64bit or 32bit Vista?

[Aberforth]

Which version of Windows Vista do you prefer- x64 or x32? and Why? All new-generation hardware has 64bit driver support so it won't be a big problem for Users with new hardware to run x64. OR

Are you concerned about Vista x64 because of?

-Driver Support?
-Impact on 32 bit applications that run in 64
-Stability issues
-Speed
-High Windows x64 Memory Usage - needs more RAM!!!
-lack of 64bit optimized Software/Games
-Your processor not supporting 64 bit

 

[Solema]

Using x86 here. For me, x64 just isn't ready for prime-time yet. I use tweaked nVidia drivers for my graphics card, which naturally aren't digitally signed, so I'd have to get rid of those. Not to mention, last time I checked, you can't overclock your card in x64 because RivaTuner doesn't work with it yet. I dunno, I guess for me it just seems superfluous to run x64 when I only have 2GB of RAM and not a single 64-bit program that would need x64 OS.

 

[Swampthing]

32bit version. Bigtime worried about driver support as i think they are focusing on the 32bit versions first so i think the 64bit versions are suffering for it. Also running 32bit version because there is no viable reason right now to run 64bit. There's not a single game that i play that's 64bit nor are there any coming. If there was one single game or app that i used or played that was 64 bit then i'd probably have installed the 64 bit version of vista.

 

[cownipples]

I just purchased the Vista home premium 64 bit version it was only 1$ more so I figured I would be ready for the future 32 bit was 119.95 and 64 bit was 120.95, I installed it in my new rig evga 680i 8800 gtx with no issues runs awsome so if you have the latest hardware I would go for the 64 bit.

 

[Aberforth]

Originally posted by: cownipples
I just purchased the Vista home premium 64 bit version it was only 1$ more so I figured I would be ready for the future 32 bit was 119.95 and 64 bit was 120.95, I installed it in my new rig evga 680i 8800 gtx with no issues runs awsome so if you have the latest hardware I would go for the 64 bit.

what about games though?

 

[MikeyLSU]

I'm running x32 but I don't have a 64 bit processor yet so I don't have a choice.

When I upgrade I will think about moving up to 64 version, but the driver support has got to be better before I do.

 

[Smilin]

32bit here.

The drivers that have been released *for vista* are working fine for both 32 and 64. It's the older XP drivers that I have to wedge in that worry me. There are some devices I have that simply don't have a 64bit driver yet.

 

[Mem]

64 bit for me,no brainer really,better Vista security with 64 bit,ideal for large ram users and some games will be 64 bit down the road and it runs all my 32 bit software fine ,plus Microsoft's next OS I hear is 64 bit only.


As for drivers it had them all for my PC except my Winfast DTV USB 2.0 tuner,however there are no Vista x86 or x64 drivers available for that, so out of luck eitherway I went with what Vista version.

 

[sourceninja]

I'm x86 right now. I will be testing 64 bit later this month.

 

[dguy6789]

I will be purchasing Vista within the week. I would love to get the 64 bit version just so that I would have the support for when it is necessary, but the following article has me leaning towards the x86 version.

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2917&p=16

 

[Mem]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
I will be purchasing Vista within the week. I would love to get the 64 bit version just so that I would have the support for when it is necessary, but the following article has me leaning towards the x86 version.

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=2917&p=16

I read that yesterday,however my Vista x64 is working great so not worried at all.

 

[Brian48]

Other than FarCry and UT2004, I really don't have any applications that run natively in a 64bit environment so I'm sticking with 32bit for the time being.

 

[mechBgon]

I'll be using x64. It has additional security goodies. I could see lack of drivers as an issue for some, but my rig doesn't have anything that's going to pose a problem.

 

[FireChicken]

Whic version will be better for DX10 games when they arrive???

 

[Cogman]

I believe that this will be the beginning of mass 64bit support, but being the beginning it is going to be pretty lame to use for quite a while. I would not get it just yet. Though, I think it is a tempting purchase. 32bit will be for me.

 

[AdamK47]

I have 64-bit Vista. I have a fairly large collection of games. The people who are saying that x64 has major compatibility issues that need to be worked out dont have a clue. It's more FUD that's seeping it's way though these forums. The fact is I've been able to get 99% of these games installed and working. The only major problems I've had was with installers. That was only with the 7+ year old games. I was able to get around that by copying the game directory over from a backup I made before upgrading.

The bottom line is don't worry if you're a gamer and are worried about 64-bit compatibility. What runs on Vista x86 will run on Vista x64. The only problem is installing an old game that uses a 16-bit installer. I also wouldn't be worried about not having the latest and greatest leaked nVidia/Ati video driver. This isn't like Windows XP x64. So far when an x86 driver has been released, so has the x64 driver. Driver features, performance, and compatibility are nearly identical.

 

[Mem]

The people who are saying that x64 has major compatibility issues that need to be worked out dont have a clue. It's more FUD that's seeping it's way though these forums. The fact is I've been able to get 99% of these games installed and working. The only major problems I've had was with installers. That was only with the 7+ year old games.

I agree,the only reason old installers don't work is because those are the older 16 bit installers rather then the 32 bit installers,as you know x64 supports only 32 bit and 64 bit software.


Personally I say those that want to go x64 should check drivers and see if there is any x64 drivers missing that they absolutely need to run for their hardware,if not then no reason why they should not go x64.

 

[dguy6789]

After reading all of your responses, I think I will install the 64 bit version of Vista when I purchase the retail version. I was one of the first who jumped on the XP Pro x64 bandwagon and didn't like the compatibility problems. It looks like Vista x64 works just as well as Vista x86, so no reason not to get x64 it seems.

 

[510kut]

do you know how to check if you have 32 bit or 64 bit vista? I got the dvd from my school... and it didnt say anythign about 32 or 64 bit.

 

[dguy6789]

The retail discs come with both versions, while the OEM are separate. If you have OEM, I have no idea how to tell.

 

[gizbug]

How do you access 64 bit on retail? I just booted with it, and it installed 32

 

[AdamK47]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
The retail discs come with both versions, while the OEM are separate. If you have OEM, I have no idea how to tell.

Only Ultimate comes with both 32-bit and 64-bit DVDs. Home Basic, Home Premium, and Business retail versions come with only the 32-bit DVD. To get the 64-bit DVD you would have to order from Microsoft here.. If you bought Vista OEM then it should say what it is on the white OEM box. My version of Vista is Home Premium 64-bit OEM.

 

[srp49ers]

I just installed vista x64 earlier today, and I like what I see.

Everything works really well.

 

[adairusmc]

Running the 32bit version myself.

 

[Aberforth]

I have full retail version of Windows Vista Ultimate, I'm going to try x64 for 20 days before activating it - I'm 100% sure i don't have any driver problems, my only problem is Games- do they suck in x64- especially x32 games? I will have to find out