32 bit to 64 bit

[l3urton32]

Hey everybody. I respect a lot of the information I get from this site and have come to realize that a majority of posters posses information beyond a simple cell phone. So based on that I ask this: what are the real world differences of using a windows vista 64 bit machine as opposed to its 32 bit counterpart? I'm helping my brother buy a new laptop and he wants to go 64 bit. I have never really looked into it as everything I have ever needed was on my 32 bit machine. What im wondering is how it affects the simple programs on the machine...itunes, firefox, thunderbird, etc. All free programs. I know that most software has to be optimized or created for a 64 bit OS, but I also have the understanding that it will run 32 bit programs and plug ins. This also carries over to certain VPN clients and their compatibility with the machine as well. So basically, will having a 64 bit hinder him in anyways or is it something that should be ok, especially as the trend is to move towards these 64 bit systems?
I appreciate the help guys.
thanks,
AJ

[TheChampJT]

I just got my new HP yesterday which has x64, and I haven't seen a difference yet. The only thing that has happened was iTunes crashed twice in a row. But it has run perfect since then. As for getting it on a laptop, I don't think it would be such a good idea. A laptop, unless you spen a lot of money or build one, isn't as powerful as a desktop, and you may have problems. My Inspiron constantly crashes with x32.

[itoYo]

it all depends on the programms your gonna run! if its stuff like firefox and the other things you mention then there is no point going for 64bit systems as of yet!

unless your gonna do stuff like 'data mining' or the software is designed for 64bit CPUs. its do with the precision of represented floating point data, you might get cleverly programmed software that will run 2 32bit codes parralell on a 64bit processor (doubt it).

technically speaking a wider bus width means higher data throughput rates but like i said the sofware has to take advantage

i might be talking total crap tho!

[Confused Stu]

I've got a desktop PC running Vista64, and an HTPC running Vista32 (which I originally built to run Vista64). This is just my personal experiences!

The HTPC was rock solid on both Vista32 and Vista64. I was able to run every application I tried on both systems as 64 is able to run 32 processes and programs quite happily and with no noticable slow down. The only issue I had is that 64bit programs require 64bit plug-ins and codecs. In particular I was using Vista Media Centre 24/7 and this is a 64bit program, but most of the freeware plug-ins for it were written for Vista32 so didn't work. Also, Media Player is another 64bit program so most visualisations (designed for XP and Vista32) didn't work.

Since wiping the drive and reinstalling Vista32 all the plug-ins I wanted to use have worked. I find it annoying knowing that not all the 4Gb of RAM inside the PC is being used, but in reality I never notice the difference.

My gaming PC has been running Vista64 since I first built in December 07. I've never had an issue with it, I don't think I've ever seen a blue screen, and no program I've tried to install has refused. You have to make sure you select 64bit for your ATI drivers (and I guess nVidia too) and your codecs that you want to use with Media Player but beyond that day-to-day usage is no different.

From using the two, the only difference is one tops out at 3Gb usable RAM and one doesn't! Ask yourself if you are ever going to use more than 3Gb. On a laptop for light use, I'd say probably not. On a desktop PC for heavy gaming/applications I'd say it's something worth considering.

[Rudegar]

also old windows3.11 16bit programs will not run on 64bit os
they work on 32bit but doubt too many people use those anymore :)

[lennie]

also old windows3.11 16bit programs will not run on 64bit os
they work on 32bit but doubt too many people use those anymore :)

compatibility mode doesn't work? plus I was reading something the other day that said Microsoft released software that makes running older applications easier.


I would say go 64bit, the more people who uses 64bit is the faster the transition. and the faster we'll see mainstream computers with 16gb!