What can i expect when upgrading to 64 bit vista?

[DJFuji]

It's about time for the ol' windows format. I'd love to wait until Windows 7 64-bit ships, but i don't know if i can wait over 4 months considering the OS-rot is getting pretty bad right now.

So i'm stuck with Vista. I'm running 32-bit right now with 4 gigs of ram and a C2D 6400 w/ 8800 GTS320. So yeah, about 2 year old tech. I'm planning to upgrade mobo, CPU, RAM (if necessary), and GPU, along with an OS reinstall.

Questions is, what can i expect from vista 64 bit? I've never run it before so im not sure what it will break. I know certain hardware probably won't work (my old school ATi Remote Wonder 2, for example, which barely runs under Vista 32). But what else may potentially not work?

And is it worth it to buy an SSD to install windows on? Right now i'm running it on a Raptor 150-x.

Comments?

 

[VinDSL]

At one time, 64-bit OSs had bragging rights - but, now they're like brushing your teeth and/or shaving! ZZZZzzzz...

And, forget SSD - more bragging rights - come n' gone. Sorry, you missed that one too!

Looks like you're lookin' for love in the wrong places... but who am I to judge?

If you REALLY want to impress ppl - go buy a 12.1" netbook - and load it up with Ubuntu.

Whomever you're trying to impress will *think* you're crazy as a March Hare - guaranteed!

And, you might learn how dull 64-bit Windows and SSD is, in the process... 😀

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: VinDSL
At one time, 64-bit OSs had bragging rights - but, now they're like brushing your teeth and/or shaving! ZZZZzzzz...

And, forget SSD - more bragging rights - come n' gone. Sorry, you missed that one too!

Looks like you're lookin' for love in the wrong places... but who am I to judge?

If you REALLY want to impress ppl - go buy a 12.1" netbook - and load it up with Ubuntu.

Whomever you're trying to impress will *think* you're crazy as a March Hare - guaranteed!

And, you might learn how dull 64-bit Windows and SSD is, in the process... 😀

Pretty terrible advice, he didnt ask anything about a netbook with ubuntu.

OP: A 64bit OS is faster than 32bit OS for many common tasks, this is fact. Check that your hardware have the appropriate drivers if you intend to switch over, generally there is no issue unless you are running a printer from 2001- all 'Vista certified' devices are required to have 64bit drivers aswell as 32. If I were you however, I'd download the Win7 64bit RC and give it a go, It's free and valid until mid next year by which time you have time to purchase the full version after it's October release. Win7 is just all round better than Vista and you'd see a more notable difference in using Win7 64 over just upgrading to 64bit Vista.

SSD's are great but be sure to checkout AT's recent SSD anthology before buying as it pays to buy the correct SSD that doesn't exhibit stuttering- you will notice how much faster applications load and Windows boots over conventional hard drives.

 

[Scotteq]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
It's about time for the ol' windows format. I'd love to wait until Windows 7 64-bit ships, but i don't know if i can wait over 4 months considering the OS-rot is getting pretty bad right now.

So i'm stuck with Vista. I'm running 32-bit right now with 4 gigs of ram and a C2D 6400 w/ 8800 GTS320. So yeah, about 2 year old tech. I'm planning to upgrade mobo, CPU, RAM (if necessary), and GPU, along with an OS reinstall.

Questions is, what can i expect from vista 64 bit? I've never run it before so im not sure what it will break. I know certain hardware probably won't work (my old school ATi Remote Wonder 2, for example, which barely runs under Vista 32). But what else may potentially not work?

And is it worth it to buy an SSD to install windows on? Right now i'm running it on a Raptor 150-x.

Comments?

If it runs under Vista 32, it nearly universally will run under 64. The exception is device drivers, which you can easily source from the makers. Microsoft require 64 bit drivers be fully functional and available in order for the maker to use a windows logo on the box, so... Though I think you're right to suspect your ATi card, in this case. I don't believe that's supported any longer... For the rest of the components you listed, I don't believe you'll have much in the way of troubles.

You can run the Upgrade Advisor for specific information: http://www.microsoft.com/windo...t/upgrade-advisor.aspx


Regarding the switch to 64 bit: You will have to do a clean install. It is not possible to directly upgrade an existing x86 install to x64.

Regarding "usage" of Vista 64 versus Vista 32: I sinceretly doubt you'd notice much difference at all. Off the top of my head: You'll have two links for Internet Exploder (one for 32 bit, and the other for the 64 bit version) Your computer information will display x64 instead of x86. You will have two programs files - One marked for x86 and the other for native 64 bit programs. And if you like playing with a lot of shareware, Vista 64 does NOT like unsigned applications/drivers at all, and will prevent you from running them.


An alternate plan: Buy a second HDD, download the 64 bit version of Windows 7 from Microsoft (free for registering), burn that as an iso, and install Win 7 on the second hard drive as a dual boot. Then your existing installation is unsullied.

 

[mc866]

Go for it, I have a very similar setup to you, e6000, 8800 GTS and I've been running Vista 64 for well over a year now. The change should mostly be seamless, the only things I would double check before the install is to verify to see if all of your devices like printers, scanners, etc, all have Vista 64 bit drivers. Other than that I don't see any issues based on the info you've provided.

 

[pjkenned]

Yea, watch out for really old peripherals... espeically if you have a non-USB/network printer or something that uses a serial port (people still have those right?)

Vista x64 just works. 32-bit emulation is seamless. If you don't have super old hardware, you probably won't get to experience any big hiccups.

 

[DJFuji]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm probably gonna install the windows 7 RC on another hard drive and start using that. Those of you using 7 as your primary OS, is it stable enough for day-to-day, non-mission-critical systems?

 

[California Roll]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm probably gonna install the windows 7 RC on another hard drive and start using that. Those of you using 7 as your primary OS, is it stable enough for day-to-day, non-mission-critical systems?

For me, yes. Haven't had a single crash, bsod, etc., yet.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
OP: A 64bit OS is faster than 32bit OS for many common tasks, this is fact.

64-bit OS is faster than 32-bit OS in very few common tasks.

 

[Blazer]

my first time using a 64 bit os, painless would be the best discription, format you hd before the installation was the only toe stump i had.

fyi Win 7 loaded all my drivers, i figured i would need printer drivers but turned out i didnot.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
OP: A 64bit OS is faster than 32bit OS for many common tasks, this is fact.

64-bit OS is faster than 32-bit OS in very few common tasks.

File compression, audio encoding, Adobe's Flash 64bit (Alpha), 3D rendering that require more than 4gb all show marked improvements in 64bit over 32.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
I know certain hardware probably won't work (my old school ATi Remote Wonder 2, for example, which barely runs under Vista 32).

Something I wanted to note. Under XP and Vista, my old Radeon HDTV Wonder card refused to work. It fails under XP and there's no drivers at all for Vista. Under 7 RC1, functional drivers are available through Windows Update and the card works fine through Windows Media Center. Your Remote Wonder could very well work.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
File compression, audio encoding, Adobe's Flash 64bit (Alpha), 3D rendering that require more than 4gb all show marked improvements in 64bit over 32.

I can count on my fingers and toes the number of persons within a 10 mile radius who ever do any of these very "common" things with their PC.

 

[caharin]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I'm probably gonna install the windows 7 RC on another hard drive and start using that. Those of you using 7 as your primary OS, is it stable enough for day-to-day, non-mission-critical systems?

Could you please let me know how the remote wonder worked? or if it actually did work.

some details would be greatly appreciated

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
File compression, audio encoding, Adobe's Flash 64bit (Alpha), 3D rendering that require more than 4gb all show marked improvements in 64bit over 32.

I can count on my fingers and toes the number of persons within a 10 mile radius who ever do any of these very "common" things with their PC.

lol seriously those are far from common tasks.