Can I run WinXP Pro 64-Bit with 512 RAM?

[damlag]

I've read somewhere that win xp 64 needs at least 1 Gb of RAM. I have athlon 64 3200. So should I stay with my WinXP Home edition or go for 64-bit, (I have only 512 RAM)?

[encyclo]

No-one's answered on this so I'll at least give the thread a bump. I'm running Linux on a similar processor, and 512Mb RAM would be largely sufficient for most daily needs. I haven't tried the 64bit Windows XP yet (although I've got the beta on CD), but in general it is not Windows which needs all the memory, it is the applications. General work should be fine, intense video-editing probably won't: much the same as for the 32-bit version.

Where 64-bit Windows will have problems is that there are hardly any applications which are 64-bit ready, so you will be running virtually everything in 32-bit emulation mode - with no advantage over your current setup. Also you may come accross other problems: for example, there is no 64-bit Flash plugin, and the 32-bit one may well not work for a 64-bit IE (the 32-bit Linux version certainly doesn't work for 64-bit Firefox or Konqueror).

I would suggest sticking with your current 32-bit Windows version for the time-being, until you have a better choice of applications which will make the switch worthwhile. Others who have tested the 64-bit Windows XP might be able to give a better answer.

[damlag]

Encyclo, thanx for the answer.

I got XP 64-it from a friend and got excited, cause he said that my pc should be faster. But after reading some articles and threads, I found out what you've just menioned. Less RAM isn't a problem, it's that all apps are 32 bit. I read that it's possible to install some divers to run 32-bit programs, but I decided that it's not worth the hassle aslong as majority of apps are 32 bit. Maybe after 2,3 years things will change to 64...

Thanx again for taking time to answer. Good luck.