Vista 32 bit vs. Vista 64 bit - Benchmarked

Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit Benchmarked​

Posted by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes 2-21-2008

SOURCE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com
NOTE: Click here to read the complete article.

My benchmarking marathon last week seemed to generate more questions and requests for further benchmarking. A popular request from you, Constant Reader, was to see Windows Vista 32-bit benchmarked against Windows Vista 64-bit.

You asked, I delivered. Enjoy!

The Test System

To carry out this run of benchmarks I chose a base system that represents the sort of system that someone might want to have 4GB or more of RAM installed and therefore want to go the 64-bit route. I’m certain that my choice of system will generate a lot of feedback relating to its suitability.
Here’s the spec of that system:

• Phenom 9700 quad-core processor
• ATi Radeon 3850 graphics card with 256MB RAM
• ASUS M3A32-MVP Deluxe motherboard
• 2GB (2 x 1GB) Corsair Dominator CM2X1024-8500C5D RAM
• Western Digital Raptor 10,000RPM 150GB primary hard drive
• Western Digital Caviar 7,200RPM 500GB secondary hard drive

The following OS combinations were tested:

• Vista 32-bit RTM
• Vista 32-bit SP1
• Vista 64-bit RTM
• Vista 64-bit SP1

Each system was fully patched with all patches available from Windows Update.


SOURCE: Vista 32-bit vs. Vista 64-bit - Benchmarked | Hardware 2.0 | ZDNet.com
NOTE: Click here to read the complete article.

 

[Bubbalou]

I have Vista 32 and 64 on my machine (Abit KN-9 SLI with 2gb memory and AMD Athlon X2 6000+
When running Spybot SD or other long winded software my computer will heat up and warn me and sometimes would shut down UNLESS I put the power level to POWER SAVER. I found running Spybot SD, Registry 1st Aid, and NOD32 scan while looking at the internet and running Windows Mail in 64 bit didn't seem to bother the CPU temp at all even in High Performance mode. This is the main reason I decided to use Vista 64. Hey and Microsoft finally got off it's "Duff" and put out a Vista 64 bit compatible Trackball Optical mouse driver. Not bad considering Vista 32 and 64 have been out for a year.

 

[Datagg]

I told mine that she would like it if she just tried it. I think I'm gonna put Home Prem 64 on it and let her try it out.

Just slap some skins on it to look like XP and shell think SP3 is one helluva update:D

 

[03hdfatboy]

I have xp sp3 RC2. I downloaded it from MS b-4 I left to go to work so I'll check it out when I get home.

FATBOY

 

[roy69]

I have Vista 32 and 64 on my machine (Abit KN-9 SLI with 2gb memory and AMD Athlon X2 6000+
When running Spybot SD or other long winded software my computer will heat up and warn me and sometimes would shut down UNLESS I put the power level to POWER SAVER. I found running Spybot SD, Registry 1st Aid, and NOD32 scan while looking at the internet and running Windows Mail in 64 bit didn't seem to bother the CPU temp at all even in High Performance mode. This is the main reason I decided to use Vista 64. Hey and Microsoft finally got off it's "Duff" and put out a Vista 64 bit compatible Trackball Optical mouse driver. Not bad considering Vista 32 and 64 have been out for a year.

If your computer is warning you about heat problems, check your cooling. Even though you are not getting any error under vista it is just as well to check.

 

[Brink]

I have Vista 32 and 64 on my machine (Abit KN-9 SLI with 2gb memory and AMD Athlon X2 6000+
When running Spybot SD or other long winded software my computer will heat up and warn me and sometimes would shut down UNLESS I put the power level to POWER SAVER. I found running Spybot SD, Registry 1st Aid, and NOD32 scan while looking at the internet and running Windows Mail in 64 bit didn't seem to bother the CPU temp at all even in High Performance mode. This is the main reason I decided to use Vista 64. Hey and Microsoft finally got off it's "Duff" and put out a Vista 64 bit compatible Trackball Optical mouse driver. Not bad considering Vista 32 and 64 have been out for a year.

Hi Bubbalou,

Welcome to Vista x64 Forums.

I agree with Roy. If you are having heat issues, I would definitely check into that and improve the air flow situation to prevent a piece of hardware from failing or melting. :eek:

It could be something as simple as needing a good cleaning.

Shawn

 

[KentuckyRanger]

Very interesting results. My 64bit non SP1 system got a pretty good score. It's taken me too long to get Vista to work well so I'm not going to tempt fate and do a 32bit test, LOL!
I figured that 64bit would have been allot faster than 32bit though...

 

[03hdfatboy]

Well I finally ran it... Thanks to my Hard disk I got a 5.3 Everything else was a 5.9. That score doesen't effect anything but my pride, and at my age what good is pride?...It'll get your ass kicked, or make you spend too much money.

 

[03hdfatboy]

I re ran Passmark after a defrag and it made a hell-of-a difference...

 

[MilesAhead]

I have Vista 32 and 64 on my machine (Abit KN-9 SLI with 2gb memory and AMD Athlon X2 6000+
When running Spybot SD or other long winded software my computer will heat up and warn me and sometimes would shut down UNLESS I put the power level to POWER SAVER. I found running Spybot SD, Registry 1st Aid, and NOD32 scan while looking at the internet and running Windows Mail in 64 bit didn't seem to bother the CPU temp at all even in High Performance mode. This is the main reason I decided to use Vista 64. Hey and Microsoft finally got off it's "Duff" and put out a Vista 64 bit compatible Trackball Optical mouse driver. Not bad considering Vista 32 and 64 have been out for a year.

I tried latest Spybot S&D with 32 bit Vista Home Premium and when I
double-clicked it, I'd just get the spinning circle cursor and my CPU would
max out. It wouldn't even load. I think it has some 32 bit Vista issues.
(HP Pavilion with AMD X2 5200+ and 2 GB ram running no swap.)

I uninstalled. Mainly I use Sandboxie for protection. Unfortunately no more
64 bit support since SP1 is plugging the in-memory kernel tweaks Sandboxie uses.

 

[gzt7d8]

I've been intrigued by 64 bit OS version. I would like to try it to see what kind of a lift you get from performance. I think the only thing that has kept me away has been the driver and software support.

But I think the support is improving over time, so maybe I'll take the plunge some day.

 

[KentuckyRanger]

I've been intrigued by 64 bit OS version. I would like to try it to see what kind of a lift you get from performance. I think the only thing that has kept me away has been the driver and software support.

But I think the support is improving over time, so maybe I'll take the plunge some day.

Don't expect twice the performance and you won't be disappointed.
It does make a difference and in some cases like video editing it really speeds up editing.
I think maybe in Time when programs start writing 64bit code things will get even better.
As for working with 32bit software I haven't had any problems with compatibility so don't let that sway you.
You'll find more problems trying to run 64bit on a 32bit system, well, you can't run it...
That's one great advantage to using a 64bit O/S because it's backwards compatible thanks to the 32bit data contained within the software.

 

[gzt7d8]

Thanks for the insight, KyRanger!

 

[wwdove]

Dumb question. I'm new to Vista and I'm not sure if my version is 32bit or 64 bit. How do I find out?

 

[Brink]

Hi WWDove,

Welcome to Vista Forums.

Not a dumb question.

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Right click on Computer button and click Properties.
3. Under the System section, you will see which version you have next to System type.

Shawn

 

[fieseler]

you called always change computer description to say x64 based computer to remind u & rub other ppls noses in it that u can run it & they cant :-) i know im never going back especially now that i have 8gb ram!

 

[johngalt]

A shortcut to getting to System Properties is to hold down the Windows Key on your keyboard (usually denoted by the Windows symbol, the quad colored wavy flag, but may also be denoted by the word 'Start') and then pressing the Pause key (Usually located above Page Up).