What are the differences between 32- and 64-bit Vista?

[I Am Herenow]

Edit

[Husar]

Erm, Vista 64 should run most 32bit applications. Medieval 2 and some other games run fine on mine.
I don't know about security, shouldn't that be similar?
Things that don't run include flash(no 64bit compatible version yet) and some java applications seem to cause problems(some self-programmed game which runs fine in XP). Most incompatibility I've come across was concerning hardware, but I didn't install that many programs yet.

[I Am Herenow]

But would you recommend 32- or 64-bit?

[Husar]

I just have 64 bit and don't know exactly what could be better in the 32bit version.
Theoretically at least the 64 bit should be faster, CPUs are 64bit for a while now anyway. You might want to check for driver availability though, some drivers are only compatible with 32bit, so these devices may not run on the 64 bit version.

[Sigurd]

Consider this:
Do you have a computer with a 64 bit processor? if not you probably have a 32 bit system.
It is logical to me to use the respective OS to the type of System you have i.e. a 64 bit OS in a 64 bit system.
In short:
If you have a 32 bit system (CPU is 32 bit) use Vista 32, if you have a 64 bit system (64 bit CPU) use the 64 bit Vista.

You should know that a fully operational 64 bit system needs 4GB of RAM (anything less and you are not using it to its full capacity).

[Husar]

You should know that a fully operational 64 bit system needs 4GB of RAM (anything less and you are not using it to its full capacity).

You work for that local hardware store, don't you?
So does it run faster on my 2Gb than a 32bit system or should I switch?

On your argument about where to use which version, running Vista on an old 32bit system does work, but I'd recommend keeping XP instead if a system is that old.

[Sigurd]

You work for that local hardware store, don't you?
So does it run faster on my 2Gb than a 32bit system or should I switch?

Do you have a 64 bit CPU ? if so use the 64 bit OS.

On your argument about where to use which version, running Vista on an old 32bit system does work, but I'd recommend keeping XP instead if a system is that old.

You know... XP comes in a 64 bit version too. I have seen it on the Microsoft CD's/DVD's since starting working for a Microsoft Partner company in 2004.

Bottom line is as I said: 64 bit OS on a 64 bit system (CPU) and 32 bit OS on a 32 bit system (CPU). You can't go wrong.

[sapi]

Well, you can actually

I'm running 32bit Vista precisely to avoid the driver and game compatibility problems (I know, it's hard to imagine worse support than for 32bit, but it's there)

For productivity I absolutely agree with you, though.

[Sigurd]

Well, you can actually

I'm running 32bit Vista precisely to avoid the driver and game compatibility problems (I know, it's hard to imagine worse support than for 32bit, but it's there)

For productivity I absolutely agree with you, though.

If you have 32 bit software and hardware and if you are a "tinker" there is no limit what you can do in a 64 bit evironment.
There are a lot of workarounds for this. Just scan the internet and you will find many "cookbooks" for this.

For everyday users that hardly knows what a driver is... go safe. Buy a 32 bit system. This way you can only use 32 bit software.
If you are a pro and want to have a serious system with more than 3 GB of RAM... 64 bit system is the way to go.

For the record... I personally have a 32 bit system and will not "upgrade" yet.
My next system will probably be a 64 bit system with at least 4 GB Ram.
At work we have 64bit servers... some even have quad core processors (cheaper OS license vs. several processors ) and lots of RAM.

[Husar]

I have a 64 bit CPU and the 64bit Vista.
And I thought about buying another 2GB of RAM because they're available for just 40EUR per 1GB. edit: 45 now, gotta be fast before they reach 80 or more. However my current mainboard can host only two sticks and the mainboard I want to upgrade to is still on hold(since January or so )

[Sigurd]

I have a 64 bit CPU and the 64bit Vista.
And I thought about buying another 2GB of RAM because they're available for just 40EUR per 1GB. edit: 45 now, gotta be fast before they reach 80 or more. However my current mainboard can host only two sticks and the mainboard I want to upgrade to is still on hold(since January or so )

Man... you have a 64bit system that only can hold 2 sticks of RAM ???

(Peace - Beirut)

[Husar]

Man... you have a 64bit system that only can hold 2 sticks of RAM ???

No, 4, two DDR and two DDR2...
And please don't shoot me, I couldn't afford a complete new system at the time...

(Edited quote - Beirut)

[Sigurd]

Yay... first time a moderator have edited my post...
I am such a bad boy!!

I am curious... was that a bad thing to say?
BTW: Me and Hus are buddies.

[Husar]

BTW: Me and Hus are buddies.

No.

Okay, we are, and I didn't take it personally anyway, but i think the edit was just because it's against the rules in general to ask for someone's death or so.
I learned that when I called a certain moderator an attention ***** in fun.

Now where did we stop? You wanted to send me a new NForce 6 board, didn't you?

[Rhyfelwyr]

Well, you can actually

I'm running 32bit Vista precisely to avoid the driver and game compatibility problems (I know, it's hard to imagine worse support than for 32bit, but it's there)

For productivity I absolutely agree with you, though.

Did 64-bit Vista cause you problems with M2TW? I get crashes with M2TW and Battle for Middle-Earth with the 64-bit version, and I have no idea what to do. I have updated the drivers, updated Vista, tried running games in the XP Compatability mode. But still I get these crashes on my brand new PC. Would a switch to 32-bit Vista solve my problems?

[Husar]

Did 64-bit Vista cause you problems with M2TW? I get crashes with M2TW and Battle for Middle-Earth with the 64-bit version, and I have no idea what to do. I have updated the drivers, updated Vista, tried running games in the XP Compatability mode. But still I get these crashes on my brand new PC. Would a switch to 32-bit Vista solve my problems?

I get a few crashes now and then as well, but usually the game runs without problems for hours. I probably said it before, but if you get crashes at the start of battle cutscenes, disable them in the preferences file and that fixes these.
Otherwise the game runs fine on my 64bit version and I would assume sapi didn't try the 64bit Vista, don't think he'd buy it twice, sounds like he went with 32bit right away while I did the exact opposite.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Mine crashes slightly more regularly than once every few hours. It really shouldn't do that anyway, it ruins big battles when you are in fear of the game crashing and wrecking all your progress. Nothing to do with cutscenes though. Do you get an error message when your game crashes, saying the game has stopped working properly or something along those lines?