32Bit or 64Bit?

Hi, i have a question that is giving me headache.

I am about to order my Windows Vista Express upgrade tommorrow, but they gave me two choices

-Vista Business 32bit
-Vista Business 64bit

Which version should i order? I am leaning towards the 64bit, but i am worried about the drivers. (Software wont be a problem as i can fall back on my preinstalled XP) and it has a speed improvment (i used XP x64 before). But then the 32bit has the proven drivers and legendary stability. Help!


I am interested in th x64 platform is because of a couple of software, especially PCSX2, a PS2 emulator which i use to play PS2 games while im away from home.

 

Unless you’re planning on using 4 gig of ram go with 32bit as drivers seem readily available, and the 64 bit seem slower in development than the 32bit drivers from what I have seen.

 

No not really. I'm not planning for a 4GB ram, but i have seen speed improvements in various apps that i used. So for the Asus A8Jp for example, is there a possibiltiy of running the x64 Vista? or should i just fall back on the 32 bit one? 64bit is fatster then 32bits - benchmark from 64-bitcomputer.com

 

Because the lack of drivers for 64bit, and the fact its quite useless at the time being, 32bit is a better option. However, down the line, the 64bit may come in handy. However, when that time comes around, it may be in a few years.

 

But if i get an x64 upgrade media disk, can i use it on a 32bit full install, then upgrade loophole? i have a 32 bit Vista from my friend, and had use it on a trial run a week ago.

And lets say if i really go with the x64 route. Will there be ATi X1700 drivers and Realtek sound drivers? those two are very important. T-T

 

you can always download or purchase a 64bit disk and use your product key. It works for both versions but you do have to format before you convert

 

Oh i see. Thank you. But still, should i use the 32 bit or 64 bit?

Using the full media disc to do an upgrade is can?

 

Who says you need 4 GB of RAM to use the 64-bit version? If I remember correctly, the 64-bit version will recognize more RAM than the 32-bit version but the 64-bit version doesn't require 4 GB RAM to function properly. I am running the 64-bit version on an A8Js with 2 GB RAM and it works perfectly.

As far as drivers are concerned, everything on my laptop is functional with either Microsoft drivers or drivers from the manufacturer. Realtek doesn't make 64-bit drivers for my laptop but Microsoft has 64-bit drivers that are supplied in the Vista disk that work just fine. And as far as speed is concerned, it's just as fast, or faster, than the 32-bit version.

 

so if i have a friends vista install disc... i can use my product key for my home premium 32 bit to install home premium 64 bit?

 

man the server seems really slow right now. anyways, let me clarify a few things:
1) Vista support is fairly good with ASUS notebooks. Specifically the VBI notebooks, but those can be extended to non-VBI by going to Intel to download 64 bit drivers. Utilities such as power4gear and atk0100 can be found for 64 bit vista. these are good for all recent asus laptops. The worst you'll have is that your webcam won't work (I can't get mine to work in xp x64)
2) PCSX2 is not 64 bit yet. Current version =0.9.2, next version with no ETA is 0.9.3 with 64 bit. That said, getting an OS because of one program doesn't seem very logical to me.
3)

seeing as there are now, yes there will be (with driver development also taking place)
4) The Geekbench benchmark shown doesn't mean real-world gain in performance. First 99.8 vs. 110.7 in their processor analysis is hardly worth mentioning. Second, things like apps and games probably aren't bottlenecked by processor performance anyways, with a Core 2 duo mobile
5) You do NOT need 4 GB RAM to run a 64-bit OS. The confusion here is that 64-bit OS's can address 4 GB RAM, whereas 32-bit has trouble with it because 4 GB is the theoretical max for a 32 bit OS. Seeing as a 64-bit OS has an inanely large theoretical max, 4GB is not even close and so the full 4GB is addressed. It's not "if you have a 64-bit OS you need 4 GB of RAM" but the other way around -"if you have at least 4GB RAM you need a 64 bit OS"
6) If you buy a retail disc, this comes with 64 and 32 bit versions. I believe you can use your own product key with both versions (you have the option of using either, and can change at any time) - correct me if I'm wrong someone. IF you buy an OEM disc (much cheaper) then it only comes with 32 or 64 bit, not both. in that case you CAN'T use your product key because they are different versions, and OEM is specific to one license.

EDIT: you can't upgrade from 32 bit windows to 64 bit. It requires either a previous 64 bit installation, or a full installation. (this is old news - XP x64 wasn't upgradeable frmo 32 bit windows either)

 

lemme be clear....

i have a g1.. that came with vista home premium 32 bit preinstalled...

if i take a retail vista home premium dvd... do a complete 64 bit fresh install... with a reformat.. ect.

will my product key work?

 

In a word: No.

Computers come preinstalled with OEM versions. A retail key will not work on an OEM version of windows, and an OEM key (which you have) will not work with a retail key.
If you can find/download a windows Vista home premium 64 bit OEM then I doubt it would work, but don't know. I am 80% sure that it wouldn't be allowed.

 

thanks...

thats wack

 

If, as you say, you already have apps in mind that utilize 64-bit architecture... and in addition, you already have XP for backwards compatibility, then I'd say go for the 64-bit edition. While many people haven't found a use yet, you have... and the expense of getting another license for upgrading to 64-bit in the future won't be worth it considering that you already have the compatibility you need.

I think people overestimate how long it will take to get widespread development and use of 64-bit OSes, applications and platforms at this point... it's not going to take 'a few years' from now; that's what we were saying a few years back when x86-64 was introduced by AMD's Athlon 64, and even before that when Itanium was introduced (though it wasn't x86). Now that Core 2 Duo and 64-bit Athlons make up the majority of the new computer market, you can bet that it won't be long at all - within a year or so - that we see many stable, high performing 64-bit drivers and applications. If you adopt now, you're still on the leading edge - but it isn't quite 'bleeding-edge' as it would've been a year ago; most major applications from the 32-bit world will still work fine in your 64-bit OS.

 

Hmm, i see. So i get the x64 Vista, and if things dont work out, i can try getting the 32bit upgrade media from my friend and install the 32bit vista too! ok, Im going for the x64!

 

You can try obtaining a 64bit OEM media and try, but i suggest you call up Asus to check.

 

I went with 64-bit simply because I don't plan to upgrade for a few months (or until software comes out for Vista and not XP, whichever comes first). I'm hoping that by then, the combination of driver support and the added advantage of 64-bit programs will make it worth it.

~ Brett

 

so correct me if i'm wrong... If I would order Vista 64bit I can still download 32bit installation dvd, use my 64bit key to run 32bit vista... and down the road reformat my HDD and install 64bit with the same key ?

 

Thats the question i also wish to know of the answer. is it retail DVD you're talking about too?

 

wait a sec. microsoft them selves sell 64 bit version cd/dvd. how is it not possible to use a key previously used with 32 bit with a new version of 64 bit. The keys for vista now work for all versions, home, business ultimate. they do not tag your version when you register. like always they tag your system profile including your mac address encoded with your product key. Can someone confirm an article from microsoft that says "you will not be able to use your key with 64bit if you already installed 32 bit with the same key"? i am pretty sure that is not the case.

 

What happens if the key is already activated with a 32 bit Vista? if we install the 64bit OS, will it activate and vice versa?

 

Hmm. I may have been incorrect in saying that one would need a new license; on the other hand, I've heard that for anything below Windows Vista Ultimate you need to actually buy the 64-bit version of the software media because only the 32-bit version comes included... someone else could clarify this.

 

actually you should be able to (with Retail OS) install the 64 bit with key X, activate it, use it and then wipe it clean and install the 32-bit of the same OS with that key.

This is because on the retail version both the 64 and 32 bit are options (which is why you don't see Windows Vista x64 retail sold specifically.) thus for retail I am positive you can do a 'switch' and thus the key will work, as long as you install the correct version (ie. business vs. home premium)

So for retail a key for 32 bit Vista will work for the same 64 bit vista.
But for OEM it might. The fact that you require 2 DVDs if you have OEM probably means that OEM 32 Vista key won't work for OEM 64 Vista key (that is my logic - I am speculating completely)

Note that 2 OEM licenses are approximately the same cost as single full Retail license.

For 110 x 2 = 220 dollars I can buy two licenses of windows vista, 32 bit and 64 bit. For almost exactly the same price, I can buy 1 retail CD/DVD which is really a license for both. so if you don't want the support from MS (and don't plan on ever transferring the OS to another computer) get 2 OEM versions.

 

the vista business that we're getting through the update program is oem or retail ??

 

That's a good question. On the one hand, OEM doesn't make upgrades - so for that reason I'd say it's retail. On the other hand, you can't upgrade from a 32 bit OS to a 64-bit OS, so it doesn't really matter with respect to this discussion.

 

Where are 64 bit vista drivers for atk0100? I tried to install the ones on the asus website, but they only say 32 bit. When I run the '2k setup' (the only included application) it says Installation Failed.