VISTA - 64Bit or 32Bit?

Greg · 10 Feb 2007 at 13:06

Ok, I've got a retail copy of Vista ultimate. I have an AMD Athlon 64Bit 3200 CPU. Is it worth installing the 64bit OS or sticking with the 32 bit one? I've just installed the 32 bit one and its great. any ideas?

thanks

greg

::: CooliceT :: · 10 Feb 2007 at 13:13

i dont think your cpu is a AMD X2

if you had a duel core then yes, go for 64bit. i know i want too some point.
i probably wait for a month or two so drives and updates come out, then i will upgrade.

NathanE · 10 Feb 2007 at 13:42

I don't see how the number of cores your CPU has should affect this decision.

64-bit is a longer term commitment. It could cause you some aggro for the first few months (due to drivers) but it will pay off by the summer.

32-bit will possibly give you a better out-of-the-box experience but you'll wish you hadn't chose it by Q3/Q4.

celliott · 10 Feb 2007 at 13:46

Is performance between 32 and 64 bit noticable then?

Also do you know what games currently run under 64? Thats the only thing stopping me from upgrading at the moment. Must be able to run CSS, BF2 etc.

NathanE · 10 Feb 2007 at 13:53

The performance difference is quite substantial however it is barely visible at the moment with today's software.

It will certainly be interesting watching people's reactions here when they see a 32 vs 64-bit benchmark comparison with a game like, let's say, "Crysis"

Greg · 10 Feb 2007 at 17:47

Ok chaps, I plan to do a format by the summer, so i'll stick with this 32bit version at the moment.

many thanks

Greg

modo77 · 10 Feb 2007 at 18:09

celliott said:
Also do you know what games currently run under 64? Thats the only thing stopping me from upgrading at the moment. Must be able to run CSS, BF2 etc.

Everything runs in it. Well that I've tried anyway.

CSS and BF2 are fine.

Vtec9k · 10 Feb 2007 at 18:57

Just built my new Pc this morning and stuck Vista 64 on it. All looks like it's running great, have tried BF2142, Oblivion and EVE so far.

Elevon · 10 Feb 2007 at 21:23

NathanE said:
I don't see how the number of cores your CPU has should affect this decision.

64-bit is a longer term commitment. It could cause you some aggro for the first few months (due to drivers) but it will pay off by the summer.

32-bit will possibly give you a better out-of-the-box experience but you'll wish you hadn't chose it by Q3/Q4.

I'm using Vista x64,driver support is good as 32 bit version,infact only driver I can't find is also not available in Vista x68 version(Leadtek usb dtv tuner),all my games run fine under X64,these include Steam games ie CS,TFC etc...Vanguard,UFO-Afterlight,Morrowind and all expansion packs to name but a few.

All my 32bit software works fine too, there's really no reason to go to 32 bit version unless you have a lot of bad driver support.