Vista and x64 Question

[Ty909]

Okay, so if I purchase a AMD Athlon 64 x2 CPU, do I need the 64bit version of Windows Vista? I am looking for best performance. Right now I am running the 32 bit version of Vista, but would the 64 bit work with my CPU?

[BOB IROC]

Your Athlon 64 X2 will run Vista64 just fine. I am pretty sure that Vista 64 has built in support for most 32bit applications. You just need 64bit drivers (so you may want to see if all your devices have 64bit drivers first) and a 64bit antivirus.

[CCT]

While unable to answer your question specifically, I can offer this site as a very thorough review of what is what Intel versus AMD using Vista in general:

http://techreport.com/reviews/2007q1...0/index.x?pg=1

[Ferrit]

As Bob Iroc has said, check to see that you can obtain the 64 bit drivers needed for all of your hardware.
As to a comparison of intel and amd running vista, that doesnt seem too pertinent to the question

This site may answer your questions somewhat better
http://64-bit-computers.com/windows-...benchmark.html

[emr]

You can run 32 or 64 on a 64-bit processor, they are backwards compatible. 64-bit OS should give you better performance however.

You can't run 64-bit OS on a 32-bit processor.

emr

[rgharper]

The 64-bit version will work with your processor but you will likely see little to no benefit from running the 64-bit version and probably a great deal of difficulty in doing so.

Unless you are running 64-bit software (and there's almost none that is 64-bit, no home software or games come in 64-bit flavors) or need to run more than 4gb of memory, the 64-bit version offers you no advantage.

In addition, most computer and peripheral manufacturers are still behind the 8-ball on getting 64-bit drivers out there so it's quite likely that some or most of the devices in your computer will not work correctly unless you can get 64-bit drivers for everything.

In short, I say stay with the 32-bit version. You'll be much happier and more productive.

[CCT]

Some reference material:

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/driver...t_chklist.mspx

http://www.devx.com/amd/Article/20342

http://www.cnet.com.au/software/oper...0063161,00.htm

http://apcmag.com/3112/microsoft_cut...bit_vista_goes

[Ferrit]

If you can find the drivers for 64 bit.
I can say after running xppro 64 bit for 6 months.
I believe it was faster and more stable in fact.
As to exactly how much i cant say.
I had no issues to speak of with it other then camera drivers were non existent.

[slgrieb]

I guess I find myself more in the RG camp. I've run XP64, but didn't see a performance difference in the software I use. 64 bit drivers for Vista certainly are an issue, as is the additional memory required.

I would probably feel different if vendors were rushing tons of 64 bit apps to market, but it just isn't happening. The majority of 64 bit software are specialized engineering and scientific applications.

[jitBob]

There are games and software for a 64 bit system out there. Far Cry and SolidWorks are two that come readilly to mind. Other than drivers possibly being an issue, and that is improving every day, there really isn't a reason not to do 64 bit. The OS runs faster and 64 bit is the way software is going to go.

[Ty909]

I already have the 32bit version installed. I think I will resize my partition and install the Vista 64bit version and run it in trial mode on a spare partition. Running it side by side will allow me to delete one of the partitions later. I enjoy toying with things like this, so I guess its neither good or bad. I have 3GB of RAM (hoping thats enough for Vista x64).

Thanks...

[Ferrit]

More then enuff and thats a very smart choice.
One I used for a long time.
I had 32 bit for about 3 of the 6 months befoire finally removeing it and going 64 bit full time.