128 bit Windows? WOW

[ImmaPC]

^ +1. x64 OS's are backwards-compatible with virtually all x86 apps, AFAIK. Plus, 64-bit OS's do run way, way smoother than x86 stuff, especially if you got some nice phat 3.5GB+ ram it can utilize. I had Vista x86 installed, and then I bought that 4GB of Mushkin RAM. I installed x64, and it was like a dream. Vista was like XP again! =D

[1ce]

I wouldn't rule out the usefulness of 128 bit computing so quickly. Let's talk processor architecture for a second. In a typical processing core we have memory registers and data registers. Ok sure with 64 bit memory registers we can already access a theoretical 16 exabites of memory (I know they're limited to less but that's besides the point). What you guys are currently overlooking is the data registers. This has everything to do with data precision. Having 64 bit data registers means that any basic computing functions in the core pipeline will do double precision in one fell stroke. Moving to 128 bit allows you to compute in quad precision. Why would that be useful?

Oh! Folding! Take a course in numerical methods and you will see that because of limited data precision, we have to perform many many calculations in order to get an accurate approximation. By doubling the data register size and using quad precision, you achieve a serious reduction in the amount of successive approximations that need to be performed with similar accuracy of the final result. And Folding is only one example.

If these rumours are true I'm really looking forward to these processors.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by ImmaPC

^ +1. x64 OS's are backwards-compatible with virtually all x86 apps, AFAIK. Plus, 64-bit OS's do run way, way smoother than x86 stuff, especially if you got some nice phat 3.5GB+ ram it can utilize. I had Vista x86 installed, and then I bought that 4GB of Mushkin RAM. I installed x64, and it was like a dream. Vista was like XP again! =D

Yes it is.

But x32 software in WoW emulation has been known to run a bit slower and even tho its backwards compatible its STILL limited to the same limitations as a 32bit OS.

[Chilly]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Idiotic for consumer-based products. There are next to no 64-bit supporting programs to begin with let alone 128-bit. That's not even mentioning that 128-bit processors are still half a decade away.

Agreed, all talk about a 128bit cpu is stupid considering the fact that all current 64bit CPU's can't even use its 64bit architecture to the fullest extent.

128bit is a LONG ways off, at least 5, if not more, years off.

[ipaine]

The idea that I have gotten from the things that I have been reading, is that Windows 8 will not have a 128 bit version. But they want to design Windows 8 with the intention of 128 bit machines being right around the corner. I'm guessing this will be to make the transition over to a possible 128 bit version of Windows 9 that much easier.

At least that is what I have taken it for. Cause as people have said we are still a long ways off from having 128 bit machines in our homes.

[aristhrottle]

I don't know about the practicality of it, but can you imagine running Rybka in 128-bit?

[belgolas]

I could see by windows 9 depending on how fast they create new OSes but if 7 stays as long as XP then 8 might have a chance of 128bit.

[somecanadianguy]

Originally Posted by enaberif

Nothing truly supports 4 cores either! Let alone 8.

You sure about that?
I work with programs every day that use up all my cores/threads and still want more.

[MarcusFoX]

were not even using what we have... there is next to no 64bit support for programs as it is.

[BrianHanna]

Originally Posted by ImmaPC

It's yet to be tested. Fine then, 5870's in Quadfire.

even then, crysis has been out for way way more than 6 months, so it has taken way longer than 6 months for tech to double.

the simple fact, is that with computing and any other science, "breakthroughs" become harder and harder to find, unless some new method of testing is found that enables breakthroughts to be easier to find, then even then, eventually it will be rare that something that is a true breakthrough comes around.

simple fact.