Vista 64? come on... is it really something to consider?!

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I am building my computer Friday, and because I'm buying the OEM version of vista I have to choose... 32 or 64 bits?
But from what I understood, the 64 bit version is only good to address more than 4 GB of memory (2 GB on app). I am buying 2 GB of memory with the option to upgrade to 4 somewhere down the life expectancy of my new pc. Why would I want to get myself in trouble with 64bits if I will not conceivably use more than 4 GB of memory??
And please don’t say it’s the future, the future is a new pc in 3/4/5 years time. And the argument of helping the industry move to 64 bits... really, be serious, we will move to 64 bits when it is inevitable, 4 years from now the memory requirements will be much greater, and its not by putting 16gb of ram, on my then 4 years old computer, that I am going to avoid having to buy a new one.
(The security factor is the only argument I can think of being valid, but for me it is not enough to offset the hassle).
Prove me wrong, because I am tired of picking my brains in an agonizing choice that's really not worth it.
 
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well if your going OEM the you might as well just get 32 bit as you wont be able to upgrade much anyways. ride it till your system is outdated and then dump it to someone else and rebuild with a 64 bit one.
 
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First off you can order the 32 bit oem dvd, then order the 64 bit dvd from microsoft for 7.99 shipping only. Your oem key code will work with the 32 bit and the 64 bit vista. So try both the 32 bit and the 64 bit and see which one you like best.

As for getting the oem version and not being able to update your hardware is completely incorrect. When you replace your hardware you will have to reactivate windows by using the phone activation. This is very simple and takes no time at all.
 
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First off you can order the 32 bit oem dvd, then order the 64 bit dvd from microsoft for 7.99 shipping only. Your oem key code will work with the 32 bit and the 64 bit vista. So try both the 32 bit and the 64 bit and see which one you like best.
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Are you sure about this? Is there someone that actually tried this? I have chosen to get the 32 OEM Ultimate, and while I don't see me needing more than 4gb RAM during the lifetime of this PC, I would like to get the most out of my Vista license, so if they allow me to order a 64bit DVD for small change, I probably will. Thing is, I have heard stories on the MS support forums that an OEM key from a 32bit package will NOT work for a 64bit install (as it would defeat the whole purpose of OEM licensing).

I can get 2 OEM's (32+64) for less than the price of 1 retail box, so it may not be that big of a deal, but if I can avoid having to buy a new license when getting more RAM, I will...
 
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First off you can order the 32 bit oem dvd, then order the 64 bit dvd from microsoft for 7.99 shipping only. Your oem key code will work with the 32 bit and the 64 bit vista. So try both the 32 bit and the 64 bit and see which one you like best.

As for getting the oem version and not being able to update your hardware is completely incorrect. When you replace your hardware you will have to reactivate windows by using the phone activation. This is very simple and takes no time at all.
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Where are you getting this information? Provide a link the Microsoft page where you can order the 64-bit media for 7.99. I don't see one, and I see nothing in the OEM license that leads me to believe they are interchangle.
 
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Nevermind... This is just misinformation. I just tried ordering the media using the product key from an OEM 32-bit edition and the order can't be processed. It is rejected with the error: "No Offer Found".

Lies/talking-out-as*... thx.
 
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I dont think the 64 bit support is good enough, judging by XP it might ta a while. Soemhting to keep in mind is that with 4 gb you will see ~3gig because of memory adressing issues.

I say save yourself the hassle and go 32, 2gig should be enough for 2 years or so
 
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I dont think the 64 bit support is good enough, judging by XP it might ta a while. Soemhting to keep in mind is that with 4 gb you will see ~3gig because of memory adressing issues.
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The memory issues I read about (with XP) have to do with MS deciding to limit the size of some table in the kernel that would need to be a lot larger to address 4G. So, they require you to put a switch in the boot.ini file to allow up to 3G, and it only works with applications that have a certain capability set to access that memnory.

So, Vista has the same thing? It looks like MS is doing this with the 32bit versions expecting people who use that version to only go with 2G RAM.

The 64bit versions of XP and Vista are meant for real power users that intend to open more than one memory hungry app at a time, like someone who has Photoshop open to work on several large images at a time while editing video in another app. The 64bit version is total overkill for most people, even if they consider themselves to be power users. It won't help with games at all, since game developers will code their game's memory managers to work with the 32bit version. Far Cry is an exception, and maybe they will also release a 64bit version of Flight Sim X along with DX10 support.
 
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Hi guys,

So, if I don't plan on installing more than 4 GB or RAM (have 2 GB right now using 2 of 4 slots) for the life of this machine, would you guys not recommend installing Vista x64 and just going with the x86 version.

Are the performance increases that neglible?

Thanks in advance guys...
 
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Hi guys,

So, if I don't plan on installing more than 4 GB or RAM (have 2 GB right now using 2 of 4 slots) for the life of this machine, would you guys not recommend installing Vista x64 and just going with the x86 version.

Are the performance increases that neglible?

Thanks in advance guys...
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The 4GB has to include Video Ram as well, so if you are running 2 8800gtx in SLI you can already subtract 1.5 gb from the maximum ram you can use...But really, if you know you never gonna use more than say 3-3,5GB ram, I would install the x86 version, since it seems to have a lot less issues.
 
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Currently, I am not running a SLI video card. I'm going to struggle by with my current X600 until the midrange DX10 cards make their appearance.

So would that mean 32-bit is definitely the way to go?

In the future, I can always "upgrade"...

Thanks,

Stone9
 
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Currently, I am not running a SLI video card. I'm going to struggle by with my current X600 until the midrange DX10 cards make their appearance.

So would that mean 32-bit is definitely the way to go?

In the future, I can always "upgrade"...

Thanks,

Stone9
Click to expand...

If you're going Upgrade or Retail, it isn't a problem because your key should work in both 32 and 64 version, but if you want to go OEM, you have to make a choice. I chose 32bit, since I ran xp64 on my previous PC and it didn't improve anything (plus a lot of driver took ages, were of lesser quality or simply never came at all) in terms of performance. I figure, if the time comes and I need Vista64, I can always get another OEM, and move this version to my old PC (in the hope they will let me activate it). For a current PC (or 1 or 2 years old) there really is no reason whatsoever to go 64, but maybe a year from now, when buying a new PC, it is the only good choice (in which case you will have to buy another OEM anyway). I think (after testing Vista 64 in beta2, RC1 and RC2) Vista 64 is still more trouble than it's worth...
 
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Actually, I have an MSDN account, so I can easily get both versions (full version, not upgrade). I have no problem starting fresh in a year or two when those two sticks of 2GB ram come down in price to what two sticks of 1GB cost today... which will make 64-bit worth it right?

While x64 XP didn't have marked performance increases, you would notice it if you needed a massive amount of RAM for database tasks and video/picture editing. However, I don't anyone that has a db that big on their home machine!

According to a link in this forum though, there was a 10% increase in performance for x64 vs. x86 Vista...

Is it worth the pains I've already experienced trying to get a good antivirus/firewall and getting good support for 64bit SQL Server 2005... not yet...

Also, all 32-bit apps get installed in a seperate Program Files directory called Program Files (x86). You get two versions of IE, 32 and 64 bit. But there is no flash available for x64 IE, so that nixes a lot of websites :)
 
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Dont rule out having 4 GB in the life of any newly built computer- if prices drop to levels seen even this time last year- 110 for 2 GB then 4 GB will quickly become the norm for gamers and power users.

I have had 64 bit running since launch and works pretty good- I dont know if its better or faster or anything but it is the future and I like the challenge of finding the right drivers and such- but thats just me and others might not like the hassle
 
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