another Vista 32 or 64 " should I ? " question

sportage

Lifer
Feb 1, 2008
11,492
3,162
136
I have both, 32 and ordered the 64 CD.
Long ago I installed the 64, and if I remember, there were IE issues with the 64 IE and flash or java (??) sites not supported/playing (something like that).
I think (if I remember) the 64 install also installed a 32 bit version of IE, to address this issue.
ANyway... Has this support issue been fixed? Either with the SP1 update or flash/java updates?

Does IE 64-bit work with most all sites/plugings now a day?
(I want to try the 64 again, since I just upgraded to a AM2+ quad MB & processor with 1066 memory/4 gb.
 

dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
76
A long time ago, there used to be some 64 bit issues. Which antivirus to use, various drivers, certain software uncertainties. This is no longer the case. Just about everything has Vista 64 support nowadays.

After using Vista 64 for over two months, I am going to go ahead and say there is no longer any real reason to use the 32 bit version unless you have some really old program that doesn't work with it and is absolutely mission critical and you can't find a newer alternative to it; I have had not even one compatibility issue. The ability to fully use all of my system's ram is also a plus.

I haven't used IE64 myself, but I imagine it works fine. I use Firefox 3 personally.
 

oog

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2002
1,721
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0
no 64-bit flash and no 64-bit printer drivers for a few printers i use were why i went back.

also no cisco vpn software compatible with my work.
 

sportage

Lifer
Feb 1, 2008
11,492
3,162
136
Your right. Found this from adobe flash site:

Vista, 64 bit, 64bit, Vista64 To use Flash Player to view Flash content on a 64-bit operating system, you must run a 32-bit browser. Adobe Flash Player... (10/14/08)

Hard to believe no 64 support after all this time. :Q
 

The Keeper

Senior member
Mar 27, 2007
291
0
76
Why would you NEED a 64-bit version of software that offers no advantages over 32-bit, such as a web browser?
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
Vista has 32bit and 64bit IE.

But I agree, nice work Adobe. 2 years after the release of 64bit IE and Vista and still no player.
 

dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
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Photoshop CS4 is probably the first program I have used that has a very tangible benefit from being 64 bit.(Photoshop can finally use more than 2GB of ram!)
 

oog

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2002
1,721
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Originally posted by: The Keeper
Why would you NEED a 64-bit version of software that offers no advantages over 32-bit, such as a web browser?

i don't need it, but i use firefox as my default browser and i run IE by typing iexplore <url> at a run prompt. by default, that launches the 64-bit version, which lacks flash. i didn't bother changing my paths or typing habits to target the 32-bit version.
 

themisfit610

Golden Member
Apr 16, 2006
1,352
2
81
Lightroom 2 and Photoshop CS4 are much faster under 64 bit vista, plus GPU acceleration!

On XP, Lightroom 2 doesn't seem to have the same level of acceleration. This makes zoom / pan operations much slower.

Personally (since I do a lot of photog) I switched for this reason alone and would never go back. :) Add in superfetch, 8GB of RAM, and Vista's better GPU memory management, and it's game over!

~MiSfit
 

sportage

Lifer
Feb 1, 2008
11,492
3,162
136
(update)
well the 64 ran ok but I didnt see a huge speed diff going from a dual core to quad and 1066 memory with the 64 vs 32. Then one of my must have bluray software players, arcsoft totalmedia theater, would not run. No 64 bit driver error msg when loading. So I went back to vista32.

Plus adobe flash is not supported and a few other little programs I still like to use.

(no, I hate powerDVD, so don't even go there)
 

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
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www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: The Keeper
Why would you NEED a 64-bit version of software that offers no advantages over 32-bit, such as a web browser?

Microsoft's answer... ;)

SOURCE

Understanding 64-bit PCs

If you're shopping for a new PC you're probably going to come across systems that are designated "64-bit." These are computers running 64-bit editions of Windows Vista, typically with 4GB of memory or more. Compared to 32-bit systems, which top out at around 3GB of memory, 64-bit PCs offer added responsiveness for people who are running a lot of applications at the same time and switching between them frequently.

Both types of PCs are good options; the best choice depends on your particular needs. Here's a little background information and some shopping tips.

What's happening

Not long ago, almost all the computers you'd find at your local retailer were 32-bit PCs. People who bought 64-bit PCs were primarily technology enthusiasts or people running specialized software that used the large amounts of memory a 64-bit PC can support.

Over the past few years, the PC industry has gradually increased production of 64-bit PCs. We've been working with industry partners on this transition to 64-bit computing, as we did when the industry shifted from 16-bit to 32-bit PCs back with Windows 95.

The shift toward 64-bit PC production has speeded up recently, and that's why you'll be seeing more of these PCs in stores. One reason is that the cost difference between a 32-bit and 64-bit PC has shrunk. For example, we don't charge extra for the 64-bit editions of Windows Vista, and the cost of memory, one of the largest factors of a PC's cost, has dropped dramatically. Now most PC manufacturers offer 64-bit PCs that don't cost a whole lot more than a 32-bit PC.

What's it mean to you?

If you want to be sure that your PC will be able to take advantage of increased memory and new hardware and software in the years ahead, a 64-bit PC is a good choice. If you run a lot of programs at once and switch back and forth between them often, a 64-bit PC can give you a more seamless, instantaneous response. And the more memory you have in your PC, the more programs you can run smoothly and simultaneously. If you only run one or two programs at the same time, a 32-bit PC is a fine choice.

What should you do?

Like most shopping decisions, the choice between a 32-bit and 64-bit PC comes down to a little research and balancing your priorities. Here's what we recommend:
  • 1. Look for the logo
    Check to make sure that the hardware and software you want to use with it is compatible. You'll find that most of the hardware devices and software programs you use today will work well with 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. The best way to know if something will work is to look for the Windows Vista logos on devices and software programs?that means they're compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows Vista."
  • 2. Visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center
    If you don't see the logo, visit the Windows Vista Compatibility Center and check the 64-bit compatibility status. Hardware and software vendors continue to update this information, so check back often. As the PC industry shifts more and more toward 64-bit production, you'll see a steady increase in the hardware and software products that work with these PCs.
  • 3. Balance your priorities
    If your first priority is having a PC that can take advantage of increased memory and new hardware or software, then lean towards a 64-bit PC. On the other hand, if cost is a key concern and you're mostly interested in running a couple programs, or if you have older hardware and software that isn't supported by a 64-bit PC, then a 32-bit PC is a good choice.
64-bit DVD

If you bought Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, or Business as a retail, packaged product, and you would like a DVD of 64-bit software media to install on your PC, please choose your language:
 

bsobel

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Dec 9, 2001
13,346
0
0
Microsoft's answer... ;)

Your post was statements from MS on choosing a 32bit vs 64bit OS, and in no way answered the question posted by the user you were responding to.
 

Scotteq

Diamond Member
Apr 10, 2008
5,276
5
0
Originally posted by: sportage
I have both, 32 and ordered the 64 CD.
Long ago I installed the 64, and if I remember, there were IE issues with the 64 IE and flash or java (??) sites not supported/playing (something like that).
I think (if I remember) the 64 install also installed a 32 bit version of IE, to address this issue.
ANyway... Has this support issue been fixed? Either with the SP1 update or flash/java updates?

Does IE 64-bit work with most all sites/plugings now a day?
(I want to try the 64 again, since I just upgraded to a AM2+ quad MB & processor with 1066 memory/4 gb.



- - Been using Vista 64 for the 15 months as my regular OS. Contrary to popular belief, it runs perfectly well.

To directly answer your question: It's not an issue with 64 bit OS(s), or the browser(s) running on them. Java runs fine. The issue with Flash is that Adobe have not created a version of their Flash Player that works with 64 bit Browsers. The last I checked, there is/was a 64 bit Beta available on Linux, and Adobe are promising support on Windows, etc, but have given no timeline that I am aware of.


(Half @$$'d Opinion Alert!!!! ) I haven't (bothered to) play'd with it, and to my overly cynical mind it smells a little bit like Adobe were caught out a little on the (relatively) fast adoption of Vista 64* and after figuring out it wasn't going away, dumped their code into a 64 bit compiler, and tossed it out to the Linux/BSD guys to play with. It appears that you're doing something "for the community" and at the same time aren't liable to actually support the thing. But like I said - I'm overly cynical ;)


As pointed out, existing 32 bit browsers and their 32 bit plug ins work perfectly well.


Regarding day to day usage: One would be hard pressed to notice the difference between Vista 32 and Vists 64. 64 is a little more anal about security in that it disallows unsigned digital certificates. Plus the aforementioned Flash issue. And the observant will see two icons for Internet Exploder (1 32 and 1 64 bit), instead of just one. Besides that, you'd have to look to see what version is running in order to tell the difference.


Why use 64 bit? Not a whole lot of reason to for most casual/home users, to be honest. 64 allows for truly ridiculous amounts of system resources (64~128GB worth of address space!!), which for mainstream usage primarily benefits people who are pushing the envelope with heavy duty gaming/video/graphics. The Gamers can run large/multi card setups and not run into address limitations. Video/Graphics enthusiasts/workers can utilize all the RAM their hardware can support, which makes a real difference in day to day tasks for this group. If you do heavy virtualization, then you can see benefit for much the same reasons. Basically, the more you multitask heavy duty apps, the more benefit you can receive since you will no longer be limited by the OS.


My $0.02



*Non enthusiasts can/do buy 64 bit computers at Dell, HP, etc, and Gateway(!!) have made the switch almost exclusively to Vista 64 for their desktops. Why? It looks/feels/works the same and supports more RAM, which the makers can charge for. And support lines aren't clogged with millions of dumbfounded dips... People... calling and asking why the 4GB of memory they ordered shows up as 3.2