Should I Put Vista x64 On Notebook w/ 4GB RAM when x32 is preinstalled?

[Adam8281]

Just bought a new lappy, ASUS N80VN-GP011C. Relevant specs for my question are:

OS: Vista Home Premium x32 preinstalled
RAM: 4GB DDR2 800
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 9650M GT with 1024MB memory

I am wondering whether or not I should "upgrade" Vista x32 to x64 (ASUS has all drivers for both, so that's no problem) to be able to utilize all of the memory. I know there is a trade-off with x64, because although it can access all 4GB of memory, the 64-bit addresses are longer. Does anyone know how this trade-off pans out with 4GB memory? Is it a wash between more memory addressed/longer addresses, or is there an advantage to one of the options?

Also, does the 1GB of video memory "count" towards the total that Vista x32 can address? I.e., is my 4GB system really a 5GB system for purposes of memory addressing? If this is the case, it seems like x32 would be a bad option, since it would only be addressing 3.5GB out of 5GB, rather than 3.5GB out of 4GB. Am I right in thinking this?

 

[BlueAcolyte]

There is NO PERFORMANCE DIFFERENCE!!! And yes, the 1GB VRAM is included in address space, so it should take some virtual addressing space. So you will ahve 1GB VRAM and 2.5GB RAM (or maybe more, the vid card might only take up 256, so if you are lucky, you could get 3GB)

Go for it.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The extra memory is usually worth it, depending on what you're doing.

I find Vista x64 is clunky in a few situations, but as long as the applications and hardware you're using have good, known x64 drivers (like you mentioned), you shouldn't have any problems. I'm running Ultimate x64 on my desktop and I haven't had a single problem with installing and running 32 bit applications.

Did they supply disks for both 32 and 64 bit? I'd love to upgrade, but would rather not spend more money.

 

[Adam8281]

It arrives later this week, so I'm not 100% certain that ASUS supplies a x64 install disk, but reviews I've read online make it sound like it does

 

[Emulex]

use superspeed ramdisk to use the 3.2 to 4gb as a ramdisk.

if you don't have x64 apps that are faster than x86 then you will not gain much.

this changes with 2008 and 7 (2008 R2).

 

[Adam8281]

Now that's an interesting recommendation - one I hadn't thought of. If I understand it correctly, a ramdisk is essentially a virtual drive comprised of RAM. Can this virtual ramdrive FUNCTION like RAM, i.e. cache frequently accessed programs, dynamically adjust to the current needs of the system, or is a ramdrive like a harddrive, where you manually store particular files on it. Also, what is this "2008 and 7 (2008 R2)" of which you speak? Are you talking about Windows Server? I'm using Vista.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Adam8281
Now that's an interesting recommendation - one I hadn't thought of. If I understand it correctly, a ramdisk is essentially a virtual drive comprised of RAM. Can this virtual ramdrive FUNCTION like RAM, i.e. cache frequently accessed programs, dynamically adjust to the current needs of the system, or is a ramdrive like a harddrive, where you manually store particular files on it. Also, what is this "2008 and 7 (2008 R2)" of which you speak? Are you talking about Windows Server? I'm using Vista.

I believe he is talking about Win Server 2008 and Win 7, not entirely sure what the 2008 R2 refers to since Win 7 is set to ship next year... but whatever.

 

[Emulex]

windows 2008 = vista ; they will share the same SP2 in april?

windows 2008 R2 the next evolution if you want to call it; will be the foundation for windows 7.

you remember how windows 2000 had workstation and server? same thing split names. i kind of likes the old windows 2000 nomenclature myself.

the superspeed ramdisk will let you store whatever temp (internet? small swap file) in ram you can't access anyways. it is for most people a win win scenario. i'm not sure of a free ramdisk that can use the unusable ram though.

the superspeed folks make some slick server products too.