[justbilly]

So here is the deal. Back in April i had to but a new computer, and with the anticipation of Vista, i decided to go with something 64Bit. So i ended up buying an HP dv5139us. (AMD Turion 64, 2GB ram, 120GB HD, ATI Radeon Mobility 200M, etc.) When i got it home, i quickly installed XP PRO x64. It seemed great, except drivers and software were scarce. So eventually after being unable to install my Conexant sound card, i uninstalled it, and reinstalled the x86 version. Now with Vista being available in both x86 and x64 versions, i am torn. And partly because of ignorance, so i knew right away where to come. Here are my questions, and i suspect other newbies are wondering the same thing:

1.) What is the benefit of an x64(64-bit) operation system? Specifically in terms of the difference between Vista x86 and Vista x64.

2.) Will a x64 OS increase system speed, i.e, start-up and shut down times? Program start up times ?

3.) Can you run x86 software on Vista x64, or do you need specific x64 software versions ?

4.) Are software and drivers readily available, i.e (Office 2007) etc.

5.) What is the general opinion out there, is it worth installing the x64 version if you have a 64-bit processor ?

[Us3My3rdArm]

Ive been running x64 Vista since it RTM'd, as my only OS.
Its runs great on my computer, but yeh, theres issues with some games and drivers, and in rare cases, programs as well.
However I haven't been able to pinpoint whether its the 64 or the vista causing most problems that aren't driver related

I'm only waiting for the final Vista driver from Nvidia, which should fix my game problems etc.. Then ill have a fully working OS!


So yeah, id recommend it if your willing to hang around waiting for support from certain drivers and games...
Oh, and the fact that Vista RTM will expire after 30 days

This post has been edited by Us3My3rdArm: 04 December 2006 - 07:36 PM

[icaras]

I say yes you certainly should run x64 vista!
why would you buy a 64-bit processor and then not use it to its full capability?
plus don't forget all the x64-only security features in vista such as patchguard.

[justbilly]

actually, i was unaware of any x64 only security features??? more info please ? What is patchguard?

[Subject Delta]

Patchguard is what prevents applications and drivers gaining low level access to the kernel.

You should have waited to buy a Vista ready laptop

[justbilly]

my comp. is Vista compatabile :-)

[chrialex]

personally I see no GREAT reason to go 64, maybe later on after vista is more functional, i.e. sp1, but not now. I may be wrong, but the only upside is patchguard and like programs that require it, but like I said, I wouldnt spend the money now for something that wont work to its fullest potential for a while, at least.
Anyone please feel free to inform me of any benefits of it that I missed, always looking to learn more...

[Ben.]

justbilly, on Dec 4 2006, 11:55 PM, said:

1.) What is the benefit of an x64(64-bit) operation system? Specifically in terms of the difference between Vista x86 and Vista x64.

2.) Will a x64 OS increase system speed, i.e, start-up and shut down times? Program start up times ?

3.) Can you run x86 software on Vista x64, or do you need specific x64 software versions ?

4.) Are software and drivers readily available, i.e (Office 2007) etc.

5.) What is the general opinion out there, is it worth installing the x64 version if you have a 64-bit processor ?

1) You can address far more memory (2^64)
2) Not by any noticeable margin.
3) Depends. Some software does require you use the x64 version (eg, Diskeeper)
4) Yes
5) Can't hurt, just have the x86 on standby.

[Subject Delta]

chrialex, on Dec 5 2006, 04:39 AM, said:

personally I see no GREAT reason to go 64, maybe later on after vista is more functional, i.e. sp1, but not now. I may be wrong, but the only upside is patchguard and like programs that require it, but like I said, I wouldnt spend the money now for something that wont work to its fullest potential for a while, at least.
Anyone please feel free to inform me of any benefits of it that I missed, always looking to learn more...

In general terms the memory management in X64 is better, and it helps with gaming, even X86 game engines can be partially smoother, and X64 game engines tend to be a whole lot smoother. If you have the drivers, X64 can be a bonus for gamers. Another point to note is that in general terms X64 tends to be a bit more stable and responsive.

[chrialex]

hmm, good points, but I still think I am going to wait, my systems run fine right now. When I upgrade my desktop I "might" go 64, but it depends on how far along everything has progressed by then. It will probably be a year or so anyway before I will worry about processors, my main issues for upgrading are ram and video card. IMHO my desktop is pretty good, considering my desktop is 1-2 years old. My laptop is only 5 months old so Im not worried about anything with that right now, it runs vista ue just fine. As far as my other desktop and laptops, I want to keep them how they are, nice and old. It helps for my job to have various platforms to work on.

[cybertimber2009]

Heres what I think... if you're buying it in the store, you get both the x86 and x64 versions in the box, so try x64. If you don't activate it (30 day trial basically) you can find which of your drivers you don't have and what programs you need that don't work. If all is fine and dandy, stick with x64.

[chrialex]

didnt think of that, maybe I will try that

[cybertimber2009]

I haven't personally tried the Vista RTM's (I don't even know if there is a x64 version out) but I know for XP x64 there was a lot of drivers I didn't expect to be included, incluiding a driver that covered basic printing to nearly ALL HP Printers. The only one I was missing (even had sound) was one for my Adaptec SATA card and they refuse to make one.

If I find a Vista x64 RTM I'll try it this weekend and tell you how things go.

[Subject Delta]

There is both an X64 and X86 RTM... and driver support in the X64 is good its a fair chunk larger than the X86 build

[Ben.]

Yeh Vista x86 and x64 support all my hardware reasonably well.

Everything works, but I need ATI drivers to get my true resolution, and my audio drivers keep disabling SP-DIF, which is really annoying.

[Subject Delta]

I get everything except decent performing AGP drivers, and SATA (which work anyway from the manufacturer, and audio which i get from WU). thanks to corporate greed, nVidia brought my chipset maker and seem to be slow on releasing new drivers for them

[The Joker]

The only drivers i need are the nVidia and Creative drivers. Both of them have Beta drivers which work just fine right now but they both expire in Jan so i want updated ones.