Windows 8

[solmisation]

128-bit architecture in plan for the next Windows release according to this article.

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=3203583

 

[ian turner]

Bit optimistic given computer companies are still eager to sell 32bit with 4gb on a system capable of much more.

 

[TheDoctor]

That'll work well on a netbook...

 

[HJ]

Bit optimistic given computer companies are still eager to sell 32bit with 4gb on a system capable of much more.

Can you name any?? Both AMD and Intel chips can run 64bit instruction sets, if given the right software and have been able to do so for over 5 years. It has been the software that has been holding things back.

OK so there aren't many 128bit chips out there yet, but if Microsoft is going to release a 128bit OS in 2012, it is a reasonable bet both AMD and Intel will have chips on the market before then!

Whether there will be a demand for a 128bit OS is another matter...

 

[Garz]

Judging by the 64-bit take-up then... no.

 

[2Loose]

If a 64bit cpu can natively address 17,179,869,184 GB (17 Billion UK Gigabytes / 17 Trillion U.S Gb) of ram memory, then I don't think 64 bit cpu's or software will hold anyone back for some time... well, not in how much ram they can use at once anyway.
I used XP 64 and currently Vista 64 and Ubuntu 64 bit.

They're great...but no faster than the 32 bit versions unless I fill all 8Gb of ram that I have (and that has only happened once when I deliberately tried to fill it, never in normal use...)

Lets face it, the only things that can use more than 3Gb in normal use are either large databases or fairly heavy duty graphicvideo work.

Maybe Microsoft are really thinking ahead a very long time...or maybe their marketing department thinks 128 bits would be a big selling point for joe bloggs.

 

[Garz]

The same can be said for processor cores. I mean when you get to four of them (even two is ample for most scenarios) any more is jut plain overkill. The GPU market is heading the same way, dont get me wrong I love improvements in technology but trying to fool people into thinking they need these makes me chuckle.

So soon people will have 16 core beasts with 8gb of memory and a 128-bit OS to browse the web, download sh!te and sends a few IM/emails..

 

[rh100]

I think they need to keep advancing, it will at some point become common place. After all, 32 bit was overkill at some point, now it's the norm'. Plus you're right, it's another selling point, whilst Intel and AMD keep up with each other.

But they will never make it popular with the masses, it's not needed except by high end users. It will become the norm when it's mass manufactured, same as 64bit chips today, even though it's not fully utilised. The 32 bit OS is most compatible with existing software so will be here for a while.

I agree with Garz, let's face it, I'm writing this on a 6 year old laptop which was low spec when I bought it, but it does the job and no need to get rid of it. I can browse the web on here as well as the PC upstairs with dual graphics and opteron CPU (I know, a bit old but still quick).