Pros vs. Cons Windows Vista 32bit vs. 64bit

I am preparing to build my first system from scratch, I have done upgrades to
mfg built systems, and have gotten good results. i have even dabbled with
Win XP 64bit but had a few compatability issues.
I hear that Vista 64bit is much better than XP64 was, and has the benefit of
allowing the system to utilize more ram, but I would like some opinions on
which way would be best. I have used Vista Ultimate 32 almost since it's
release, on a prebuilt, upgraded machine, without any problem other than
being able to find the correct motherboard id for my system to update the
bios so that I can use the Bit Locker feature. Thanks for your posts

 

There's really no way to answer this. "Best" depends on your ability to do
your homework (making sure there are drivers for all your hardware), your
need for RAM, your programs, etc. Most of us here have been using and loving
64bit Windows for quite a while. But we're also the kinds of users who
choose our hardware carefully, knowing we're likely to be on the front edge.
I run 64 bit because I need the RAM to run my VMs - my 4 main machines go
from a 2 GB laptop that only runs 64bit Vista because I want to, up to a 16
gb Server 2008 box running 8 - 12 VMs on it.

Vista 64bit has somewhat better driver support, but it's still an
environment where you need to do your homework and choose components
carefully. But if you need >3GB of RAM, you really don't have a choice.

 

I have had windows vista home premium 64 bit for almost 6 months now, and
overall, I really like it. If you get it, make sure to read the sections
here about adding more than 3gb ram. You have to install the 2gb first,
install windows vista, then use the windows vista64bit memory patch from
microsofts website, and then install the last 2gb (or more if you are
installing more than 4gb of ram).

Keep in mind that some of your older hardware, such as printers, may not
work with vista64bit. I recommend that you go, and figure out what hardware
you are going to transfer to the new pc. After that, go to the
manufacturer's websites, and research each component and see if there is any
64bit drivers available, and see if there is in fact anything that that
manufacturer hasnt enabled in the new 64bit drivers. For example, HP didnt
update the scanner drivers on my printer/scanner, so it only prints now. I
have to purchase a new Printer to get the 64bit drivers to work 100%.

Do the same thing for your programs. For example, some antivirus programs,
may not work without you buying a new 2008 version.

Hope that this helps...