Windows Vista 32 Bit or 64 Bit???

[gareth_mattey]

Hi there,

i currently have windows vista ultimate 32 bit x86 but i'm thinking of upgrading to 64 bit ultimate but is it worth it? Any advantages? I'm sure you get asked this a lot but just wondering if it's worth it.

PC Spec:

AMD AM2 6000+ dual core processor
Asus m2n-sli deluxe mobo
4gb ddr2 667 ram
asus x1550 graphics card 1gb


Any help appreciated!

Thanks.

 

[Dzomlija]

To answer your question: Yes, Vista x64 is most definitely worth it, but first make sure that you can get x64 drivers for all your hardware.

You're running on an ASUS board that is a little newer than mine, but in the same "family", so you should have a system that runs pretty sweet.

Just when you go 64 you can't "upgrade" in the normal sense. You'll have to do a clean install of Vista x64.

 

[hclarkjr]

well looking at your system specs with the 4gb of memory that should be enough reason there as 32 bit can not see all the memory and 64 bit can

 

[gareth_mattey]

you know where microsoft released the upgrade advisor for people upgrading from xp to vista, is there anything similar to check if my 32 bit software compatible with 64 bit?

 

[Dzomlija]

you know where microsoft released the upgrade advisor for people upgrading from xp to vista, is there anything similar to check if my 32 bit software compatible with 64 bit?

That you'll have to find out from your software vendor. But in my experience, most 32-bit will run ok on Vista 64, provided that it does not use a 16-Bit installer

 

[gareth_mattey]

well i know 16 bit is way old so i won't have any of that, i'm currently downloading the audio, raid and display drivers for 64 bit so hardware is fine.

i heard in 64 bit anyway where theres users, program files and windows on the hdd, well in 64 bit there's an extra folder for 32 bit applications, is that correct?

 

[hclarkjr]

well i know 16 bit is way old so i won't have any of that, i'm currently downloading the audio, raid and display drivers for 64 bit so hardware is fine.

i heard in 64 bit anyway where theres users, program files and windows on the hdd, well in 64 bit there's an extra folder for 32 bit applications, is that correct?

yes, there is 2 folders listed.

 

[Dzomlija]

well i know 16 bit is way old so i won't have any of that, i'm currently downloading the audio, raid and display drivers for 64 bit so hardware is fine.

i heard in 64 bit anyway where theres users, program files and windows on the hdd, well in 64 bit there's an extra folder for 32 bit applications, is that correct?

There's a "Program Files" folder for x64 binaries, and "Program Files (x86)" for 32-Bit binaries. Only Microsoft will know why they want it that way, but in the grand scheme of things, it makes little difference to how your programs run