32bits v. 64bits

[Zygy]

Will someone please explain in plain language of the uninitiated what are
the advantages of 64 bits Windows over 32 bits Windows.

Will it be possible to upgrade from 32 to 64 once all the drivers for
Windows Vista 64 bits are available?

Will the upgrade be only possible with the purchase of new 64 bits Windows,
or is there another way?

 

[William R. Walsh]

Two of the most obvious things:

A fully 64-bit capable processor will be able to address more memory than a
32-bit processor can. This means that programs can do larger amounts of
work. Due to the 64-bit processor, with a 64-bit program running on it, the
program may also transfer data more quickly because it can shuffle larger
chunks of information around in one processor cycle.

With a 64-bit processor running 64-bit Windows, there are also said to be
more security features available. I think most of them have to do with
protection of the operating system kernel from external subversion, but I am
not sure about that.

William

 

[Lang Murphy]

Will someone please explain in plain language of the uninitiated what are
the advantages of 64 bits Windows over 32 bits Windows.

Will it be possible to upgrade from 32 to 64 once all the drivers for
Windows Vista 64 bits are available?

Will the upgrade be only possible with the purchase of new 64 bits
Windows, or is there another way?

William hit the nail on the head with two of the main differences.

Another difference, from an end users POV, is that x64 Vista needs x64
drivers, period. One cannot use x86 (32 bit) drivers on an x64 OS. x64 Vista
will run x86 apps but there are x86 apps out there with 16bit installers and
that won't fly on an x64 system, i.e., those apps won't install. IMHO,
unless you've got an x64 app that you absolutely must use, stick with x86
Vista. There will never be as many drivers for x64 as there will be for x86.

As to upgrading... I know Vista Ultimate ships with both DVD's. One can only
install one or the other, not both. I'm pretty sure that with other versions
of Vista one can request an x64 DVD from MS. Maybe someone else will post a
link with info on that...

Lang

 

[Tom Lake]

Will someone please explain in plain language of the uninitiated what are
the advantages of 64 bits Windows over 32 bits Windows.

Will it be possible to upgrade from 32 to 64 once all the drivers for
Windows Vista 64 bits are available?

You can't do an upgrade as the term is commonly used (keeping your installed
programs and settings) You'll have to do a clean install and reinstall your
programs.

Tom Lake

 

[Alun Harford]

Will someone please explain in plain language of the uninitiated what are
the advantages of 64 bits Windows over 32 bits Windows.

64-bit can be faster, for some (most) applications.

Will it be possible to upgrade from 32 to 64 once all the drivers for
Windows Vista 64 bits are available?

Probably not without formatting your drive and doing a clean installation.

Will the upgrade be only possible with the purchase of new 64 bits Windows,
or is there another way?

I believe if you buy a non-OEM version of Vista, the license allows you
to remove the 32-bit version of Vista and install the 64-bit version, at
no extra cost (although if you've not got Vista Ultimate, you'll have to
pay MS a few $ to ship you a copy of the 64-bit version).

Alun Harford