Upgrading to 64 bit - what is required?

[Flake]

My old mame computer blew another HD so in thinking I have a bad motherboard, I just bought a new computer that is a 64 bit, Windows 7 PC with an icore 3.  My current mame version is .124 (compiled).  I was thinking about upgrading to a 64 bit optimized compiled version of mame....either keeping with version .124 or possibly upgrading to version .145.  However I have a few questions:

1.  If I stick with version .124 is it worth the hassle of compiling a new version of mame to get a 64 bit optimized version?  I didnt have any speed issues with the games I was playing before.  Many of the CHD games werent really playable....would these become playable?

2.  If I upgrade to .145 I need to update my roms which likely will be a huge PITA.  Will my current roms work with a 64 bit version of mame even if I do update them?  I guess my question is are roms 32 bit vs. 64 bit?

3.  Is it worth upgrading to version .145?  I understand the laserdisc games are included now.  Does anyone use them in mame vs. daphne?

No, I'm not a computer guy....I know enough to be dangerous so if I'm asking really F'n dumb questions please excuse.  I just want to know all the nuances and perceived  benefits of upgrading to 64 bit.

[BadMouth]

Switching to the 64 bit version of MAME v.124 would be completely painless.
Just download it and drop it in the MAME folder.  Same roms, same ini files, same everything.
You will have to change the path on your frontend from mame.exe to mame64.exe
No brainer...do it!  Do it now, even if you plan to upgrade to v.145 shortly!

If you want to compile your own version with the high score diff, etc.  It's still well worth the trouble for the speed boost.

As far as upgrading to v.145, it really depends on whether any games you want were added and are playable.
I haven't tried the laserdisc games lately, but I think only a couple work (and Dragon's Lair isn't one of them).
A lot of games have been added, but a ton of fruit machine and mechanical games have been added as well, doubling the size of the rom set.

I currently have v.137 on my cab, but keep the most recent build on my laptop so I know what I'm missing.
I'm building a new neo geo themed cab and will use v.146 when it comes out so I can play this Metal Slug knockoff 

[Flake]

OK thanks, is there a 64 version of mame I should download or do I just "optimize" it for 64 bit during the compiling process?

From here http://mamedev.org/oldrel.html it doesnt look like there is a different 32 vs. 64 bit version?

[BadMouth]

OK thanks, is there a 64 version of mame I should download or do I just "optimize" it for 64 bit during the compiling process?

From here http://mamedev.org/oldrel.html it doesnt look like there is a different 32 vs. 64 bit version?

Hmm, I could have sworn that there used to be an option to download either the 32 or 64 bit flavor. 

Guess you will have to compile it or get it from an unofficial source. 
Sorry it isn't as easy as I thought.

Keep in mind that to compile an older version, you'll also need an older version of the tools used to compile it.
I've only compiled a few times, but I used Mr Do's guide:
http://mrdo.mameworld.info/compile.html

[elkameleon]

Switching to the 64 bit version of MAME v.124 would be completely painless.
Just download it and drop it in the MAME folder.  Same roms, same ini files, same everything.
You will have to change the path on your frontend from mame.exe to mame64.exe
No brainer...do it!  Do it now, even if you plan to upgrade to v.145 shortly!

If you want to compile your own version with the high score diff, etc.  It's still well worth the trouble for the speed boost.

As far as upgrading to v.145, it really depends on whether any games you want were added and are playable.
I haven't tried the laserdisc games lately, but I think only a couple work (and Dragon's Lair isn't one of them).
A lot of games have been added, but a ton of fruit machine and mechanical games have been added as well, doubling the size of the rom set.

I currently have v.137 on my cab, but keep the most recent build on my laptop so I know what I'm missing.
I'm building a new neo geo themed cab and will use v.146 when it comes out so I can play this Metal Slug knockoff 

So what's the situtation with this game? I love metal slug games, so i'm kinda itchin' to get this one. My "supplier" lists this game as non-working?

[BadMouth]

So what's the situtation with this game? I love metal slug games, so i'm kinda itchin' to get this one. My "supplier" lists this game as non-working?

I haven't tested it out.  From what I read online, I'm under the impression that it works as of MAME v.145u5 using the dmnfrnta or dmnfrntb rom.
I was waiting until v.146 before bothering to update.  (I usually don't mess with "u" updates)

[elkameleon]

Bah, of course i'm missing files... seems to be the way of mame

EDIT: NVM I got it!