Vista: 64-bit vs. 32-bit & Other Questions

[guptasa1]

Hey all,

Going to be building a new system soon, and it'll have Vista (Ultimate probably). Have some questions about it and would appreciate any help:

1.) I know it comes in a 32-bit and 64-bit version. I'm thinking of going with an Intel QX6700 quad-core processor, which I'm assuming will run 64-bit just fine. What are the advantages of going with the 64-bit? Disadvantages? Worth it?

2.) Is it true that you NEED a 64-bit driver for every piece of hardware if you do get the 64-bit version? For example, if I want a driver for my printer, a 32-bit one won't cut it? (I know 64's better...just wondering if 32 will work if there's no 64-bit version available).

3.) What about software? I'm assuming 32-bit software works just fine as it'd be ridiculous if it didn't, but are there 64-bit versions of some applications, and do they usually need to be purchased that way in a 64-bit version as well (for example, Office 2007 doesn't seem to have separate 32-bit and 64-bit versions)?

4.) Is 2 GB of RAM plenty for this OS? I'm a gamer who also will be using the machine for office work, burning DVD's/CD's, and some amateur photo stuff. I'm running XP with 1 GB now...thinking 2 GB should be plenty for this new OS (especially since I'll be going with video cards with plenty of their own memory, etc.), but I'd love some opinions on that.

Thanks all for any feedback!

 

[jkresh]

64bit only works with 64bit drivers (though 64bit xp or 2003 drivers might work, they don't necessarily have to be vista). 32bit software works fine, some 16bit software will run into problems (most should work). If you are going 64 then one of the mian benefits is the ability to use more then 4gigs of ram, so while 2 should be ok if you are only using 2 and don't have any 64bit software in mind fr use now then there is no reason to go 64. If you buy a retail os vs oem then you have 32 and 64 on the same disk so you can install with 32 and switch to 64 when you have the proper software. The benefits of 64 are for software designed for it (a few games have 64bit versions and more will (ut 2k7 I think will be)), and lots of scientific software there can be as much as 10-20% speed boost. The disadvantages are the drivers (though most things should have divers especialy on a new build), the compatibility with some 16bit software...

I would recommend using 32bit until you have a specific reason to go 64, using it just to use it doesn't make sense for now.

 

[Aluvus]

Originally posted by: jkresh
32bit software works fine, some 16bit software will run into problems (most should work).

32-bit software will work via Windows on Windows, 16-bit software will not. Not that it's an issue for many people.

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: guptasa1
Hey all,

Going to be building a new system soon, and it'll have Vista (Ultimate probably). Have some questions about it and would appreciate any help:

1.) I know it comes in a 32-bit and 64-bit version. I'm thinking of going with an Intel QX6700 quad-core processor, which I'm assuming will run 64-bit just fine. What are the advantages of going with the 64-bit? Disadvantages? Worth it?

2.) Is it true that you NEED a 64-bit driver for every piece of hardware if you do get the 64-bit version? For example, if I want a driver for my printer, a 32-bit one won't cut it? (I know 64's better...just wondering if 32 will work if there's no 64-bit version available).

3.) What about software? I'm assuming 32-bit software works just fine as it'd be ridiculous if it didn't, but are there 64-bit versions of some applications, and do they usually need to be purchased that way in a 64-bit version as well (for example, Office 2007 doesn't seem to have separate 32-bit and 64-bit versions)?

4.) Is 2 GB of RAM plenty for this OS? I'm a gamer who also will be using the machine for office work, burning DVD's/CD's, and some amateur photo stuff. I'm running XP with 1 GB now...thinking 2 GB should be plenty for this new OS (especially since I'll be going with video cards with plenty of their own memory, etc.), but I'd love some opinions on that.

Thanks all for any feedback!

64 bit version has better security then 32 bit Vista,larger memory handling and more future proof,it will run 32 bit software fine(you might have a few games that don't not like Vista for gaming).
As to drivers yes you need 64 bit drivers, however Vista x64 has a lot of native x64 drivers already,my Canon i865 printer did not need any,my razer daimond back usb mouse and usb keyboard were also fine,my external DVD Lite-On burner and external 7 port USB 2 .0 hub never needed any drivers ,just like my nforce 4 board.Hardest things to get 64 bit drivers for are things like tv tuners etc...just check their website for drivers or availability date.


Do bear in mind ALL companies must submit both Vista x68 and Vista x64 drivers to Microsoft if they want WHQL certified drivers,they cannot submit just one version(Microsoft is pushing quite hard now for 64 bit support).
2GB is fine for Vista(1GB is minimum IMHO),you can use either 32 bit or 64 bit programs choice is yours,ie in my case I use 32 bit Firefox 2 with 64 bit thunderbird,I can if I wanted use 64 bit Firefox or 32 bit Thunderbird,16 bit software will not run.
This is what I'm running under my Vista x64 HP OS.

32 bit software:Firefox2,Printmaster 16,Quicktime,Nero 7,uTorrent,Spywareblaster,Spybot,ZipGenius,CCleaner.,ColorVision,java,flash etc...
64 bit software:Avast,Thunderbird,O&O Defrag 8.6 Pro.


Games installed:Steam(CS,TFC etc..) UT2004,UFO-Afterlight,Vanguard,Baldur' Gate 1,2 with exp packs,Oblivion,Morrowind with expansion packs,Might & Magic 8,Starcraft with expansion pack,KOTOR.
I'm very happy with my Vista x64.



Only reason to stay with x68 IMHO is if you need to run lots of 16 bit programs or have lot of drivers that don't have 64 bit support,in my case I have no old 16 bit crappy software and have all drivers except one(Leadtek DTV USB Dongle tuner ,due soon however for both Vista x68,x64 versions).

We wont' stay on 32 bit forever and I think Vista x64 will start making real headway towards 64 bit software and the future,lets hope so.

 

[miniMUNCH]

I'm running Vista Ult. 64... no complaints here.

The only problem I have run into with my new system is that two maps in Far Cry do not load. Everything else runs beautifully.

E4300
2 GB RAM
Asus P5B deluxe
8800 GTS

 

[guptasa1]

Thanks all! 64 sounds interesting...just not sure if I'd use the features yet. One additional question:

It was mentioned that if you buy the OEM of Vista, you get both versions (which is odd since Newegg seems to sell both separately, but maybe it's the same thing under a different name for marketing purposes). Do you have to reinstall in order to switch between the two, or is it the equivalent of flicking a switch?

Thanks!

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: guptasa1
Thanks all! 64 sounds interesting...just not sure if I'd use the features yet. One additional question:

It was mentioned that if you buy the OEM of Vista, you get both versions (which is odd since Newegg seems to sell both separately, but maybe it's the same thing under a different name for marketing purposes). Do you have to reinstall in order to switch between the two, or is it the equivalent of flicking a switch?

Thanks!

I believe the only one that comes with both is Ultimate Retail.

If you get OEM, I don't think you can even order the other version for $9.00. You can for Retail.

 

[lopri]

I use 64-bit Vista and the programs that don't work well (but you can often search for work-arounds) are the ones that deals with drivers - be they actual or virtual. Notably, Acrobat (installs printer drivers) and Nero/Alcohol 120 (installs virtual drives) in my case. But other than that, the 64-bit experience so far has been quite joyous. The SuperFetch works really well and although I have 4GB of RAM, now I wish I had 8GB!

 

[Nothinman]

It was mentioned that if you buy the OEM of Vista, you get both versions (which is odd since Newegg seems to sell both separately, but maybe it's the same thing under a different name for marketing purposes).

As I understand it you have to buy retail to get licenses for both and you only get 2 physical discs with Ultimate, with the lesser versions you have to request the other disc and pay shipping.

Do you have to reinstall in order to switch between the two, or is it the equivalent of flicking a switch?

It's a complete reinstall, there's no way to replace all of your binaries with the flick of a switch.

 

[guptasa1]

Oh okay - I read that wrong - he did say retail instead of OEM. Hmmm. I'll do some more thinking. It's actually sounding like 32-bit might be the right choice for me but part of me hates not going 64.

 

[guptasa1]

Just as an update, really considering going with 4 GB of RAM and x64...but we'll see.

 

[aka1nas]

Vista Ultimate 64 is running quite smoothly for me. FWIW, if you will not go with 4GB of RAM and have a C2D I would probably suggest 32-bit. C2Ds take a small(i.e anywhere from .5% to 3%) performance hit in 64-bit mode as some of their architectural advantages only work in 32-bit mode.

 

[guptasa1]

Wait, so if I go with a Core 2 Duo (probably going quad-core actually), it'll perform WORSE at 64-bit? I had assumed a 64-bit processor would work more effeciently with a 64-bit OS... Are there any good FAQ's out there where I can educate myself on this a bit better? Thanks!

 

[Mem]

Only reason to stay with x68 IMHO is if you need to run lots of 16 bit programs or have lot of drivers that don't have 64 bit support,in my case I have no old 16 bit crappy software and have all drivers except one(Leadtek DTV USB Dongle tuner ,due soon however for both Vista x68,x64 versions).

We wont' stay on 32 bit forever and I think Vista x64 will start making real headway towards 64 bit software and the future,lets hope so.

My lucky day again,Leadtek have released WHQL Winfast DTV dongle USB drivers for Vista x64/x68 today,I have installed them and they work great ,so now I have all the drivers for Vista x64.