Windows Vista, 32 or 64 bit?

[MikeThorne]

Hi

I'm getting ready to get a new high performance computer.

I run every Adobe product from Illustrator and Photoshop to InDesign and Premiere.
In addition I fun some 3D animation software that pushes my computer to the wall.

I also run the latest 3D games from Age of Conan and The Witcher to Tomb Raider 8.

Which version of Vista should get 32 or 64 bit?

What are the ramifications of going either way?
Will I be able to run all my old software if I go with the 64 bit version?

I would like to run 6 gig of ram, is this relevant?

I really don't know how this affects things on my computer.

Mike

 

[linney]

6 gig of ram would only be used on a 64-bit machine, x86 is limited to 4GB.

The 64-bit will be able to run 32-bit (x86) applications (if they install OK) and read their files or other x86 files. You will have two Program Files folders, one for 64-bit applications, and one for x86 applications. Vista will install the programs into the appropriate folder. Similarly you will have two System folders, System32 and SysWOW64. All Windows Updates must be for the 64-bit operating system however.

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx

Applications that have earned the "Certified for Windows Vista" logo or the "Works with Windows Vista" logo

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305

See what's on offer here too.

List of 64bits application for window vista (x64)

http://groups.google.com/group/micr...pplication+list&rnum=2&hl=en#ec2de82391c4403e

 

[firewolfrl]

I use vista 64 bit and I will not go back to 32 bit
way more stable

 

[TonHu]

Afaik, the Adobe software is not (yet) adapted for making use of the extra RAM available on x64 of Windows, but the x64 version of Vista would make it way more comfortable running the programs side-by-side.

Can't confirm if x64 would be more stable than x86, as I've only run the x64 version here ;-) I did have issues running virusscanners on the x64 version, but switching from AVG to Avast finally solved that (though it appears AVG is stable now as well, since updating Vista to SP1).

The extra memory available on x64 is very helpfull though, but if you try to run any 16 bit software, avoid the x64 version.

HTH
TonHu

 

[manhunter2826]

Interesting. As an aside, is there any correlation between 32/64 bit versions of Vista and a dual-core/non dual-core processor; are there any concerns to be addressed; or are they two separate issues? Thanks.

 

[firewolfrl]

I was running a dual core cpu...now I am running a quad core and this is rock stable
and anything I can't run in vista 64 I run a virtual xp and that solves the issue.
you can load so much ram in your system running a virtual OS really does not slow the system down.

 

[Beowulf005]

I am currently running 64bit with a dual core. The only issue I have is when running dreamscene will get the blue screen everyday. But I think it has to do with the fact I am running two drive striped. Other then that runs without issue

When frustrated remember, in the computer world there is almost always a backdoor.