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64-Bit Windows Releases Now Available
SimplyJeff writes "Athlon 64 users rejoice! Today at WinHEC 2005 in Seattle, Microsoft announced availability of the 64-bit editions of Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Strangely (and possibly a sign the drivers aren't yet up to snuff), Microsoft will not sell the 64-bit releases in retail outlets. For now, only new PC buys can get Windows x64 Edition as an option. However, those who purchased Windows XP after March 31, 2003, can trade in their copy for the 64-bit version at a cost of $12 and a voided warranty. Although, x64 users will get one free support call to Microsoft." Reader bonch adds a link to CNET's review of the OS.
And in my opinion, the $12 trade sounds like a nice deal.
The $12 trade in deal is only valid if you purchased a PC with WinXP preinstalled. If you built your own system and installed a retail WinXP the offer doesn't apply.
See MS link to it here.
Unless a driver says it's certified to work with XP64, it won't load. If your hardware isn't supported by default, you have to find a 64 bit driver. (There may be a few exceptions, such as USB devices where the "driver" is really more like instructions to the OS on how to operate the device and not low level hardware interface.) If your hardware isn't supported, you can't use it until the manufacturer releases a 64bit driver. I can't use XP64 on my Asus K8V because I have SATA hard drivers and there are no 64 bit drivers for non-RAID mode.
Wrong. See here:
/. story.
If you built your PC yourself [snip] the link to the right.
The link to the right being the same link given in the
Funny. When you click that link on the right (or the one in the slashdot summary) you're taken to a page that says otherwise:
Technology Advancement Program Eligibility
In order to be eligible to receive Windows® XP Professional x64 Edition, your computer must have been ordered between March 31, 2003 and July 31, 2005 with Microsoft Windows® XP Pro (32 Bit) preinstalled. (Emphasis mine)
In addition, you must read and agree to the following:
Right now, I click the link but can't agree to the terms on their form, so 64bit for $12 is impossible for me--I installed WinXP on my own from a copy I bought from NewEgg. Maybe it's a catch-22, or maybe the webdev team just screwed up. I sure hope it's the second and your right.
Tiger is NOT fully 64-bit. The memory system supports 64-bit pointers. But you can't write a 64-bit GUI application. Carbon and Cocoa are not 64-bit.
A 64-bit application has to be broken into two executables, a 32-bit GUI front-end and a 64-bit engine.
"Great, now all people need are some applications really designed to take advantage of it...."
Newtek just announced a 64-bit version of Lightwave. Okay, this isn't a must-have product for the masses, but 3d artists tend to be the ones to make the most of their new found bits and hertz.
"Derp de derp."
The OS is there for whoever needs it. Microsoft is just making sure that people don't start upgrading without understanding the limitations.
http://techreport.com/reviews/2005q1/64-bits/index .x?pg=1
It's not just about memory.
AMD made it so that a program running in pure 64-bit mode has access to double the number of general purpose registers and SIMD registers. More registers == fewer memory accesses && fewer memory accesses == faster programs.