Windows XP or Windows XP 64-bit for gaming?

Alright, look. Since 32-bit systems can't actually handle more than 4GB of RAM—they really top out around 3 to 3.5GB—I’m curious about these "gamer editions" of Windows. How much RAM do they actually support, and what’s the verdict on using them for actual work?

I know Windows XP 64-bit can handle more than 4GB, but I've heard rumors that the drivers are a total nightmare, and honestly, I care most about how games run on it.

So, if anyone has a solid recommendation, please let me know.
Should I go with an XP Gamer Edition or just stick to Windows XP 64-bit?

My specs are: Intel Core 2 Duo e8400, 5GB of RAM, and an ATI Radeon HD 4850.
Also, one more thing: if I want to run Crossfire (linking two GPUs), how many watts do I need in my power supply to keep things stable?
And is it even possible to pair up two graphics cards of the exact same model if they are from different manufacturers?

Thanks in advance.

Customized versions of Windows.☕

What kind of game actually requires up to 4 gigs of RAM? 😲

Kyle Perez50 said:It's just modified versions of Windows.☕

You really hit the nail on the head there.

Jonathan Morris40 said:What kind of game actually needs 4 gigs of RAM? 😲

Honestly, just get it. Having extra memory never hurt anyone.
At least it’s cheap these days.

Dana Garcia6 said:You said a lot.

And then there are those versions of Windows built strictly for gaming. I don't even know anymore.

Dana Garcia6 said:Whatever. If they show up, fine. There's always plenty of people around.
It's cheap now, anyway.

Better to be ready for next year.🙂

I don't know a ton about 64-bit Windows, other than the fact that they can actually handle more than 3 gigs of RAM... As for those "Gamer Edition" versions of Windows XP, those are just custom builds made by random users online. They basically strip out all the background processes that eat up your memory. Honestly, there are millions of these tweaks floating around out there! I’m running a Windows XP Service Pack 3 performance edition that's only 230 MB because they cut out all the junk and useless bloatware. It runs flawlessly for me... I haven't run into a single error or anything weird so far; it works just as smoothly as any standard Windows XP install!

That Gamer Edition won't recognize more than 3 gigs of RAM since it's still 32-bit!

You can totally mix and match different brands of graphics cards!

I'll probably drop some more Windows 7 performance editions on RapidShare in a bit. xD
Just upload it and you can mess around with DirectX 10.

Thanks a million, everyone!

The XP Gamer Edition is pretty much stripped down to the bone, cutting out all that extra junk gamers don't need just to squeeze every bit of performance out of the system.

Check out this version I found:

Briefcase
Calculator
Software Suite
Software Suite
Paint
Pinball
Screensavers
WordPad
Multimedia Tools
Multimedia Tools
Multimedia Tools
Windows Luna Theme
Windows Media Center
Windows Media Center
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Software Suite
Windows Software Suite
Windows Software Suite
Windows Messenger
Tour

Removed Folders
Support,Value-add,Documents,Windows 9x Migration,Windows 9x Upgrade,Windows NT Upgrade

Driverpacks
Mass Storage 8.0.5 txt mode
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Lan 8.0.5
Sound A 8.0.5
Sound B 8.0.5
Wlan 8.0.6
Graphics A languages 810
Graphics A physX 810
Monitor 07111
Usb 80224
Windows XP Service Pack 3 hd audio 00001
Wireless

Most of these builds don't even have support for English!

Terry Hall68 said:The XP gamer edition is stripped down pretty far. It cuts out all the junk gamers don't need just to squeeze out more system performance.

Here's what a setup like that looks like:

REMOVED

Briefcase
Calculator
Software Suite
Software Suite
Paint
Pinball
Screensavers
WordPad
Multimedia Tools
Multimedia Tools
Multimedia Tools
Windows Luna Theme
Windows Media Center
Mouse Cursors
Windows Movie Maker
Music Samples
Windows Software Suite
Windows Software Suite
Windows Software Suite
Windows Messenger
Tour

Removed Folders
Support,Value-add,Documents,Windows 9x Migration,Windows 9x Upgrade,Windows NT Upgrade

Driverpacks
Mass Storage 8.0.5 txt mode
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Hardware Specifications
Lan 8.0.5
Sound A 8.0.5
Sound B 8.0.5
Wlan 8.0.6
Graphics A languages 810
Graphics A physX 810
Monitor 07111
Usb 80224
Sp3 hd audio 00001
Wireless

Mostly doesn't even have support for English!

That's the last thing I need!😂

Yeah, I don't need it either, but it looks like I'm stuck installing the 64-bit version regardless. Just my luck.