Windows XP Professional x64 Edition RC1 tested

Kai Schmerer ZDNet Germany

Published: 05 Jan 2005

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Conclusion
Build 1289 of 64-bit Windows XP already appears to be relatively well developed. Certainly it showed no evidence of instability during our tests. And as far as performance is concerned, we can expect the 64-bit version to match the current version when running 32-bit applications.

When it comes to support for newer hardware, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition offers some advantages over the 32-bit version. For example, the Nforce4 chipset is supported as standard, which is not the case with the current version of Windows XP. Support for older hardware looks more problematic, although manufacturers still have several months to get driver support in place for their products.

Although driver support may not be a huge problem, that's not the case with 64-bit applications. Switching to a 64-bit operating system only makes sense if applications are available that either run faster or offer more functions than their 32-bit counterparts. The changeover from 16-bit to 32-bit computing lasted some time, until the newer platform offered clear advantages. This same will undoubtedly happen with the 32-bit-to-64-bit transition.

The availability of Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a first step toward 64-bit computing on the desktop, but further ones must follow. Doom3, FarCry and other top games will soon be available for the 64-bit platform, and if performance advantages are evident with the arrival of these games, home users could give the 64-bit platform a boost. Then perhaps Intel will finally jump up on the 64-bit-bandwagon that was set rolling by AMD and Microsoft.

• Introduction


• Installation & driver support


• Performance


• Driver performance


• 3D games performance


• Conclusion

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