Considering the recent news about the upcoming Athlon64, there is something else that some people are waiting for just as eagerly. Most of these are people that cannot for several reasons abandon their trustworthy Windows for the now 64-bit compatible Linux kernels.
And thus GamePC has taken a first look at what will be just as important for the Athlon64’s success at the middle-end as the processor itself: Windows XP 64-bit Edition.
AMD claimed that both 32- and 64-bit compatibility would be provided without any problems, and this also seems to be the case. Even though the 32-bit applications are run through something called ”Windows on Windows 64”, it is estimated not to drain performance in any especially noticeable way. As normally with all operating systems, one of the most severe problems for the new OS is drivers and their compatibility.
If now the sales of both Athlon64s and Windows XP 64 goes well, maybe the rumour of an Intel release of a 64-bit compatible follow-up on its anticipated Pentium 4 series is to be expected. If so, it seems likely that the changeover from 32-bit systems to 64-bit ones will go as painless as possible, and programs and hardware will have new, greatly enlarged possibilities. While knowing this is far too much to hope for, one could at least read GamePC’s Windows XP 64 preview and hope.
