Vista or XP pro in 64 bit?

[Claki]

Im looking to upgrade from xp home to a 64 bit os but im not quite sure what doing this involves, do i need to have a 64 bit processor?

[qazwsx]

yes, you need a 64 bit CPU then you can install it just like any other OS. And unless this is for a different rig, your AMD Athlon X2 is fine for a 64 bit OS

[Claki]

yeah but i want to upgrade everything but i know now it has to be 64 bit proc. do i need 64 bit vista to run 4gb ram or just 32 bit?

[qazwsx]

Originally Posted by Claki

yeah but i want to upgrade everything but i know now it has to be 64 bit proc. do i need 64 bit vista to run 4gb ram or just 32 bit?

You can run 4gb of RAM in a 32bit OS but windows will only recognize about 3.25gb. To use the full 4gb you will need a 64bit OS

[screwballl]

Windows 32-bit is limited to just under 4GB of RAM... both Vista and XP 64-bit can use the full 4GB and more although results have been hit and miss with XP64.
Another bit of information: 32-bit Linux with the 2.4.x or higher kernel can see up to 64GB with some minor tweaks and the PAE extension. To go over this limit in linux without tweaks, you need 64 bit...

[azianai]

vista vista vista!
nah xp 64 is very buggy with some spotty drivers imo

[Capper]

Vista 64 bit is the way to go.
As to memory, 32bit OS' can only address 4 GB total, and that includes virtual addresses for everything (HDD, USB devices, etc). I believe every processor made for the last 2+ years is 64 bit capable, so theres no issue there. As to memory, theres really no need for anything over 4GB, and most everything only needs 2GB.......but pretty much every current chipset supports 8GB total, some more than that.

Without getting too deep into this, because it could be a 100 page book......any processor you'd be upgrading to will be 64bit, and I'd recommend 64 bit Vista with 4GB of RAM.

[screwballl]

Originally Posted by Capper

Vista 64 bit is the way to go.
As to memory, 32bit OS' can only address 4 GB total, and that includes virtual addresses for everything (HDD, USB devices, etc). I believe every processor made for the last 2+ years is 64 bit capable, so theres no issue there. As to memory, theres really no need for anything over 4GB, and most everything only needs 2GB.......but pretty much every current chipset supports 8GB total, some more than that.

Without getting too deep into this, because it could be a 100 page book......any processor you'd be upgrading to will be 64bit, and I'd recommend 64 bit Vista with 4GB of RAM.

agreed about the 64-bit for Windows

As for the 32-bit limitation, i386 linux can be modified with PAE to allow up to 64GB of RAM. I was actually writing up a new blog with the information about this as you posted that. As we are speaking windows only, then yes any 32bit windows is limited to 4GB RAM.

[Claki]

ok. so i think its 64 bit vista for me then. cheers for your input guys.