64 or 32 bit?

[nvchad2]

I like to build computers as a hobby and have built a few, but I was wondering, if I buy a multi core processor, should I run a 64 bit system, or is 32 bit ok? I hate vista, and 64 bit is hard to find drivers for, but would running 32 bit take some of the advantage away from having multiple cores?

Thanks,
CHAD

 

[Shadow703793]

32 bit WILL NOT affect the advantage of a multi core, HOWEVER, 64 bit allows for more than 3.5GB RAM to be used, which can help 90% of the time. Have you tried Win 7 x64? Also have you tried Vista x64?

 

[nvchad2]

I have XP pro x64, and its hard to find drivers for. I've heard Vista is too. And I dont know much about Win 7. I just want to run a really decent computer for as little as possible, and im going to build one for my parents, so if the drivers are hard to find, ill never get away from them.

 

[nh484000]

Any current hardware will have 64 bit drivers. Its more or less a thing of the past unless the hardware is 3+ years old.

 

[orangegator]

Nah, Vista x64 now has pretty good driver support, unlike XP x64. If you have a choice, go with x64.

 

[nvchad2]

well ive had problems with our wireless routers and such that the manufacturer no longer supports and dont provide 64 bit drivers. That would mean completely reworking our network and I dont want to buy more than i have to.

 

[orangegator]

well ive had problems with our wireless routers and such that the manufacturer no longer supports and dont provide 64 bit drivers. That would mean completely reworking our network and I dont want to buy more than i have to.

If you know for a fact that there aren't drivers available for for hardware you use, then what's the point of even asking?

 

[Shadow703793]

WiFi drivers are the problem. My printers,etc EXCEPT WiFi have XP x64 and Vista x64 drivers. My solution for this was getting a router that has XP x64 and Vista x64 drivers.

 

[nvchad2]

So in other words unless I want to replace all our extra hardware, I will need to stick with 32. Sounds fine. My parents dont exactly need 3.5GB of RAM anyway. AS long as the multi core will still work, I'm fine with that.

Thanks guys,
CHAD