32-Bit vs 64-Bit

[T-Kasper]

What difference is there between the two, besides RAM recognition?

With a future system, i'm planning on only 2gb RAM, but possibly upgrading to 4 later.

But seeing as there the same cost, why doesn't everyone just buy the 64-bit version?

-Kasper

[kram 2.0]

Conceptually, it is basically what you said - the amount of memory the OS can address is much greater with a 64-bit system as opposed to a 32-bit system. There is, of course a catch - in order to run a 64-bit system, you not only need a 64-bit processor (common throughout today's market), but also a 64-bit OS, and 64-bit ready software to run within the OS. That is largely the reason most people are staying with the 32-bit platform - there's no current need for the extra memory address for what most people intend to use their systems for.

kram

[jhelmuth]

Well... I mostly agree. What you failed to mention is that 32 bit software can also run on/in a 64 bit OS (particularly Vista and XP). It just have to run in 32 bit mode (so it's not 64 bit software).
What may (and typically is) be a bigger hurdle is the need to have 64 bit drivers for the hardware when running a 64 bit OS...

just my 2 cents.

Jim

[NastyNative]

Im thinking a purchasing the Vista Premium 64 bit builders addition for $111.00 bucks which is only like 20 bucks more then the 32 bit version.

I will be building a system for with the new AMD 64 bit Black edition processor which is like 160 bucks 6400+ 3.2 Ghz dual core.. for the price and the performance of that thing i dont know why anyone would purchase Pentium. Any who the corsair memory DDR 800 is like 67 bucks for 2 1gb which is all i will need for now.

The reason i want to do 64 bit and most important vista is cause i wanna run the new DX10

do you guys think 64 will be too much of a hassle...?

[shadowpr]

No