Some bacis questions

[Lockheed]

I am trying to migrate from Windows to Ubuntu but still need some programs that Linux just don't have (eg. Miranda, Office, TheBat) and have some questions about setting up an XP guest system:

1. is XP 64bit better than regular XP?
2. is enabling IO APIC decrease performance? I can install XP with IO APIC disabled, but XP64 won't install without it.
3. VT-x/AMD-V, Nested Paging, PAE/NX - which of those should I use to get the best performance out of the guest system?

[Perryg]

1. Yes
2. Leave it on.
3. All if you can get away with it. (depends on the machine)

Your computer bios must support Hardware - V if you can not find a place to turn it on in your bios, you more than likely do not have it. Consult the computer manufacture on how and what to do.

[Lockheed]

I did enable the option in bios.

Can you elaborate on 1 a bit more? By how much faster and why?

[Perryg]

Here. Better to read up on it. http://www.google.com/search?q=64+bit+v ... ing+system

[Lockheed]

Well, I do know the difference between 32 and 64 bit. I was speaking in terms of synergies 64 bit guest XP might produce with 64bit host ubuntu when compared do 32bit guest XP.

[vbox4me2]

1. Yes a 64bit Host runs Guests faster then a 32bit Host, this can only be 'seen' when running more then 1 Guest on more then 1 core.

[Lockheed]

Thanks, but I was talking about a difference between 32 and 64 bit guests, not hosts.

[Perryg]

Well, I do know the difference between 32 and 64 bit. I was speaking in terms of synergies 64 bit guest XP might produce with 64bit host ubuntu when compared do 32bit guest XP.

I can see where the confusion came to play.

Thanks, but I was talking about a difference between 32 and 64 bit guests, not hosts.

Now I need to ask if you read any of the articles in the link I sent you. Some of them talk about benchmarks and lab tests. I think I can see a performance increase when using 64 bit guests ,thus the yes in my answer, but I have not performed benchmark tests on any of them myself. It appears that you have both XP and XP 64, at least that is what is says on your profile. Why not run some tests and see what you get. If you find the results match or even do not match then you will know.