Windows XP Professional x64 Edition RC1 tested

Kai Schmerer ZDNet Germany

Published: 05 Jan 2005

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Performance

With a new operating system, performance is decisive for many users. However, since there are no 64-bit applications available for the Windows platform at the moment, the focus is largely on 32-bit performance.

We did ask some manufacturers for 64-bit Windows software. The 64-bit versions of Unreal Tournament and Shadow Ops should be available shortly, and 64-bit applications such as Panorama Factory are in the pipeline. As soon as 64-bit programs become available, we will evaluate their performance compared to their 32-bit counterparts.

The 64-bit version of Windows can more address more memory. With the 32-bit version the maximum is 4GB, while systems running the 64-bit version will have as much as 32GB. For desktop PCs there may be little immediate advantage, as few users are likely to be troubled by the current 4GB limit. However, a closer examination of the memory subsystem reveals some disadvantages of 32-bit Windows. For example, the maximum size of the non-paged pool of memory is only 256MB, compared to 128GB under 64-bit Windows. The operating system uses this pool for virtual addresses, which remain in memory and are not paged out to the hard disk. The bigger this pool, the faster the operating system.

Differences between 64-bit and 32-bit Windows
Address space	Windows 64	Windows 32
Virtual memory	16TB	4GB
Paging file	512TB	16TB
Paged pool	128GB	470MB
Non-paged pool	128GB	256MB
System cache	1TB	1GB

Compared to a 32-bit operating system, a 64-bit OS needs more memory. The comparison table below shows that kernel of the 64-bit version takes up nearly 70 per cent more memory than its 32-bit counterpart. So in order to get the same performance level, users switching to 64-bit Windows will need to upgrade their systems' memory.

Storage requirements: 64-bit v 32-bit
Kernel memory (KB)	Windows XP 64	Windows XP 32
Total	52120	31344
Paged	40572	25396
Non-paged	11548	5840

 

• Introduction


• Installation & driver support


• Performance


• Driver performance


• 3D games performance


• Conclusion

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