windows vista 32bit, 64bit??????????

[Finrir]

well i thought i knew everything but i guess not. i've got almost all of my computer picked out and now i'm looking at operating systems. i was on newegg and i see there's the 32 bit windows vista and the 64 bit windows vista. what's the difference?
i also see dramatic price differences. example: windows vista 64 bit home premium for system builders 3 pack DVD is $314. then there's the same thing expect 32 bit and 1 DVD for $111.
then i see a vista user license for $209
lastly i see, which is what i think i need, windows vista 64 bit home premium for system builders single pack DVD for $114
what's all this about? which one do i need?

[Jokerswild]

The vista 3 pack for over $300.00 is for 3 vista OS's.
The last one is a single vista 64 bit OS.
Hard to say which one you can use since you don't have your system specs in your signature, is your processor 64 bit? if so you can use the vista 64 bit, if not then the 32 bit is the one you need.

[Stormcrow]

As Joker said, the three pack gives you three licenses and is good if your building a few computers for clients. You want the OEM Special, or the Single DVD for Home Premium for around 120. Based on your system specs in other threads, your Core2 will be able to run 32-bit and 64-bit. Theres a lot of changes between the two, but theres only two things that really concern you.

1. 32-bit is limited to around 3.5 gigs of memory, if you add in any more the system just won't be able to use it. It doesn't recognize it and will only use up to that 3.5-4gb limit. Of course this wasn't a problem back when 64mbs of RAM was top dog, but with things as they are now with 2 gig recommendations 32-bit is going to phase out when 4gigs and higher become standard. 64-bit, however, can run up to 16eb (thats Exabytes, or 1 million Terabytes/1000 Petabytes). Since we won't see such colossal memory capacities for quite some time, the average 64-bit processor has a cap on 16gigs.

2. With Vista, while you can get up to 16 gigs with 64-bit, your limited right now as far as functionality. Because a majority of 32-bits applications still have 16-bit "leftovers", mostly in installers, it causes a 64-bit OS to go all wonky and crap out. So Microsoft has developed 64-bit Vista to only accept and install/run programs with certified signed drivers stating their 64-bit friendly. This limits alot of third party small time programs you might use, and while theres ways around it, it's a pain.

If that bored you, in short it means 32-bit you're limited to 3-4 gigs of memory but much better support and control, while 64-bit you're "future proof" with support up to 16gigs and the eventual permanent shift to 64-bit but have shoddy support right now (using Vista anyway, Linux and I think Mac are much more open). Right now I say go with 32-bit Vista with 2 gigs, drop in 2 gigs later, and by the time you really need a 64-bit OS something else prettier, buggier and more expensive will be out. Look up 64-bit in good ol' Wikipedia for more info if you feel technical.

[Finrir]

ok i see, but is the 64 bit faster than the 32 bit if they both have the same specs?

[Elysium]

I'd get 32-bit Home Premium version of Vista personally.

[Computer-Ed]

Originally Posted by Finrir

ok i see, but is the 64 bit faster than the 32 bit if they both have the same specs?

In theory I guess it should be, however in practice no..

[Stormcrow]

Originally Posted by Finrir

ok i see, but is the 64 bit faster than the 32 bit if they both have the same specs?

Nope, currently the only reason to get a 64-bit OS is to have more memory. Get the 32-bit version, at least for maybe a year or two until the situation with driver signing for the 64-bit is better.

[Elysium]

Much more apps are compatible with 32-bit. There are only a handful of apps that are designed for 64-bit.

[Jokerswild]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

Much more apps are compatible with 32-bit. There are only a handful of apps that are designed for 64-bit.

The 64 bit vista has a program folder thats X86 for 32 bit software. I haven't noticed any difference between the 64 bit and 32 bit versions compatibility as far as games and software.

[Elysium]

Originally Posted by Jokerswild

The 64 bit vista has a program folder thats X86 for 32 bit software. I haven't noticed any difference between the 64 bit and 32 bit versions compatibility as far as games and software.

Then why are there not more people using 64-bit? I though the main reason 64-bit is not more popular is bacause apps were not compatible? What is the downside of a 64-bit OS?