Vista 32 vs 64, do I understand?

[jkohm]

I assume all software that runs on Vista32 will run on Vista64 but, it may not utilize the 64 bit architecture and I can use more memory with V64.

The problem is with the lack of hardware drivers in V64 for some (most) hardware.

Most of my current hardware is on a networked XP system so going to V64 shouldn't be a big deal.

[safan80]

you shouldn't have too much of a problem unless your printer isn't supported or some other cheap hardware doesn't support vista.

[m^2]

Wrong:
1. Programs that use kernel drivers won't work unless they have a 64-bit version.
2. 32 bit programs won't be able to access some directories and some parts of the registry unless they are x64 aware.
These are not very common things, but it's important to know.

[zanzabar]

I assume all software that runs on Vista32 will run on Vista64 but, it may not utilize the 64 bit architecture and I can use more memory with V64.

The problem is with the lack of hardware drivers in V64 for some (most) hardware.

Most of my current hardware is on a networked XP system so going to V64 shouldn't be a big deal.

unless u are hardware that came from the win2k era (if so no 64bit in the 1st place) then u will have driver problems, but as of now there is no driver problems for 99.9% of the hardware


just look at the MS catalog and the manufactures websites
http://test.catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/home.aspx

also if your networking, get biz, enterprise, or ulti

[sheriff_deadeye]

rather than start a new thread, i thought i'd ask here...what is the max. supported memory for Vista 64bit ? Is addressing above 4gb in any way hardware dependent ?

[SoulsCollective]

2^64 bytes - or nearly 17 terrabytes.

[Levish]

2^64 bytes - or nearly 17 terrabytes.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/64-bit.aspx

specifically
Windows Vista edition
64-bit memory support

Home Basic
8 GB

Home Premium
16 GB

Ultimate
128+ GB

Business
128+ GB

Enterprise
128+ GB

[Fusion2002]

Is there a benchmark score difference between 32 bit and 64 bit vista? Is it worth switching to 64 bit or will 32 perform the same?

[Toysoldier]

Is there a benchmark score difference between 32 bit and 64 bit vista? Is it worth switching to 64 bit or will 32 perform the same?

In some applications 64 bit vista will be a little slower in others a lot faster.

Let me give you some examples ....

In Everest 64-bit scores a little lower than 32-bit, but it's within 10-15 % and due to the fact that everest is a 32-bit app.

When running the Winrar benchmark test Vista 64-bit gets 3-400 Kb/s lower score.(I wish Winrar would be available in 64-bit)

When 32-bit programs run under the WOW64 emulator in x64 they will score a little lower than when they are running under x86.

If you can find a 64-bit version of a 32-bit program it most likely will run faster if not a lot faster.

The 64-bit version of boinc produces around 20% more points than when running under x86.(The main reason why I use Vista x64 and not XP anymore)

FPS rates in games are about the same, some games run faster when running under 64-bit, some slower.

On everyday use I doubt you will be able to tell the difference unless there is a certain program which shows a huge performance difference when being run on the 2 platforms.

I could go on and on, adding more examples to the list. However it all depends on the programs you use. But most, if not all review sites are using Vista x64 when they do their reviews on new hardware, meaning 64-bit is slowly getting more and more widespread and commonplace.

[alexanderhuzar]

Have no fear, x64 is here! (Whether you like it or not...)

[LagunaX]

I switched from x86 to x64 vista.
My favorite anti-spyware, Nero, and VSO convert x to dvd programs were not compatible or crashed a lot.
Clonedvd2 would freeze at times also.

Needless to say I switched back.

Didn't see an huge appreciable difference really between my 4ghz e8400 2gb x86 system and my 4ghz e8400 4gb x64 system either.
But that's my usage - I don't crunch or do quad core video conversions.

Oh yeah - one thing that really annoyed me - I suppose the 64 bit antispy/antivirus programs were a tad faster in processing but actually took 2-4 times as long to process since x64 vista has so many additional system files and partitions to scan. You have the x86 program files, the x64 program files, and some huge windows file that would always take forever to scan.