Should I order the 64-bit version of Vista?

[Spaz]

Ok, I bought Vista home edition at the store and it's the 32-bit version.
Inside the packaged they offer the 64-bit version for only 10 bucks. I have
the latest computer system which is capable of running the 64-bit version.
Is there really any advantage to doing so if I'm not running more than 2 gig
RAM?

 

[LaRoux]

Probably not. If you think you might want to go beyond 4gb before you want
to do a reinstall, it is certainly worth considering going x64 now.

 

[Troy McClure]

for $10 why wouldnt you?

 

[Spaz]

for $10 why wouldnt you?

That's exactly right, and it's the only reason I went ahead and ordered it.
It was pretty nice of Microsoft to offer that and I wonder why it's not more
widely advertised. It was a surprise to me when I opened the package. I
was just wondering if there was a better reason for getting it, because I
really have no need for more than 2 gigs of RAM for the next couple of years
and even if I do, the 32-bit version will handle 3 or 4 gigs of RAM very
nicely for me. Does the 64-bit version do anything more than just address
more RAM?

Ok, so for an extra 10 bucks, I get two separate copies of Vista. Good
enough!

 

[LaRoux]

There will certainly be more 64-bit only or enhanced apps to come in the
next couple of years, just not too many now. Expect things that have to move
a lot of data around to have x64 versions first. Games, Video, Photo
editors, database, Virtual Machines, etc. is what I would expect first.

 

[Donald L McDaniel]

Probably not. If you think you might want to go beyond 4gb before you want
to do a reinstall, it is certainly worth considering going x64 now.

Personally, I would wait till more 64bit drivers and software for
Vista are released,.

By the way, Home Edition will ONLY support 4GB memory, no matter WHICH
edition it is.

Anyway, buy it. Heck, $10 is pretty cheap..


Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread and newsgroup

 

[Daniel Jameson]

Hi,

Getting the disc for $10 is fine. But several threads in this newsgroup say
that you should use x64 only if you need to. It has a lot of restrictions
and driver issues that the 32-bit edition doesn't. Your stuff is more
likely to work with the 32-bit verison. Then in a couple years when you
need to reinstall Windows just to clean out the accumulated crud, you can
install the x64 version , and there should be alot better support from the
industry.

 

[LaRoux]

Actually, x64 Home Basic max is 8GB and x64 Home Premium max is 16GB.

 

[Bryan Foster]

I was using 32 bit vista on my home pc, im using 32 bit vista on my business
pc right now. When I got the final release I installed the 64 bit just to
try it. I have seen no difference in the 2 really, but im only running 2 gb
of ram. BUT, the drivers are crap for 32 bit versions and they are equal
crap for 64 bit! END OF STORY! Go to nvidia.com, creative.com,
logitech.com, etc. They have drivers for both 32 & 64 bit, it has been no
problem getting 64 bit drivers, and I must say that nvidia has been the only
ones to offer "decent" drivers for us beta testers. Creative is now saying
march before there final drivers will be out. If your pc can run on windows
drivers, your all good, but dont run away from 64bit because of driver
problems, because if you require non-window drivers your going to have fun
with both 32 bit and 64 bit! Read around!

Side Note: Cheers to logitech, they got some drivers up yesterday I think,
for my mouse, but still none for my joystick. And the windows drivers on my
work pc are great, no problems at all!

 

[LaRoux]

This has been my experience also. For what it's worth, no problems with x64
ATI drivers for months now. My test machine is somewhat generic but does
include a Hauppauge PVR 150, a crappy ECS mobo, both SATA and IDE drives. I
did stay away from the onboard RAID out of fear.

I guess the moral of the story is make a list of the hardware and software
you can't do without and verify that they are already compatible or that
compatible drivers exist before upgrading to either x86 or x64.

 

[Guest]

That's exactly right, and it's the only reason I went ahead and ordered it.
It was pretty nice of Microsoft to offer that and I wonder why it's not more
widely advertised. It was a surprise to me when I opened the package. I
was just wondering if there was a better reason for getting it, because I
really have no need for more than 2 gigs of RAM for the next couple of years
and even if I do, the 32-bit version will handle 3 or 4 gigs of RAM very
nicely for me. Does the 64-bit version do anything more than just address
more RAM?

Ok, so for an extra 10 bucks, I get two separate copies of Vista. Good
enough!

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Of course. Even if you store it at least you have it.