Windows XP 64bit or 32bit? 2

[daveparkinson]

My company is just about to invest in a new laptop so that I can do more work from home. I have pretty much settled on a Dell M90 with 4GB RAM, Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz 4MB L2 cache 667MHz FSB, 17" WUXGA Screen, NVIDIA® Quadro® FX 2500M with 512MB GFX.

My question is which operating system should I choose? I'm going to be running SW 2008. I have decided against Vista as I can not use it with my CAM package until the next release of the CAM package is released, which could be months from now.

Windows XP 64bit has the benefit of running more RAM, I believe the limit with 32bit is 3GB, but I could be wrong? I have heard that XP 64bit is unstable, but I never quite believe when people badmouth Microsoft because a lot of people just slag them off for the sake of it.

Would there be any conflicts when using XP 64bit on my laptop and XP 32bit on my desktop at work?

I would appreciate any advice, what would you guys choose to do?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The Dell M6300 has replaced the M90. It would be better to go for the newer model. I believe the price is similar.

 

[daveparkinson]

I priced up the M6300 but found it to be slightly more expensive, it also had a 256MB graphics card whereas the M90 has 512MB.

The hard-drive and processor were both better on the M6300 however.

I would like to hear what Jeff has to say on this matter as he has an M90

 

[NL8]

The are no compatibility issues with SW files created in 64bit vs. 32 bit. Currently my work station is running 64 bit while my coworkers are running only 32 bit. I've found 64bit to be more stable and better at handling large assemblies and complex parts than 32 bit. 32 bit is limited to ~4 GB of RAM with 2 GB allocated to the OS and 2 GB allocated to applications. This can be changed to a 3 to 1 ration in favor of applications with the 3 GB switch. If you have the choice of OS I would just go with 64 bit however and save yourself the hassle. Even if you implement the 3 GB switch you are still capped at 4 GB of RAM, a limitation that 64 bit does not suffer.

Joe Hasik, CSWP
SW 08 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The Dell M6300 can have either the FX3600M @ 512MB or FX1600M @ 256MB.

M6300 Base price = $1750

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/precn_m6300?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04

M90 Base Price = $1710

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&oc=MLB1825&s=biz

 

[daveparkinson]

The option for the FX3600M @ 512MB is not available on the UK site, I'll give them a call now and see if it is possible. Who knows it could just be a mistake on the UK website.

 

[daveparkinson]

Seems to be a problem on the UK website! I called up and the FX3600M 512MB is a valid choice.

Thanks for the heads up CBL!

 

[EEnd]

I have heard that the memory on the video card counts as part of the system total. So, with a 32-bit OS and 512MB on the video card, 512MB of your 4GB of RAM would be inaccessible. Just more food for thought.

Eric

 

[NL8]

EEnd,

That is a true statement.

Joe Hasik, CSWP
SW 08 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

 

[daveparkinson]

What does that mean to simpletons such as myself? A reduction in performance?

 

[mx2street]

I would have to go +1 on the use of XP x64. It's always nice to have a more future proof system. Although that could prevent you from getting more timely upgrades

The system I'm running right now is extremely stable even with assemblies of over 12,000 bodies. And just make sure your drivers and service packs are always up to date.

Tony Murschel, CSWA
Dual Xeon 5160 10GB RAM
Nvidia Quadro FX 4500
SWX 2008 SP3.0 x64

 

[NL8]

Dave,

You won't see a reduction in performance by having more RAM than your system can handle. It just means that you spent money on memory that your system can't use.


Joe Hasik, CSWP
SW 08 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

 

[daveparkinson]

Righto! Thanks for the advice guys, I've gone ahead and placed the order today for the following specification.

CPU: Intel Core™2 Duo 2.2Ghz 4mb
RAM: 4GB RAM
DISPLAY: 17" WUXGA (1920*1200) LCD Screen
GFX: NVIDIA Quadro FX 3600M 512mb (Thanks CBL!)

According to DELL they are not allowed to supply Windows XP 64bit with a computer that has less than 8gb RAM. Personally I found that ridiculous. I might call them up tomorrow and see if I can't squeeze it out of them.

The majority of my assemblies are less than 75 parts so this should be more than capable. It should also do me for some FEA and PhotoWorks renderings that I have planned. Overall I think I'll be very happy. Thanks again for the input guys.

PS: Any views on Dells refusal to supply XP 64bit would be much appreciated.

 

[bhooper]

If the machine in question is a laptop it is likely best to stick to Dell's software and choice of a 32-bit system. I have 64-bit machines at home and have ranged them from laptops to desktops. Laptop hardware can often be specialized in subtle ways that leave you high and dry. My first experiment with 64-bit left me without sound for a long duration.