vista 64 vs 32 bit

[average650]

if i'm building my own computer, will i gain much of a performance increase over the next few years by getting the 64 bit version? If there is hardly a difference then it would just be easeir to stick with 32 bit. also, how difficult should it be to find drivers for the 64 bit version?

[PC WizKid]

I think new programs etc are coming out soon for the 64-bit versions.

[average650]

just out of curiosity, do you know what programs will take advantage of it?

[Lespaul20]

You can browse though this but you won't find that many 64bit programs.


I would stick to 32bit for now. Drivers shouldn't be a problem if you have relatively new hardware but there just isn't that much software written in 64bit.

From what I understand if you purchase Ultimate you get both 32 and 64 bit but only can install one at a time.

[tomster2300]

I have the 32-bit upgrade version of Vista Home Premium. It says in the manual that if I would like to have the 64-bit version I would need to mail them my 32-bit dvd and they would swap it out for me.

[average650]

do you know if you could do that at anytime? so if a year down the road i wanted to change i could? and would that apply to oem as well?

[tomster2300]

Originally Posted by average650 do you know if you could do that at anytime? so if a year down the road i wanted to change i could? and would that apply to oem as well?

I don't know about that - it could easily change in the future as Vista becomes Microsoft's standard operating system.

If you have the hardware and if the current drivers are decent (I have no clue about this), then you might try the 64-bit version out. It shouldn't hurt anything atm, and then you'd be ready for the future when software begins to fully support it. There's no doubt about it being the future - I believe Apple's OS currently runs on a full 64-bit infrastructure. Microsoft is just behind the times, though Vista is the operating system meant to close the gap.

[piasabird]

I thought when you bought Vista you got both the 64 and 32 bit version??? This may depend on the different versions of Vista; home, business, pro?

For 64 Bit you need like twice the RAM. I think 32 bit games and applications run in a virtual mode or simulated 32 bit environment.

[tomster2300]

I believe you get either version with the Ultimate version - you can only install one at a time though. with Home Premium you have to send away for it I believe.

[average650]

since the 32 bit programs run in "virtual mode" or whatever is performance hurt when running 32 bit programs?

[Lespaul20]

Originally Posted by average650 since the 32 bit programs run in "virtual mode" or whatever is performance hurt when running 32 bit programs?

Of all the things I've read the 32bit programs generally don't run as fast as they would on a 32bit OS.

Originally Posted by tomster2300 I believe Apple's OS currently runs on a full 64-bit infrastructure. Microsoft is just behind the times, though Vista is the operating system meant to close the gap.

The OSX Kernal is 32bit but there is support for 64bit software.

[average650]

Originally Posted by Lespaul20 Of all the things I've read the 32bit programs generally don't run as fast as they would on a 32bit OS.

Just so I can do my own research, where have you read this?

[Lespaul20]

I don't want to cite specific webpages because I don't know of any right off hand but try googling "32 bit versus 64 bit" and you should come up with a few revelvant pages.

I belive the main reason for the slight prefomace drop is that the emulation takes CPU time and therefor less CPU is used for the software.