64 or 32-bit Vista?

[pipes1243]

I'm building a rig, with a ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775. Would it be worth it to get the 64-bit Vista to make full use of the 8gb ram option, or would I be better off sticking with the Home basic 32-bit. It will be used for mid-game, and HTPC.

[shadowpr]

If you're going to install 8gb of ram, then get the 64 bit version.

[Khalil]

You might want to make sure all the software and games you plan on using will work with 64bit.
Also if you have printers/scanners or any external devices connected to the computer make sure you can get 64 bit drivers for them.
If you end up installing 32bit due to compatiblity don't waste money on more than 3GB of memory.

[pipes1243]

Is the majority of software heading towards 64-bit, that in the long run it would be worth getting it, or is this version Vista still of bugs?

[shadowpr]

I have home premium 64, and haven't had any problems. I also don't have any peripherals installed. I just have a network printer. It's on a newer build, so the hardware drivers were available. Any software I use either has a 64bit version, or was able to run on vista 64 anyway.

Like has been said, you should check that out. I knew I would have problems, cause I was getting new hardware.

Eventually, software will be 64 bit, but it will be a slow progression. You should start to see more programs coming out with 64 bit versions though.

[Masaki 7-11]

I really haven't seen or heard of any programs or games for the home computing market being made for 64-bit natively, most likely it will be a decent amount of time before programs and games will be made for 64-bit natively. If for some reason you need lots of ram, then 64-bit is the best solution, if you're using 4GB or less, 32-bit is more stable, and has better compatibility/performance.

[pipes1243]

What's a decent amount of time. 2 months, 2 years? Just a rough guess would be fine. I just don't want to spend all this money on an OS that will be outdated in a year or two.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by pipes1243 What's a decent amount of time. 2 months, 2 years? Just a rough guess would be fine. I just don't want to spend all this money on an OS that will be outdated in a year or two.

Years, they are barely scratching the surface when it comes to 64 bit, it is very costly and time consuming to develop 64 bit software at this time.
Most people who use 64 bit versions of windows are either Power Gamers or developers. The majority of software on the market won't work right or even work period with 64 bit vista.

[pipes1243]

Thanks for the all the helpful information. I think for now I'm going to stick with the Vista Home Basic 32-bit. Maybe in a few years I'll invest in a 64-bit OS.

[Khalil]

Good choice, Microsoft already announced a new OS called Windows 7 coming out next year sometime.

[gods_son_is_me]

I'm a musician and I use a 64-bit OS. There aren't any bugs. Just make sure you're using newer games and hardware. Pretty much most software works with 64-bit OSs. It's really only the printers and scanner that are having problems.

[David M]

Set your system up so that it can dual boot Vista 64 and XP. You will have the best of both worlds. Vista 64 for any games that can run on it and XP for reliability and compatibility and for running your "older" applications that 64 cannot run.

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by gods_son_is_me I'm a musician and I use a 64-bit OS. There aren't any bugs. Just make sure you're using newer games and hardware. Pretty much most software works with 64-bit OSs. It's really only the printers and scanner that are having problems.

As a musician, what software are you using in 64 bit? I am developing a PC specificaly for musicians and recording. Input would be helpful. Thanks

[erucader]

Originally Posted by David M Set your system up so that it can dual boot Vista 64 and XP.

Hey that's a pretty good idea. At this point I'd use 64-bit for a server but I think 32 is going to be more convenient for a while still.

[pipes1243]

If Windows 7 is coming out next year, what will happen with Vista? I just purchased the Home Premium. How much would an upgrade disc to Windows 7 cost?

[Khalil]

Originally Posted by pipes1243 If Windows 7 is coming out next year, what will happen with Vista? I just purchased the Home Premium. How much would an upgrade disc to Windows 7 cost?

Vista will continue but they realized it takes a lot of hardware to make it run right and the market is not going towards more expensive PCs, so they are coming out with windows 7 for the cheaper low end computers. From all current articles I have read windows 7 is very likely to be open source = Free

[dabro15]

I highly dought that they will offer Windows 7 for free. They still charge about 90 bucks for a lisenced copy of XP.

[Katreat]

The main advantage of a 64 bit OS is that it recognizes more than about 3.2 GB of ram.

The disadvantages I have heard are:

1. Compatibility, especially peripherals but also with older software.

2. Support, although from what I have been reading lately it sounds like Vista 64 is getting much better support than XP 64 ever did.

3. Speed, although 64 bit is faster with software developed for 64 bit, it actually runs slower on 32 bit software (which is most everything).

So, if you have programs which where written for 64 bit then you should go that direction. If you have programs that really benefit from more than 3 GB of ram then 64 bit is a good option. If neither of those apply then stick with 32 bit.

Basically, the future is probably 64 bit but it is not just around the corner. The vast majority of the market is still running on 32 bit OS so there is very little driving the change to 64 bit. Most software is optimized for less than 2 GB of ram so there is very little advantage in having more at this time. I would have thought that the advantage of more ram would be driving the market but ram itself keeps getting faster and better so that is probably slowing down the need for more.

Kat

[Khalil]

Well said Kat. I been very anxious to use 64 bit windows but it seems to be slower on most 32 bit applications as you stated. It is a very limited OS. It works really well though with most very recent games.

[gods_son_is_me]

Hey, I got XP Pro x64, it's perfectly fine. I've been able to run every single program ever. Only one program didn't install. It was made when Windows 2000 was out (Sin). That's all. I've seen stuff were printers and scanners don't work. But haven't had any trouble.

There are some MIDI sound cards that don't work, but that's all in the chip set, not the OS. All you have to do get a MIDI-to-USB cord. It's more responsive as well. And most sound cards have drivers for x64 windows too. Just check up on them before purchasing. Creative is pretty trustworthy. All MIDI controllers work automatically. They usually don't require extra drivers. I use the MPD24, and no dirvers are needed. Its automatic.