1) Check that your motherboard-CPU-chipset /videocards/etc support x64 drivers;
2) check that your favorite trading application runs on a so-called WOW64 enviroment under x64 OS (for example TT X_Trader works under Windows Pro XP x64);
3) check additional software and peripheral supports x64 OSes.
4) choose OS between:
a) Windows XP Pro x64;
b) Windows 2003 server 64bit 'converted' into workstation so it runs on less resources;
or
c) if you are a pioneer install Windows 2008 server and convert into a workstation:
http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/
b and c options could cost you a lot in terms of OS license....
2) check that your favorite trading application runs on a so-called WOW64 enviroment under x64 OS (for example TT X_Trader works under Windows Pro XP x64);
3) check additional software and peripheral supports x64 OSes.
4) choose OS between:
a) Windows XP Pro x64;
b) Windows 2003 server 64bit 'converted' into workstation so it runs on less resources;
or
c) if you are a pioneer install Windows 2008 server and convert into a workstation:
http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/
b and c options could cost you a lot in terms of OS license....