Win Xp 64 bit

[Mark Miller]

Just read an interesting article on c.net
http://msn-cnet.com.com/2100-1006_3-5060856.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=cdf&tag=mymsn
Seems that besides a server edtion for the new amd 64 bit chip, there will be an Xp version also. My question is what will anybody do with it. How many applications are out there that will be of any use? Also, how many people are going to go for the full gigs of mem you can now use?
Well I guess it's progress. Now for sure I'm going to wait for my next computer.
Mark

[Budfred]

It will be a while before the 64bit systems/software will be able to do much more than what is currently possible, but you can bet it is coming and eventually it will be the norm... That game they referred to, along with any number of other games that will use it, will be the fuel to the fire....

[Paul Komski]

This quote from the article sums up the pertinent issues.
The Athlon 64 can run both 32-bit software, the kind found on most desktops today, and 64-bit software, which is found mainly on high-end Unix machines. The big advantage to computing in 64-bit mode is that the computer can handle more than 4GB of memory, the limit on 32-bit computers.

Most ordinary users are not going to use more than 4GB RAM so although other factors such as cpu architecture, cacheing and so on will be of relevance to improved performance, unless people are going to shell-out for huge amounts of RAM there is likely to be little to gain.

With HDD's being one of the "weakest links" what we are all waiting for is cheap, enormous and STATIC RAM, which can then make the HDD redundant! (well almost!). ;)

[Mark Miller]

Hi Paul,
Exactly what do you mean by static ram, never heard of it?
Mark

[malcore]

Static RAM is the expensive memory that is used in a CPU's cache.

Look at the difference in names: Static and Dynamic RAM. Dynamic RAM, like SDRAM, our system memory, constantly needs to be "refreshed" by the controller or CPU. This will happen thousands of times per second. Because it must be constantly refreshed, Dynamic RAM is much slower than Static RAM, which requires no refreshing.

For Static RAM to not need refreshing, a cell will be contructed differently taking up much more space on a chip. Therefore, 512MB of Static RAM would be HUGE in comparison to 512MB of Dynamic RAM, and a great deal more expensive to produce.

If the size and price of Static RAM could be reduced dramatically, its use as a storage medium instead of HDDs would completely eliminate the present bottlenecks we now have with hard drives.


Edit- More info here (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/ram/typesSRAM-c.html)

[Mark Miller]

Thanks Mal,
Great link, I probably should have just done that myself, but then I wouldn't get to chat with you guys:D :D
Mark

[Budfred]

softcris,

Your post was moved to its own thread here:

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=53104

[SufferWell1396]

Think about that, in the future when Hard Disks are rendered obsolete and not needed, think of how many companies will loose profit and might even go bankrupt (seagate, western digital) But i think that when hard disks arent needed, it will be a while further in the future.

[Budfred]

Think about that, in the future when Hard Disks are rendered obsolete and not needed, think of how many companies will loose profit and might even go bankrupt (seagate, western digital) But i think that when hard disks arent needed, it will be a while further in the future.
This thread is 3 and a half years old... If you want to discuss issues noted here, it would be a good idea to start a new thread...

[SufferWell1396]

opps, i didnt even notice, just that someone had posted in it recently, so i thought it was new, sorry, i should start paying attention to the post dates.