Why 64 Bit?

[Jay]

P.S. Sory if multiple messages have been sent (Title: 32 vs 64)... I am
having a difficult ime with this client and network connectivity.


Is there really a big difference in performance when running 64 bit Vista vs
32? I have an AMD Athlon 3200 Socket 939 64 bit processor on an Asus A8N
SLI Delux board (I dont use SLI). 2 GB RAM and a 250 GB HD. I find that in
Vista 64 (RTM) not all devices are supported and I cant seem to find
drivers. I'm considering running 32 bit Vista. Will there be a difference
in performance? When does one need 64 bit?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

No. At least for programs that are not bumping into 32bit memory
constraints. If you are doing large media files then consider 64bit.
Otherwise, use the edition that supports your devices and software best.

 

[Guest]

It amazes me that we're still at 32 bit. I remember my first 32 bit Intel
processor was 21 years ago. Equally amazing is that Windows still supports
DOS apps.

Dale

 

[Nero]

No DOS in vista

It amazes me that we're still at 32 bit. I remember my first 32 bit Intel
processor was 21 years ago. Equally amazing is that Windows still
supports
DOS apps.

Dale

 

[Nero]

not much point in having an OS that is 64 bit on a pc that has 64 bit cpu
unless ALL software is written for 64 bit.
What's the gain in it if you run 32 bit software?
None

 

[David Wilkinson]

not much point in having an OS that is 64 bit on a pc that has 64 bit cpu
unless ALL software is written for 64 bit.
What's the gain in it if you run 32 bit software?
None

Nero:

You've made this statement before, and it makes no sense. 32 bit apps
run fine on 64 bit OS, so all you need is SOME 64-bit software. Why
would you need ALL? Also, in the future there will be more 64-bit software.

The real issue is drivers. You need to make sure that there are 64-bit
drivers for all your devices, or you will have to replace them.

David Wilkinson

 

[Nero]

That is MY choice in what I say.
In the FUTURE?
So what......
that is then, this is now.
You cannot use 32 bit drivers

 

[Nero]

Why don't you keep YOUR opinions to yourself regardin what I do or do not
say???
#

 

[Nero]

AND YOU do not make sense mush.............
are you a YANK?

 

[Tom Lake]

No DOS in vista

No, but it does run DOS programs just fine in a window.

Tom Lake

 

[David Wilkinson]

That is MY choice in what I say.
In the FUTURE?
So what......
that is then, this is now.
You cannot use 32 bit drivers

Nero:

I just try to correct misinformation. When you say

"not much point in having an OS that is 64 bit on a pc that has 64 bit
cpu unless ALL software is written for 64 bit"

this is just not true.

Of course you cannot use 32-bit drivers in Vista x64. I never said you
could.

If you choose Vista x86, you lock yourself out of using 64 bit software
in the future.

I'm just testing now, so I test both versions. When it comes to setting
up a Vista system for actual use, I'm really not sure which I will
select. It's a difficult decision I think.

David Wilkinson

 

[Dennis Pack]

Nero:
Anybody that doesn't agree with you is not wrong. To let you know
I'm an American that doesn't speak Italian using an American product. If
we're so bad why don't you buy Italian? I've been running Windows XP x64
since it was in beta and full time since release. I've been testing Vista
x64 also. At this point in time a 64-bit operating system isn't required
just like a 32-bit operating system wasn't required to run DOS 3.1. At this
point in time most home users don't need a 64-bit operating system unless
they're using large programs or data bases and there are some advantages
with newer games. I don't need a 64-bit operating system for most of what I
do but I find it much more stable and there is a response difference even
with 32-bit programs. Drivers have been an issue but I have all the drivers
for my systems including video capture in XP x64, with Vista x64 I still
need the video capture drivers. Don't knock 64-bit operating systems because
they are the future just like 32-bit operating systems were with Windows 95.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Agreed. Why bother with the expense of rewritting software that works fine
under WOW64 just to have it do the same thing as a native 64bit app? The
emergance of 64bits doesn't suddenly render all 32bit apps inoperable.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

The restrictions in x64 concerning drivers is a real contributor to the
stability of the OS. There are tens of thousands of bad 32bit drivers. The
switch to 64bits provides a good housecleaning.