Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit?

[Renegade23216]

I'm building a brand-new Core 2 Duo for a friend. They do not know much about computers and will be calling me for help.

To make this as headache free as possible, should I get Vista 32-bit or 64-bit? I'd rather get XP, but I realize Vista will replace it in the next two-years so might as well invest in it now.

If I go 64-bit, will I have trouble finding 64-bit drivers (are they required?). Will old 32-bit software like Office XP 2003 work on the 64-bit version?

Please advise.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Azo313
I'm building a brand-new Core 2 Duo for a friend. They do not know much about computers and will be calling me for help.

To make this as headache free as possible, should I get Vista 32-bit or 64-bit? I'd rather get XP, but I realize Vista will replace it in the next two-years so might as well invest in it now.

If I go 64-bit, will I have trouble finding 64-bit drivers (are they required?). Will old 32-bit software like Office XP 2003 work on the 64-bit version?

Please advise.

If your starting fresh I recommend V64. Yes you will need drivers but they are generally available now for most common HW (just check what your be putting in the box). As for 32bit software like Office, it will work fine. Only 32bit softwarew which requires its own drivers may have an issue but I've found many of those already updated iwth 64bit drivers as well.

 

[jzodda]

Office 2003 working fine here on Vista 64

I would say go for 64 so you can upgrade your friend to 4G of memory in a year or two. This way you can upgrade w/o having to re-install. 64 Vista is where its all headed since Vista 32bit will be limited to 3gb of mem.

Also the early problems with Vista are quickly fading as drivers keep coming out.

and yes you will need 64 bit drivers but most new hardware coming out today has 64 bit support. For older stuff YMMV

other stuff I have working:

NOD32 virus
Power DVD
Nero7 Ultra
Office 2003
foobar2000
utorrent
TuneUP Utilities 2007
Daemon Tools
Turbo Tax 2006


Hardware:

Nvidia: has 64 bit drivers for vid cards
Creative: just released new drivers a week ago. Solved my last problems


Games working:

Oblivion
Stalker
Gal Civ2
Fear
Medieval 2

I find little problems sometimes, but they seem to be taken care of when I run in admin mode. I forget sometimes so now when I instal an app or game I just set the shortcuts to run in that mode so I can allow myself to forget.

For security I am currently running NOD32, windows defender, windows firewall+hardware firewall, and Spysweeper freeware version. I like the Vista firewall as its very configurable-including support of oubound connections.

 

[jkresh]

Azo313 list the hardware you are planning for the system and verify that they don't use any 16bit software or certain adobe software that requires its own drivers (I think some photoshop pluggins...)
I have been running vista64 for a while and I have not had any major compatibility issues (a little trouble with the nero install but ran fine once installed)...

 

[Renegade23216]

All the hardware (vid, sound, etc. is integrated). So this is the board I'm using. Will it work with Vista 64-bit?

http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813130060

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Azo313
All the hardware (vid, sound, etc. is integrated). So this is the board I'm using. Will it work with Vista 64-bit?

http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813130060

I know there are Realtek Vista x64 drivers for your onboard LAN, onboard sound etc....I don't see any onboard video in that link above you posted,should work fine IMHO,anyway both Nvidia and ATI have Vista x64 drivers .

 

[Renegade23216]

Oops, I need the onboard video since this will never be used for gaming. I'll use this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813135023

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: Azo313
Oops, I need the onboard video since this will never be used for gaming. I'll use this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/product/...p?item=N82E16813135023

Looks like you can get Vista x64 drivers for that onboard graphics chip here ,should not be a problem if you can't since you can just install a very cheap Nvidia/ATI card.

Vista x64 has a lot of built-in drivers anyway so may just install native Vista x64 ones.