First, a moment of silence...

.....

My ancient AMD K6 machine, which lived as a Win95, Win98 and Win2k machine has
finally expired.  It has run down the curtain and joined the Choir Invisible.
It is an ex-workstation.

Well.. I'd better replace it then.

As I type, a replacement is being built for me. It's a pretty decent mid-level
machine: AMD Athlon Dual 64 +6000, 2GB ram, 160GB HD, GeForce 8600 video (not
the best, but budget restrictions applied).  Having heard that problems exist
with Windows XP Pro 64 bit in regard to various programs not working properly
and drivers for various devices not being available... AND needing my
replacement machine today, I'm having Win XP Pro 32 bit installed.  I can
later, if I choose, have the system converted to a dual boot system with the
option of starting in 32 or 64 for approximately an additional $200.00 USD.

The question: Is it worth it?

The MAIN reason for doing this would be to run 64 bit POV-Ray. How much does one
really gain by running the 64 bit version.  Are there any other graphics or
modeling applications that would benefit in any serious way?  How bad ARE the
software and driver problems with XP Pro 64?

(This probably goes without saying, but I have NO intention of going with
Vista.)

Thanks in advance for all replies.

Best Regards,
Mike C.

P.S. All my POV-Ray code files are safely stored on removable media. :-)

Post a reply to this message

Mike the Elder wrote:
> I can
> later, if I choose, have the system converted to a dual boot system with the
> option of starting in 32 or 64 for approximately an additional $200.00 USD.

Let me throw out another idea for you to consider: Make the 64-bit OS Linux.

You've already stated that Povray is the only real reason for the 64-bit 
OS, and Povray is quite happy on Linux. 64-bit Linux has also been 
around a bit longer than 64-bit Windows, and has had a chance to mature 
a bit. ;-)

That said, I'm a Linux fanboy (I'm pounding this out under 32-bit Linux) 
and I haven't had the money to shell out for a 64-bit processor, so I 
can't tell you whether or not the performance difference is worthwhile.

-- 
William Tracy
afi### [at] gmailcom -- wtr### [at] calpolyedu

Stacey's dad!
Took it pretty bad.
I'm afraid of Stacey's dad.
...
Stacey can't you see?
I really need to flee.
I'm afraid of Stacey's dad.

Post a reply to this message

William Tracy <wtr### [at] calpolyedu> wrote:
> Mike the Elder wrote:
> > I can
> > later, if I choose, have the system converted to a dual boot system with the
> > option of starting in 32 or 64 for approximately an additional $200.00 USD.
>
> Let me throw out another idea for you to consider: Make the 64-bit OS Linux.

Actually, I like the idea. I've wanted to learn more about Linux for a while
now.
Can the Linux 64 and XP-Pro 32 live happily on the same machine? (I can't afford
a second machine right now.) ... a second partition? ... a second hard drive?

(As much as I would be "proud to be Micro$oft free", I'm in the middle of too
many Windows based projects to do a cold turkey switch.)

Thanks,
Mike C.

Post a reply to this message

Mike the Elder wrote:

> William Tracy <wtr### [at] calpolyedu> wrote:
>> Mike the Elder wrote:
>> > I can
>> > later, if I choose, have the system converted to a dual boot system
>> > with the option of starting in 32 or 64 for approximately an additional
>> > $200.00 USD.
>>
>> Let me throw out another idea for you to consider: Make the 64-bit OS
>> Linux.
> 
> Actually, I like the idea. I've wanted to learn more about Linux for a
> while now.
> Can the Linux 64 and XP-Pro 32 live happily on the same machine? (I can't
> afford a second machine right now.) ... a second partition? ... a second
> hard drive?

You can do either, Linux is happy living on a second partition or second
hardrive. And once you install Linux it will create the boot menu for you
so at boot you can select which way you want to go.

I'm running 64bit Suse Linux for quite some time now on an AMD DX2 and
haven't had any trouble with it other then me messing it up with test
stuff.
Povray on 64bit gives some speed increase but don't expect wonders. What it
does do however is give you limitless memory. I have run renders upto 20GB
memory use.
> 
> (As much as I would be "proud to be Micro$oft free", I'm in the middle of
> too many Windows based projects to do a cold turkey switch.)
> 
> Thanks,
> Mike C.

For the "MS free" bit you could check out Wine, which is a Windows emulator
on Linux. Works pretty well but does not replace Windows completely.
-- 
Ger

Post a reply to this message

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:21:45 -0700, William Tracy wrote:

> Let me throw out another idea for you to consider: Make the 64-bit OS
> Linux.

I'd second that. Use 64-bit Linux for rendering, and if you have to have 
Windows, then install 32-bit Windows.

Jim

Post a reply to this message

On Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:40:31 -0500, Mike the Elder wrote:

> Can the Linux 64 and XP-Pro 32 live happily on the same machine? (I
> can't afford a second machine right now.) ... a second partition? ... a
> second hard drive?

You bet, any of these options.

I have 32-bit Vista (barf) and 64-bit OpenSUSE installed on the same 
machine.  They coexist just fine.

Jim

Post a reply to this message

Ger <No.### [at] thankyou> wrote:
> Povray on 64bit gives some speed increase but don't expect wonders. What it
> does do however is give you limitless memory. I have run renders upto 20GB
> memory use.

  Also file sizes become unlimited.

-- 
                                                          - Warp

Post a reply to this message

> Actually, I like the idea. I've wanted to learn more about Linux for a while
> now.

   I can recommend that: learning is always a Good Thing.

> Can the Linux 64 and XP-Pro 32 live happily on the same machine? (I can't afford
> a second machine right now.) ... a second partition? ... a second hard drive?

  AFAIK, there is no reason to think that they will interfere with each 
other. Indeed a second hard drive could be easier to manage at install time 
than partitions. The only problem I could think about is sharing files 
between XP and Linux: I didn't check recently, but I remember the NTFS 
support on Linux was read-only when I tried some years ago.

> (As much as I would be "proud to be Micro$oft free", I'm in the middle of too
> many Windows based projects to do a cold turkey switch.)

   That's understandable... back on the early 90's I had dual boot for some 
years until I decided to format the W98 partition.

   Good luck with it in any case... and my condolences for the deceased 
machine.

--
Jaime

Post a reply to this message

> For the "MS free" bit you could check out Wine, which is a Windows emulator
> on Linux. 

WINE acronym stands for Wine Is Not an Emulator.

Post a reply to this message

Many thanks to all.

My next investment is going to be a second hard drive from which to boot 64 bit
Linux.

Best Regards,
Mike C.

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