Vista 32 or 64bit?

[Clockwork577]

Here is My new build I'm thinking of. I don't know if I should get Windows Vista 32 or 64 bit. All i want is possibly 4 gigs of ram. Would Vista 32 bit Real all 4 Gigs? And if It doesnt read all 4 How can i max out all the Dim slots to make vista 32 bit read the most with the best performance?

Case: hec 6XR8 Black 0.8mm Thickness SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar SE WD3200AAJS 320GB
Video Card: PNY VCG88512GXPB GeForce 8800GT 512MB
Power Supply: XCLIO STABLEPOWER 500W ATX 500W Power Supply - Retail
Motherboard : ASUS P5N-E NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI
Memory:Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 Conroe 2.33GHz
CD/DVD: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Mode

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148076

That was the memory i was thinking of getting, and if i want to upgrade get another 2gigs, Should i go with 32bit, or will it not read all 4 gigs?

I was also considering getting this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220267

Is this memory faster? 4x1 GB seems like it would be speedy

[TwoRails]

If you want vista, then I'd suggest 32 bit: 64 bit still has too many growing pains. Yes you can use all 4 GB, but it will show up as only about 3.25. With RAM prices, I'd go with 4 myself.

[David M]

Agreed, get Vista 32 before you get Vista 64. You can always dual boot so you can experiment with Vista 64 and go back to Vista 32 when needed, which basically is going to be more compatible with existing software. I am considering doing a triple boot...XP for games and compatibility and speed and then Vista 32 and Vista 64 for getting used to Vista and for playing a couple 64 bit games. That should make Microsoft happy, paying for three of their operating systems. :)

I have 4Gigs of installed memory and Vista 32 only "sees" 2.4 Gigs.

[Clockwork577]

Thanks, So should i go with the Crucial Memory and upgrade later or go with the Patriot 4x1?

[flanzig1]

Don't get that particular Patriot ram kit you linked. They are CAS 4 ram and Intel Duo Core Cpus and motherboards work better with CAS 5.
Could get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220227
and still have the 4gigs of ram and $30 cheaper (with the MIR).

[Clockwork577]

Thanks alot, really appreciated