64 Bit Computer 3

[dogarila]

This question may sound a bit dumb. My home computer suddenly died and I need to buy a new one. I want to be able to run SW2006 and be ready for Windows Vista. I am considering a 64 bit computer. Would I be able to install and run my old copy of Microsoft Office XP or do I need to buy a new 64 bit one? Can I install for now my old Windows XP Pro? Do I need a 64 bit copy of SW or can I use the one that I have right now? And so on..

 

[PDMAdmin]

You shouldn't have a problem running 32-bit apps on a 64-bit machine. However, to get the benefit of 64-bit with SolidWorks, you must have 64-bit versions of all the following:

1) Computer hardware
2) Windows
3) SolidWorks

 

[J-C]

The current 64 bit CPUs can run both 32bit and 64bit. Your current winxp, Office, and Solidworks will work fine. You still will not however be able to take advantage of the 64bit features (Like more RAM). It just runs everything in 32bit mode.

To run in 64bit mode, you'll need a 64bit operating system like Winxp64. Problem there is all your programs will need to be 64bit versions too. Solidworks does have a 64bit version in beta right now.

64bit will mostly only help you overcome the memory limits of 32bit. So you would be able to use more than 4gb of memory in your computer.

So buying a 64bit cpu now, still leaves you open for the future. If you need the capabilities now, you could do a dual boot Winxp32 and Winxp64.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP3.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[Theophilus]

I wouldn't wait for Vista if I were you--or do too much to configure your system in anticipation for Vista. Between now and ten years from now when Vista is ultimately released, a lot will change--so the system you build will likely be out of date by then.

I've used an AMD-based 64-bit system running 32-bit applications and OS for a couple of years and am planning on purchasing a new machine (for work) very soon. At this point, it certainly doesn't pay for me to wait for Microsoft, especially since it looks like the life of XP will be VERY long (SP 3 not due to be released until 2007).

Since you spoke of your home system, you may want to consider an inexpensive 64-bit, dual-core chip (yeah, a bit of an oxymoron, but prices are quite low for the performance) for now and wait until Microsoft and other software vendors actually deliver something before hanging yourself on a limb in anticipation.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[dogarila]

Thank you, gentlemen, for your helpful comments. It seems that AMD is not very popular in Greater Toronto Area. I am thinking to go either with a Pentium 4 650 HT (is this a 64-bit CPU?) or a Pentium D 830. The first one would give me better performance for SW, the second one would give me better performance for videoediting and encoding.