32 v 64 bit AMD CPUs?

[TUS 373]

A friend has asked me to spec up and build a new PC for them. On costing it out, I found that there is not such a great difference now between (for example) an AMP Athlon XP 3200 machine - or an AMD Athlon 64 3200 (even taking into account different motherboard, graphics etc).

I have no experience with 64 bit machines so wanted to do some checking with the PH collective. As there is relatively little 64 bit software around yet, will it work OK just loading up a 32 bit version of Windows XP Pro and using everyday 32 bit applications. We are not really interested in the what the 64 bit CPU can do at the moment, but given that this person is not techy and buys a completely new PC every 5 or years or so, I think going the 64 bit route is probably justified to make it more compatible with future developments.

Can someone just outline any pros and cons of the 64 bit route - and is my understanding (given above) sound?

Many thanks

[pdV6]

Just built an Athlon-64 machine. Thought I might as well because there's effectively no price difference worth worrying about.

Its happily running 32bit-only software even as I type this reply.

[350wedge]

I'll second whats just been said. I've just finished building an AMD 64 3200+ machine as well and right from the outset decided on the 64 just purely because its more 'future proof' than the older 32 bit processors.

Have no compatibility issues at all. Just make sure the chip has the new 'Venice' core, runs cooler and much better for overclocking.

Also would recommend an ASUS A8N-E motherboard. I'm well impressed with mine. Its brand new and compatible with the new breed of dual core processors as well as the current FX series as well. Great for future upgrades.....

>> Edited by 350wedge on Tuesday 26th July 09:48

[pdV6]

350wedge said:

runs cooler

I'll say!

I know you can't set too much store by the temps reported by the freebie software you get with the m/b, but this machine runs at a CPU temperature of 34°C with no cooling other than the heatsink & fan that came with it and a single case fan. (In fact, the system ambient temp is about 10°C higher than the CPU core!)

In comparison, my XP2400+ at home runs at about 64°C in a similar set-up but with 2 case fans.

[TUS 373]

Thanks chaps. The information on the motherboard is also welcomed.

I had been considering an Abit board - Abit AX8, 2000 fsb, PCI-E, on board audio, firewire. It meets my friend's requirements. However, I will certainly take a look at the Asus now and compare it.

This is starting to get me tempted too actually, although I cannot really fault my current Athlon XP 3200 set up (apart from running a little warm!).

Cheers.

[350wedge]

Only thing I found with the ASUS was that it did'nt have a firewire port. My sound card has this though so did'nt worry too much. Plenty of USB2 ports though, can handle up to 12 from memory. I'm using 6 currently but have plenty left....

Had no installation probs with that chip and motherboard combination. No changes to BIOS needed, ran perfectly straight out of the box....

My system temp is the same as pdV6's normally about 34 degrees. Even in that really hot weather we had recently just crept up into the low 40's....

>> Edited by 350wedge on Tuesday 26th July 10:19

>> Edited by 350wedge on Tuesday 26th July 10:19

[TUS 373]

Is this the board you have?

www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9591&GroupID=526

The one I was looking at is:

www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=9607&GroupID=527

Not sure if the Abit is dual core compatible, but 2000 fsb can't be bad?

Edited to say: just studied the descriptions in the above. The bus speeds given in their titles don't match those given in their specs. I.e. the Abit looks like it actually only has a 1000 fsb, but your Asus appears to be 2000 fsb AND also capable of running the 64 FX too. No firewire, but apart from that it looks very good for neglible cost difference.

>> Edited by TUS 373 on Tuesday 26th July 10:25

[350wedge]

Yes thats the board I have

I was'nt too worried about firewire as I had one port which is all i need at the moment. If i need more in future I'll buy a firewire card.

Its compatible with all the FX series chips and the new Dual core's which will be a big advantage in the future

Other key parts of my machine are

1024Mb of Corsair RAM (value select)Soon to be 2GB,
200GB Maxtor SATA hard drive, Very fast and very quiet too..

[Plotloss]

Bus speeds havent really changed as such between 64bit and 32bit.

Its just the multiplier has now gone up to 10.

The pipes are still the same thickness there are just more of them so co-operative multitasking is improved but physical throughput of each 'channel' is the same as it was for the 32bit chips.

[Zad]

Don't get hung up on the memory bus speed. All the reviews I have seen have come up with negligible improvements when running faster memory. The 939 pin AMD64s have a dual channel memory controller built in which can deliver more than enough bandwidth at low latency (which is probably more important than bandwidth).

If it's "free" then there's no problem, but for anyone looking for motherboards then I wouldn't go out of my way to get one.

Mike