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Vista: Choosing between 32bit and 64bit

Dankk

Dankk

Diamond Member
By the end of the month, I will have enough money to build my brand new computer. Here are the basic specifications:

Intel quad core Q6700 2.66GHz processor
ASUS P5N-E SLI ATX Intel Motherboard
4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 800 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9600GT (x2 SLI)
Linksys WMP54G v4.1 wireless card
250GB hard drive, 750watt power supply, 22" LCD monitor, yadda yadda...

One of the things I'm worried about right now is my Linksys PCI card (this is the only way I'm gonna connect to the internet in my bedroom). Now, Linksys DOES have a vista driver specifically for this card. The only problem? It's a 32 bit driver. They don't have 64-bit drivers for any of their wireless cards (at least, the cards I was looking at).

Big question: Is the 32 bit driver for my wireless card gonna work on the 64-bit vista?

I'm somewhat of a newbie on this topic. I don't know how 32bit software will conflict with 64bit software or anything. I would like some insight on this.

Finally there are many other factors that are making me stuck between both versions of vista. Here is basically how I see it:

32bit Vista: Pros
Safely runs most software
More stable

32bit Vista: Cons
Won't support more than 4GB memory (I would like to upgrade someday)
Won't fully utilize my 64-bit capable CPU

64bit Vista: Pros
Supports WAY more than 4GB of RAM
Utilizes my hardware to fullest extent; more powerful

64bit Vista: Cons
Less stable?
Less compatible software
My drivers - specifically for my wireless card - might not work

So with that, I would like some ideas on which would be better for me. This is an issue that's been fresh on my mind lately and some help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
It's possible that MS will have a compatible generic 64-bit driver through windows update (if you can do setup wired through the router). I know they also had various compatible wireless drivers for a few draft-N cards I was trying out...usually broadcom. Hell, they had a compatible driver for my ViXS TV tuner card that came with my HP, much to my surprise.

I haven't found 64-bit to be any less stable than 32-bit, in any way. Nor have I found a piece of 32-bit software I couldn't run. I've read about installers preventing some programs from installing after specifically doing a check, but I have not encountered this with anything I've installed.
 
Well, I've been Googling around, and I actually found a forum topic created by someone who has tried the 32-bit WMP54G driver on his 64-bit system (and it doesn't work). It seems that someone posted a solution regarding my wireless card:

Check out the following website: http://www.ralinktech.com/rali...e/Support/Windows.html (Ralink makes the chipset for this specific model.) You will want to choose the driver for RT61. You will have to "force" Win Vista to accept the driver. Bypass the automatic search and choose to designate the driver you want to install. Choose the "802.11 PCI Wireless Adapter" listing and it should work. I believe that this is only relevant for the 4.1 version of the WMP54G. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Indeed, I hope it works.

Thanks Gooberlx2. I guess for the time being I am set on buying Vista 64bit. I plan on doing a lot of PC gaming, which will be nice because my current computer is considerably old and I've mainly been playing nintendo games instead. But, I'm excited to install steam and buy orangebox, bioshock, and all that fun stuff I've missed out on over the past while.

I'm still open to any other comments regarding the difference between 32bit and 64bit. Thanks.
 
Have you considered buying a new wireless card that does support 64 bit Vista? They usually are pretty cheap so that might be the route you would want to go. Your router should work with most wireless cards, even if they are not from the same manufacturer.

As far as stability goes, Vista 64 bit is more stable than 32 bit due to improvements like protected kernel mode not available on 32 bit Vista.
 
Originally posted by: LessThanDan
Well, I've been Googling around, and I actually found a forum topic created by someone who has tried the 32-bit WMP54G driver on his 64-bit system (and it doesn't work). It seems that someone posted a solution regarding my wireless card:

Check out the following website: http://www.ralinktech.com/rali...e/Support/Windows.html (Ralink makes the chipset for this specific model.) You will want to choose the driver for RT61. You will have to "force" Win Vista to accept the driver. Bypass the automatic search and choose to designate the driver you want to install. Choose the "802.11 PCI Wireless Adapter" listing and it should work. I believe that this is only relevant for the 4.1 version of the WMP54G. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Indeed, I hope it works.

Thanks Gooberlx2. I guess for the time being I am set on buying Vista 64bit. I plan on doing a lot of PC gaming, which will be nice because my current computer is considerably old and I've mainly been playing nintendo games instead. But, I'm excited to install steam and buy orangebox, bioshock, and all that fun stuff I've missed out on over the past while.

I'm still open to any other comments regarding the difference between 32bit and 64bit. Thanks.
Click to expand...






Vista x64 hardware requires 64 bit drivers so I'm not surprised it did not work,you can run 99% of 32 bit software on Vista x64 but you need to check you can get Vista x64 bit drivers for your hardware (ie 64 bit drivers for your video card,NIC,soundcard etc).


I have both Vista x64(main PC) and Vista x86( my laptop) and prefer Vista x64,it runs all my 32 bit software just fine and had all the 64 bit drivers for my hardware within 4 weeks of launch(so back in Feb 2007).


There's quite a few wireless PCI adaptors that work with Vista x64,I know DLink do a few and its easy to check manufacturers websites for Vista x64 driver availability.



As to stability,well Vista x64 is as stable as Vista x86 , in some ways more so since Vista x64 has no legacy 16 bit software support or crap installed in the OS so this makes it leaner in that regards,also better security with signed drivers(good thing in my books).
 
Originally posted by: soonerproud
As far as stability goes, Vista 64 bit is more stable than 32 bit due to improvements like protected kernel mode not available on 32 bit Vista.
Click to expand...
The only reason I assumed that 64 bit is less stable is because I've heard some nightmare stories from people who get a BSOD on a regular basis. I suppose this is just because of certain hardware/software conflicts though, especially on Newegg with certain motherboards where people try 64bit with the mobo and it crashes.

This is a link to the motherboard I am getting though, I guess it doesn't look like it will have any problems with 64bit.
 
Hey guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for the advice. I decided to switch to a better motherboard for my setup. It's a EVGA 122-CK-NF68-A1, which has a better Nvidia chipset and is generally better and less problematic than that other Asus motherboard, judging from specifications and reviews. I'm looking forward to getting my new machine.

You can see my full setup here.
 
Originally posted by: JustaGeek
I do not think that the 680i chipset is more stable that the 650i.

Which doesn't mean that the P5N-E SLi is not "temperamental", although me current setup is perfectly stable.

You should also consider ASUS P5N-D, with a newer 750i chipset, and WAY more stable than 600 series chipsets.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...PA=0&Description=p5n-d

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. The only thing that concerns me about the 700 series is the supposed bug that creates video artifacting in some situations (I've never actually seen it in person, but I've heard dozens of people complain about it).

If anyone wants to fill me in on this issue, they can.
 
Originally posted by: LessThanDan
Check out the following website: http://www.ralinktech.com/rali...e/Support/Windows.html (Ralink makes the chipset for this specific model.) You will want to choose the driver for RT61. You will have to "force" Win Vista to accept the driver. Bypass the automatic search and choose to designate the driver you want to install. Choose the "802.11 PCI Wireless Adapter" listing and it should work. I believe that this is only relevant for the 4.1 version of the WMP54G. Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Please LMK if this worked out for you. I have 32 bit vista right now and have been holding off on moving to 64 bit for this exact reason, I have a WMP54G v4.1.
 
I have another question regarding what kind of power supply I should use. Right now I'm thinking that a 600watt PSU should power my system fine, but I'm just not so sure. I'll list some slightly different and slightly updated specs that I have so maybe someone can help me:

EVGA 123-YW-E175-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 750i Motherboard
Intel Q6600 Quad Core 2.4GHz
Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
EVGA Geforce 8800GT 512MB (x2 SLI)
Seagate 7200RPM SATA hard drive
Samsung SATA DVD burner

This is the PSU I'm thinking of getting. Is a 600watt PSU good for this setup? Or is that extremely off base? This site recommends around 350watts, which seems small to me, but then again what the hell do I know. I originally had a 750watt PSU in my wish list but some of my friends mentioned that's pretty huge.

Edit: Changed from 9600GT to 8800GT. Slightly smaller core clock, but twice as many stream processors. Didn't realize that the 8800s are still a better deal.

Originally posted by: scott916
Please LMK if this worked out for you. I have 32 bit vista right now and have been holding off on moving to 64 bit for this exact reason, I have a WMP54G v4.1.
Click to expand...
Sure thing.
 
I would strongly recommend a quality PSU from a well known manufacturer. Even if it costs twice as much as Rosewill, it will go a long way when you have to troubleshoot potential issues.

I would recommend my Antec True Power Trio 650W, but it comes with only 2 PCIe 6-pin connectors. The future (and some current) Video Cards require 8-pin PCIe plugs, so I would get the one that already comes with those.

Here is one - only ~$109 AR - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W, with 4 x 6+2 pin PCIe connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139006

It would be perfect for your SLI setup IMO, and plenty of power for a Video Card upgrade in a year or so.
 
JustaGeek's suggestion for a power supply really appealed to me because of it being future-proof, as well as just plain being a very powerful as well as popular PSU. Worth the price.

Thanks guys.
 
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