64bit Vista - Will all of my programs work?

[Shawn]

My new Core 2 Duo is supposed to come on Wed. and I still haven't decided whether I should reinstall my 32bit version of vista or install the 64bit version. Assuming I'm able to even find drivers for everything, will all of my 32bit programs work? What programs are available in 64bit and is there a significant increase in performance?

I have heard that the 64bit version shows an improvement in video decoding and such. I will be using this computer simultaneously as a Media Center PC hooked up to my HDTV as well as my main rig, so would it make sense to use the 64bit version?

 

[jedisponge]

I just installed the 64bit version of Ultimate, and for the most part I'm not having any problems. There have been one or two pieces of software that haven't been working, but again for the most part it's been good as many of the programs can be run in 32-bit mode. The programs that don't work seem to not work simply because it's vista. The programs that are actually working in vista work reguardless if it's 32-bit or 64-bit.

The only piece of software that I need is SonyEriccson's PC Software Suite for my phone, as I need it to charge (since my regular adapter died a day after I got the phone). But I have a backup xp so it's no problem.

However, I'm nowhere near the power user that some people are. For the most part I'm just sticking to games, web-browsing and watching movies. I don't do much in terms of decoding and all that heavy stuff.

 

[slirp]

I had some difficulty getting some stuff to work under 64bit. My VPN software and Nero would have been the most notable that wouldn't even install.

 

[Aberforth]

Is 2 GB RAM enough to run high-end 3D games in Vista x64? I'm thinking of upgrading my RAM