32 bit vs 64 bit

[Guest]

during installation of Vista Home Premium i choose the 32 bit version should
i have installed the 64bit version. I amd using a AMD dual core 64fx, with a
MSI premium motherboard and 4gb of ddr ram. I use my syatem for video editing
with Pinnacle 11
thanks

 

[Dave]

64bit should make your computer run faster and will allow you to use all 4GB
of RAM.
On the other hand, you might not find compatible drivers and I read there's
a problrm with software that uses 16-bit installers which aren't compatible
with a 64bit OS

 

[Guest]

You should have installed the 64-bit version only if you want the system to
take full advantage of the 4GB of RAM or more. 32-bit will only see 3.2GB or
something of that RAM due to the rest being assigned to hardware. The caveat
in using 64-bit of course will be obtaining drivers for certain hardware
components. Fwiw, I'm using Ultimate 64-bit and haven't had any problems
driver or software-wise except for an antivirus app (McAfee 2007) which isn't
compatible with 64-bit. The next version due out in October will be.

 

[AJR]

The key used to install the 32 bit version would not be capable of
"activating" the 64 bit version. In addition to the requirement that all
drivrs for 64 must be "authenicated" or "certified" there are some functions
available in 32 bit programs that will not be available when installed on a
64 bit platform,

For example, Office 2007 designed as a 32 bit application will run on a 64
bit machine with some (sight?) reduction in functionality (listed on Office
site).

 

[Bob Knowlden]

Did Microsoft include a 64 bit install disk with your package? I thought
that was only bundled with Ultimate.

I have Vista Home Premium, the upgrade version, with an academic license. I
had to separately order the 64 bit installation disk from MS. (It cost $10,
including shipping.)

I was able to activate the 64 bit installation with the key that came with
the 32 bit disk. A remark by another poster that you'd need a different
license for the 64 bit version appears to be false.

All of my peripherals have full Vista 64 drivers available. I have
occasionally used beta drivers for my nVidia graphics card. I don't
understand driver signing requirements, but they have not been restrictive
for me so far. I haven't tried any hackware yet, like the Slysoft copy
protection defeating stuff.

My main regret is that I didn't spend the extra money for a full
(non-upgrade) version. The XP upgrade installation was nearly as useful as a
full installation disk, but the Vista upgrade is limited. Basically, you are
expected to launch the installation from a running version of Windows. (It's
more complex than that: for example, you can't start the CD from 32 bit XP.)

If you can get 64 bit Vista drivers for all your hardware, and you are
running 4 GB of RAM, the 64 bit version may be worthwhile for you.


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