there w/ the Sandy Bridge CPU's? Or am I looking at a driver nightmare?

 

[PhilFrisbie]

Don't bother with XP 64 bit; it has very poor driver support and no support for advanced SSD features. So, yes, you WILL have major issues with a new motherboard

Windows 7 does not have a much higher memory footprint, and the 64 bit driver support is great!

 

[Deeyou]

I just wish there was a way to streamline Win 7 installs to the size of XP...

Hate that the footprint is so large....even with the optimizations it's still around 30 gb