Member Avatar for nobody2ph

So yeah... im getting confused now, which one should I get? A 64-bit with much lower speeds or a 32 bit which clocks in at 3.2?

It used to be simple... lol, all we had to do is look at the ghz

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by goldeagle2005

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Short answer for the original question to : for a new desktop in mid-2006 the Athlon 64 3800+ is the safer bet for general use, gaming, and most real-world apps. The Athlon 64 family uses the AMD64 instruction set and an integrated memory controller, which lowers memory latency and gives better performance per clock in many workloads; the Pentium 4 often relied on higher clock speeds to compete and could be less efficient in those same tasks (Athlon 64, Pentium 4).

Addressing 's compatibility concern: 32-bit Windows applications run on 64-bit Windows via WoW64, so most modern apps will work fine; 16-bit DOS/Windows programs cannot run natively on 64-bit Windows and need emulation or a VM. Also verify that any critical peripherals have 64-bit drivers before committing to a 64-bit OS—driver availability was still catching up in 2006 (WoW64, Microsoft guidance on running 32-bit apps on 64-bit Windows).

Practical buying tips: choose a motherboard/socket that matches your upgrade plans (AM2 for DDR2, or socket 939 for existing DDR choices at the time), and consider going straight to a dual-core Athlon 64 X2 if multitasking or future-proofing matters. If the absolute widest compatibility with very old hardware or installers is required, stick with a 32-bit OS or plan a VM.

If legacy DOS/16-bit programs are needed, use DOSBox for games or run a 32-bit Windows install inside a virtual machine (VirtualBox/VMware) for older business apps. These approaches preserve compatibility without forcing a slower or older CPU choice (DOSBox). Finally, weigh price, motherboard features, and thermal/noise considerations—CPU benchmarks matter, but the platform you build around them determines the day-to-day experience.

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Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Definitely an Athlon64. Future proof, and outperforms the intel.

Member Avatar for 'Stein

I would agree with ya for the most part,, but arnt there problems with some programs not being compatible w/ 64 bit?

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Well, some old, old legacy 16-Bit apps won't run. I'm talking real mode DOS apps here. And that's because WIndows ME onward do not include legacy DOS in the OS. Apart from that, there are absolutely no issues. Heck, I've been able to play the original DOS game, prince of persia without any hitch whatsoever.

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