should i get 64bit vista

[kevinf2090]

i am just going to save the money and get oem version of vista. but my question is it better to get 64 bit or 32 bit. the system that i have is in my sig. is 64 bit support getting better

 

[Mem]

Looking at your hardware,you seem to have standard hardware which has native support in Vista,as well as x64 drivers available.

Check what printer you have(especially HP) and things like DTV Tuners,these seem to lack x64 drivers.


FYI my Vista x64 had all drivers except USB DTV tuner and my USB ColorVision SpyderExpress monitor calibration device,I can live without these for now,there was also no Vista x68 drivers for these, so I would be in the same boat with any version of Vista.

Vista x64 is way to go if you want slightly better security,larger memory handling,more future proof as well,all my 32 bit software runs ok, so you get the best of both worlds of being able to run 32 bit or 64 bit software.

 

[kevinf2090]

will all my programs work. like will it be able to run in 32bit mode

 

[kevinf2090]

will all my programs work. like will it be able to run in 32bit mode

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: kevinf2090
will all my programs work. like will it be able to run in 32bit mode

I'm using the following so that should give you an idea of 32 bit programs.

uTorrent
SpywareBlaster
Spybot
ZipGenius
Nero 7
CCleaner
Printmaster 16
Steam (CS,TFC Etc..)
Morrowind with expansion packs
Oblivion
Vanguard
UT2004
Firefox 2
Thunderbird

Yes it can run in 32 bit mode.

 

[kevinf2090]

will it run slower if i run them in 32 bit mode. and when running them do they just automatically go to 32 bit mode or is it something i have to do to get it to 32 bit mode

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: kevinf2090
will it run slower if i run them in 32 bit mode. and when running them do they just automatically go to 32 bit mode or is it something i have to do to get it to 32 bit mode

They automatically run as usual. Just double-click. AnandTech was finding that, strangely enough,

On the CPU limited results, most of the cards again run faster on Vista x64. This is frankly amazing, as even Microsoft expects performance to be slightly slower on Vista. In the GPU limited results, we see basically a random scattering of cards that are slightly slower or faster under Vista x64. Given that Oblivion is a 32-bit application running in WoW, we would be pretty happy with only small performance losses, and any performance improvements are unexpected but welcome. All in all, x64 performance looks good, and we haven't seen the types of compatibility and stability issues between the two that we did with XP x64.

(link)

Just OC your rig another 3-5% 😉

 

[cheapherk]

I wouldn't even get Vista until some of these companies write some better drivers. I'd go back to XP for a while if it weren't such a PITA. Don't get me wrong, Vista is neat; it's just not necessary.

 

[Tegeril]

Honestly, what's wrong with the drivers? Everything I've been running for the past couple weeks has been rock-solid stable.

 

[R3MF]

i firmly believe that Microsoft screwed up when they made a 32bit version of Vista, as it just makes the transition to 64bit that more protracted and painful for users.

 

[HeartView]

Originally posted by: R3MF
i firmly believe that Microsoft screwed up when they made a 32bit version of Vista, as it just makes the transition to 64bit that more protracted and painful for users.

There wasn't much of a choice, considering the vast number of PC's out there in business and in homes that are not 64-bit capable. Microsoft wants to make money with Vista more than they want to prove a point.

 

[aka1nas]

I would expect them to make 64-bit the only or at least default option when Vienna comes out and any version of Windows after that will probably be 64-bit only. By then, the last generation of 32-bit only CPUs will be around 5 years old or so.

 

[Sureshot324]

Originally posted by: aka1nas
I would expect them to make 64-bit the only or at least default option when Vienna comes out and any version of Windows after that will probably be 64-bit only. By then, the last generation of 32-bit only CPUs will be around 5 years old or so.

As far as MS's bottom line is concerned, there's really no reason not to make a 32bit version. It really makes no difference to them how fast migration to 64bit goes, and there's going to be a market for 32bit windows for a long time.