Hi All
I'm wondering if it's time to go to windows 64bit os. Is there an avantage to using Windows 64 with bryce and a 64 bit processor?

I would like to upgrade my system.
My current system is.
MBoard:Gigabyte GA-7va
AthlonXP 2600+
RAM :1.5 gig ddr 400mhz
OS: XP HOME
Harddrive:wd raptor sata

Object is to increase render time of bryce 5.5 on a single frame render by as much as possible for $500.00 worth of upgrades which I will install. Needs to be compatable with Photoshop cs2., zbrush 2, painter 9, vue 5infinite. ( $500.00 is just hardware does not include the new os)

Any suggestions.

Message edited on: 08/28/2005 20:53

Attached Link: http://www.rayshaw.com.au/article.aspx?ArticleKey=689

I would hold of on Win 64, I've read a lot about problems with drivers and whatnot. Also, I'm not sure that many applications can take advantage of the 64 bit technology yet. Have a look at the link, this comes from a guy I trust. "The hardware is more expensive, the technology is not yet there, there is not yet a full suite of system drivers to make Windows XP Pro 64 bit work properly, there are certainly very few 64 bit printer and peripheral drivers and almost no 64 bit software." - Ray Shaw Mahray PS - Quote should be safe under fair use "critisicm and review" etc :)

Thanks for the link. Reading that made up my mind about the OS As for the rest. Well I found this for $473.00 USD Gigabyte K8NSC-939 NVIDIA nForce3 Ultra Chipset Socket 939 AMD Athlon64 / 64 FX Processor DDR400 1 AGP 5 PCI SATA Audio Phoenix BIOS ATX - with cpu - Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core 90nm Heatsink and Fan Combo Set. I think my 1.5 gigs of memory are compatable with this. What do you think , Anyone? I cant find any benchmarks site with active links. I'm hoping to a least double the render speed. I'm thinking maybe dual core would help. Does anyone run a duel core athlon with bryce? If so does it help a little or a lot verses single core?

well, aside from bragging rights, you also become a 'pioneer' (i.e., the one with all the arrows in your back). I used to refer to them as 'gamma testers'..give it at least 6 months before you buy. You known you'll see service packs on it eventually..;)