64-bit now or wait till later?

[zCypher]

Just set up my MSI G31M3-L / E5200 / 2GB and so far very pleased with it. I was able to get everything running perfectly without reinstalling Windows - but I had just wiped it clean a week before.

I'm wondering if I should keep this 32-bit XP until I finish upgrading (another 2GB, SATA, PCIE etc), or is it still worth getting 64-bit Vista right now?

I'm just wondering if 64-bit Vista might be more bloated and end up not being a good choice. I've been reading on here though, some people are saying that it is not any more bloated, more depends what you do with it and how you configure it - Windows 7 included.

So ... with only 2GB and an E5200 - would you say it's still worthwhile? Upgrade to 64 now or wait till system has been upgraded more respectably?

 

[pcslookout]

Do it now so you will not have to do it later. Check out the new benchmarks for 4 GB vs 8 GB of ram alone! http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2331311&enterthread=y

Huge difference!

 

[zCypher]

I don't doubt the difference between 4GB to 8GB, but I have 2 and can only go to 4 with this board. I'm just wondering if 80GB IDE + 2GB DDR2 is too weak to run Vista 64 as quickly as XP 32. If it would still be pretty fast then I might just do it. Right now I'm pretty happy with the performance the way it is, so if there would be a significant hit, I would wait it out.

 

[Cogman]

2GB is not to week to run vista.

Here is my suggestion. Hold off on the jump to vista, go for windows 7 instead. (And yes, your next upgrade SHOULD by x64 by all means, there is no reason not to go 64bit.). The first thing you should upgrade is your hard drive, Your 80GB hd is going to be pretty slow, and with HD capacities a cheap as they are now, there is no reason not to grab a 500GB HD. Once you get ready to update your Ram, That is when I would grab the x64 os.

Just a note, I'm currently running vista on a 160gb HD and 2gb of ram. No problems.

 

[pcslookout]

I prefer Vista 64 bit over Windows 7 64 bit. I think superfetch is a little better in Vista 64 bit. The other thing is most stuff has had a chance to now finally work in Vista 64 bit where Windows 7 you still may have to wait a few months. Though most things work fine now.