Vista 32 bit or 64 bit

[maxemo]

I just upgraded my computer to Vista 32 bit and read in the instructions I can get a 64 Bit DVD for a nominal fee by contacting Microsoft. I have a Pentium D 915 CPU and D945GPM board and from what I have read will handle the 64 Bit. I like to keep my system up to date and I do alittle gaming. I thought I would ask here in the forums if I should go ahead and update to the 64 bit while I can get it for a cheap price? All responses would be appreciated.

 

[Sniper82]

I personally wouldn't bother with it because there is little benefit right now to doing so. Support is even weaker.

 

[Nothinman]

If drivers exist for all of your hardware I don't see why not.

 

[AllGamer]

if all your hardware are Vista ready, then i'll suggest Vista 64 rather than Vista 32.

but if your hardware are not fully Vista ready, then don't even bother with either version.

 

[maxemo]

It looks like intel has drivers for everything. I was just concerned about the compatibility with software. Also I don't think most anti virus programs have a 64 bit version.

 

[masteraleph]

Originally posted by: maxemo
It looks like intel has drivers for everything. I was just concerned about the compatibility with software. Also I don't think most anti virus programs have a 64 bit version.

Go with NOD32 on that count.

As for software, what are you using? 32-bit software in general should work just fine. It's the 16-bit stuff you have to worry about- anything that was native to DOS or perhaps some early Windows 95 stuff.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: maxemo
It looks like intel has drivers for everything. I was just concerned about the compatibility with software. Also I don't think most anti virus programs have a 64 bit version.

There are plenty of anti-virus programs that work fine with Vista x64,personally I'm using Kaspersky 6 (upgrading to version 7 soon when it's released) also Avast,NOD32 work fine with Vista x64 as well to name only a few.


I run a lot of the common 32 bit software with my Vista x64,things like Firefox(64 bit version works fine too but does not have the full web software support like 32 bit version),SpywareBlaster,Spybot,ALZip,uTorrent,Nero 7,Printmaster 16,Quicktime,Adobe 8,Speedfan 4.32,CCleaner ,I hope these give you some idea of aplications I use,as to games well you don't want to see my huge list of games installed that run fine,compatibility is very good in general unless you got some highly specialized software.

I also run 64 bit programs too,got best of both worlds really(Thunderbird,O&O 8.6 defrag to name a few).