Vista x86 or x64

[Guest]

What version of vista do you think will be more sensible to buy when it's
released?

32 bit, although popular, seem to be slowly fading away to make way for 64.
However, with most newish chips being of the 64bit range, do you think there
will be any point going for the 32bit version of vista?

I know if you don't want to upgrade your hardware just to run it, it will
probably make sense. However, it will be an expensive option, to waste money
on a product that won't see much use in the future.

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Ian,

The biggest consideration is what peripherals you want to run and do they
have 64-bit drivers available. The lack of drivers for add-on hardware is
the chief reason many stick with the 32-bit version. A secondary
consideration is 16-bit applications. While a 64-bit system will run 32-bit
software, you cannot use 32-bit device drivers, nor can it run 16-bit
applications. What it boils down to is how you intend to use the system.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[John Barnes]

Including the many 32-bit programs that still retained the older 16-bit
installers, won't install even though they might run.

 

[newsgroups]

Hmmm, it's hard to say.

The problem with XP 64 is that not all the drivers in the world are
out for it like they are for 32 bit.

But then again with Vista... it's new so manufacturers might make
drivers for 64 and 32 at the same time... bit silly if they don't.

I think it's up to you really as I'm guessing most manufacturers
will make 32 bit and 64 bit drivers at the same time.

- Craig.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

It entirely depends on what classes of software you plan to run and how many
of your older peripherals will not have x64 drivers.

 

[Mario Rosario]

Currently there is not that many programs that can take advantage of the
64-bit architecture. Maybe some very large database server or custom
written scientific floating point calculation programs.

Read http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/overview.mspx &
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/facts/benefit.mspx

I think the biggest problem today is to get driver support for the 64-bit
architecture.