Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 64-Bit processor, is Windows Vista 64-Bit really essential?

My Toshiba Satellite X200 has an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz T7700, 64-Bit capable processor, but the pre-intalled version of Windows Vista Home Premium is 32-Bit (It supports the 4GB RAM). Is it essential that I have to buy Vista again to install the 64-Bit version to get full performance from my processor? Or is this just another Microsoft trick?

 

i would suggest to wait with 32 bit until compadibility is fixed
im perty sure you dont have to rebuy vista

 

Um exactly what performance are you expecting your CPU to gain from 64bit? cuz if you're expecting an overall bump in speed, then you are mistaken, it is only useful for certain applications and uses of which the typical user will never need.

 

64-bit Vista is more for the computer enthusiasts. You won't see much performance increase unless you require greater than 3GB of RAM. Once computers demand more than 3GB of RAM, you'll probably see Windows 64-bit Windows become more mainstream.

 

Oh, I really didn't know that. But what kind of applications do you mean? Also, is Vista 32-Bit limiting the multitasking perfrmance of my processor?

 

No it's not limiting anything.

That processor works JUST as well in a 32bit OS as it does in a 64bit OS. There is no difference, performance loss, etc.

 

I would have to say that with the 64-bit you wont see much difference, plus you need a printer that has 64-bit compatibility. It may very slightly increase multi-tasking, but nothing to really be amazed of.

 

Thanks people!

(And I was going to waste another 350 Dollars for another copy of Vista...)

 

Yeah; it's really not worth it at all. Spend that $350 somewhere else.

PS: AC05 Rules!

 

TRUE!!! Maybe some 4GB DDR2 667MHz SODIMM RAM...

PS: AC5 REALLY RULES! =]

 

You already paid for Vista 64bit... All you need is the request 64bit media from MS...

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

I was going to waste 350 Dollars for another copy of Vista, LOL!!! Thanks anyway, I really didn't know that. I believe this works for pre-installed versions as well isn't it?

 

Such as... Supreme Commander at high detail levels on large maps? Or Company of Heroes. Or STALKER...
Yes, normal people don't need that.

The fact is, more and more games are hitting the 2GB limit, which means a 64-bit OS suddenly *is* a lot more useful in common everyday situations.

But in general, you still won't need a 64-bit OS. Not yet, anyway.

 

What? Vista 64-Bit has an impact on games!?

(By the way I'll put 4GB RAM that is supported by the 32-Bit version of Vista, if the 64-Bit/32-Bit difference has to do with maximum RAM)

 

Certainly.

http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.aspx?i=3060
Read parts 1, 2 and 3 of that.

Or in short, under a 32-bit OS, no application can get access to more than 2GB of memory, no matter how much RAM you have. If it tries to use more... it crashes.

Due to some of the changes in Vista, the display driver uses more application-specific memory than it did under XP, which means overall memory consumption goes up. They've released a hotfix which brings the memory consumption down again somewhat, but still not in line with XP. (But enough, for now, to avoid hitting the 2GB limit in most cases)

Under a 64-bit OS, the same 32-bit application can be allowed to use up to 4GB of memory, which would eliminate these problems for the next couple of years, at least. (And of course a 64-bit application would be able to use far more)

 

But isn't Vista 32-Bit supposed to take up to a maximum of 4GB of RAM?

 

All the reseller sites I've looked at say 64 bit is requred for 4GB of Ram.

 

Oh, then I have to get Vista 64-Bit...

 

32 bit windows can't address 4GB but it will run on a machine with 4GB on board but will use only 3GB (or a bit more - I'm not exactly sure since I running with 3GB).

John

 

Well, I DEFINITELY those 4GB of RAM, so I must upgrade to a 64-Bit version. Thank you guys...

 

So can I clarify this a bit for a noob like myself. I purchased a Vostro from dell (which Im still waiting for) which I included 4gb of ram, in order to use this I will have to have the 64bit version of windows? Cos I thought that vista business 32 bit could support upto 12 gb of Ram?
Also if I get the 64 bit version will I have any problems with compatibility for games and other programs that I may want to use?

 

If you run a 32-bit OS on a system with 4GB RAM, the OS will only recognize... somewhere between 3 and 4GB. I don't know exactly how much, and it varies from OS to OS.

You might. Depends on what games or other programs you may want to use.
If you have any unusual hardware, you may not be able to find drivers for it (although I'd imagine this isn't too much of a problem any more).
Other than that, the main issue you're going to encounter is that the 64-bit OS will no longer run 16-bit code. There is one place where that is still occasionally used... In installers. Don't ask me why, but a couple of installers still use ancient 16-bit code that simply doesn't run on a 64-bit system.

That said, when I ran 64-bit Windows a couple of years ago, I didn't run into any major problems.

 

Thanks, that puts my mind at ease.

 

In 64 bit mode, calculations that require 64 bits of precision (very common nowadays) will be able to execute natively rather than use a series of 32 bit instructions to emulate 64 bit. The result is a very significant boost in performance.
That CPU can calculate 64 bit without having to execute lots of 32 bit instructions. As such, what would take 4 or more instructions will only take 1 or 2. (A 3000+ Athlon 64 is over twice as fast as a 2.4GHz P4 in distributed.net RC5-72.) Of course, that only happens when 64 bit or greater calculations are done.

That said, switching to 32 bit Linux will gain you more performance than switching to 64 bit Vista. Or just switch to 64 bit Linux and get a double gain.

 

From what i have read on other posts;
for Vista 32 bit, it recognizes 4 gigs - dedicated memory of GPU. (so if you have 4GB Ram, and a graphic card that is 512 mb, vista will recognize 3.5 gigs.)