32bit Vs 64bit

[LiquidFlame]

So I can get a free copy of XP Pro 64bit and Vista Business 64bit. Is 64 better then 32 looking at it with a gaming aspect, and if so, which one is better, XP or Vista? Thanks

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: LiquidFlame
So I can get a free copy of XP Pro 64bit and Vista Business 64bit. Is 64 better then 32 looking at it with a gaming aspect, and if so, which one is better, XP or Vista? Thanks

64 bit version is able to use 4GB of plus ram and more for gaming/software(main advantage) .

Gaming performance compared between Vista x68,x64 and XP .

If you were debating between the 32-bit and 64-bit flavors of Windows Vista, fortunately it looks like performance is similar with either version. Both AMD and NVIDIA?s drivers for both versions of Vista perform practically identical to one another. And if you were concerned about game compatibility with 64-bit Vista, one of the guidelines Microsoft has required for Games For Windows certification is that games must be compatible with Windows Vista x64. This means if the game has a Games For Windows logo on the box, it?s been tested to run with 64-bit Windows Vista. Upcoming games like Alan Wake, Crysis, Fallout 3, Gears of War PC, and Hellgate: London are all Games For Windows compliant.

Considering all this, we?d recommend our readers opt for the 64-bit version of Vista if you?ve got a 64-bit CPU. It runs just as fast in games with the added advantage that it?s more secure and can address considerably more memory (4GB max in 32-bit Vista versus 128GB in 64-bit Vista Ultimate).

Do bear in mind you need to make sure you can get 64 bit drivers for your hardware(there's pretty good driver support from Vista x64 which is improving all the time).

Personally all my 32 bit games (both old and new) have so far been running fine in my Vista x64 HP.Also remember Vista has DX10 support for gaming and even DX10.1 (when SP1 arrives).

 

[LiquidFlame]

So 32bit games can run on 64bit OS?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: LiquidFlame
So 32bit games can run on 64bit OS?

Basically yes,even 32 bit software,ie I'm running CCleaner,Firefox (32 bit version),uTorrent,SpywareBlaster,Spybot,Nero 8,SuperAntiSpyware etc with no problems,however you might find some specialized 32 bit software that won't run or be incompatible with 64 bit OS,however I find that 99% of my software I have used runs fine.


My games list includes classics like Baldur's Gate,Icewind Dale,Morrowind,UT2004,Jedi Academy,Starcraft,KOTOR etc (I have about 42 games installed at the moment).Bear in mind very old 16 bit games won't run in Vista x64 due to no legacy 16 bit support.

 

[LiquidFlame]

Would you not recommend using 64bit unless you have 4GB?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: LiquidFlame
Would you not recommend using 64bit unless you have 4GB?

You can use Vista x64 if you have 2GB of ram etc...personally I think Vista x64 is the way to go and better support long term then Vista x68.

I forgot to meantion that Vista x64 has slightly better security then Vista x68 .

 

[HannibalX]

A word on XP 64-bit. This operating system is based off the Windows 2003 Standard build and is different from XP Pro. Many applications will not run on XP-64 that WILL run on Vista 64.

 

[techgamer]

I have heard and read reviews that XP pro 32bit is more stable for gaming right now than any Vista OS? true or false?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: techgamer
I have heard and read reviews that XP pro 32bit is more stable for gaming right now than any Vista OS? true or false?

I have Vista x64 and XP PCs,I only use XP PC for updates now,while my Vista is used for gaming and general use,so that speaks for itself.Drivers for gaming use etc... have matured a lot since Jan.

Also sound changes have been made in Vista to make it more stable with sound drivers.

Taken from CREATIVE LABS website.

1. The Windows Vista audio engine runs faster than the Windows XP audio engine did, and Vista has tighter requirements on audio buffer position accuracy than XP did. This exposed low level driver bugs that we had not been seen before.

.

 

[techgamer]

Well, if you already have XP pro 32bit for free but if you wanted Vista 64 you would have to go buy it what would you do?

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: techgamer
Well, if you already have XP pro 32bit for free but if you wanted Vista 64 you would have to go buy it what would you do?

I'm not sure of your question,if you wanted something you would buy it .

End of the day choice is yours.