32 or 64bit vista?

[786ARS]

If you are going to get vista, which version are you going to get, 32bit for compatibility, or 64 for better performance?

[rspassey]

Vista 64 bit will support both 32 and 64 bit applications.

[786ARS]

well the beta doesnt and nor does x64 bit win prof, (i have both on my pc, dual boot) so im betting it wont.

[rspassey]

x64 does -

Windows XP Professional x64 Edition runs 32-bit applications in the Windows on Windows 64 (WOW64) subsystem providing compatibility with the more than 10,000 existing 32-bit Windows applications while enabling new 64-bit applications.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...plications.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...loringx64.mspx

[TwoRails]

I do Not even see a need to update, but if I did, I'd go with the 32. I still just plain old have too many older programs I don't want to give up. Plus, it'll probably take years before drivers catch up, just like it does every time we bump up in CPU bits. I was a holdout in getting XP, but I was one of the first to get Win 98.2. I'll be a holdout on Vista, too. I'm very happy with XP (and with my Win 98.2 box that's still running) and can't see getting a OS that requires sooooo much power just to run it. Heck, it requires more power than most of my games!

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by TwoRails Heck, it requires more power than most of my games!

This is sadly true.

I think I wil get it, and probably dual boot with XP as long as there are SLI drivers for Vista that actually unlock dual video card performance boosts.

[786ARS]

Originally Posted by ryan124712 x64 does - http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...plications.asp http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...loringx64.mspx

no it doesnt, it is very frustrating to find drivers for x64, and sooo many games dont run well on x64, eg the hilarious lego starwars. or cd emulating software, like daemon tools, the software has to be modified, or in some cases, completely re witten. The only reson i havnt got rid of x64 win, is because i am lazy, and i use the 32bit version of vista demo for 32bit stuff.

[blue60007]

Originally Posted by ryan124712 This is sadly true. I think I wil get it, and probably dual boot with XP as long as there are SLI drivers for Vista that actually unlock dual video card performance boosts.

Just so you know, those high requirements are for the new 3d interface. But it can be disabled and be ran in the usual 2d interface. At least that's what I understand it to be.

[MakeYourslf2012]

If I do get Vista, it will probably be the 64bit.

Although I would probably wait about a year after the first SP comes out.

[Jaggannath]

I was early into XP, will most likely be a very late convert to Vista, if at all

[TwoRails]

Speaking of service packs... I'm "hearing" that an SP3 is coming up for XP...

[rspassey]

Originally Posted by TwoRails Speaking of service packs... I'm "hearing" that an SP3 is coming up for XP...

Nice, however five bucks says it crashes my system the first time I go to install it. Happened on one of my computers while installing SP2. What a nightmare, and that was before I knew about PCMech.

[TwoRails]

And that's exactly why I'm still running SP1

[786ARS]

service pack are evil, espicially if you are downloading them over a 56k modem (a long time ago)

[Jaggannath]

I had no problems installing SP2 on this computer, but I'm going to let the other guinea pigs go first of course