Vista 64-bit or 32-bit. I have both here

I have a DVD for both Vista 32-bit and Vista 64-bit. I got these LEGALLY through my Uni via the MS Academic Alliance Site.

I got them through my Uni along with a Vista Business licence to use. However I am just going to install it as Home Premium when my new Dell XPS gets here so that I can use the Licence that comes with the Dell.

I'm fine with installing it etc, but was wondering are there any clear benefits of 64-bit? I only have 3GB RAM in the system when it gets here so I wouldn't benefit there.

Has anybody put together a driver pack that works with 64-bit vista? The laptop i've ordered is an M1530 w/ 8600M GT and the Intel Wireless N Card.

Also will I be able to get any of these older games to work under EITHER version of Vista? If so will they work on both 32 and 64 bit?

Worms 2 + Worms Armageddon
Rainbow Six + Rogue Spear + Other add-ons
Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield + Expansion
Old Ghost Recon games before it went 3rd person (Have PS3 for this)

 

Nearly all of the drivers can be found in this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=255232

Can't answer the games question.

Honestly, the tangible differences you'd notice between running 32-bit vs 64-bit are negligible, unless you're running some true 64-bit apps. On the other hand, there's no penalty for running 64-bit either, unless you have some oddball app that won't run. You'd have to do research there.

I run 64-bit without issue, and see no reason to move back to 32-bit. If you already have it in hand, then there's no reason not to give it a go. The worst thing that happens is that you need to rebuild back to 32-bit.

Or, if you have a spare $100 laying around, maybe you could get a 2nd hard drive and test out 64-bit on that, without mucking up your original install.

 

I'd go with the 64 bit. I haven't had any trouble running Steam games. Those are the other ones I play regularly.

 

if you got 64bit and can use it....why not?

 

Given that you only have 3GB of ram I'm going to go against the norm here and say stick with 32 bit. While you will not have any problems with newer applications. Occasionally, you may want to run an older app. That's when the 64 bit OS will be a PITA.

If you think you will upgrade your memory to 4gb or more. Then yes do 64 bit. Especially, if you're going to compile code or run photoshop, etc... stuff that will benefit from memory caching.

All the games you've listed were developed on or for 32 bit OS so there is really no benefit in going to 64.