Is 64-bit worth it for an extra gig of RAM?

Many of the laptops I am looking at right now come built with 4gb of RAM, but only a 32-bit version of windows. Is it worth forking out another 130 dollars for Vista 64-bit just for an extra gig? I plan on buying a high-end (but not quite gaming) Laptop, so I want to have some pretty good performance for my games.

 

You don't need to shell out any extra money at all. Your license covers both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista, you will simply need to acquire a 64 bit disc.

 

I dont think so, I wouldnt pay a penny for Vista in the first place. I am an XP user. Anyways, I dont think its worth $130 to get the 64 bit operating system. The 32bit version will recognize 3.0-3.5Gb of memory depending on the system. SO if that extra fraction of a GB of memory is worth $130 to you, than it is.
Usually 64 bit operating systems have stability issues. I know XP 64bit has stability issues, I am not sure if the 64bit version of Vista, does, but its definitely not worth $130 more.
Just get your system with 3gb of memory, cause that is more than enough memory for most applications.

K-TRON

 

There are some 965 chipset notebooks addressing 8GB RAM. Basically the chipset can handle 8GB, but on most notebooks the BIOS is limited to 4GB. There has been one Acer 8920 user able to upgrade to 6GB without any BIOS updates, and I guess BIOS updates to address 8GB for many notebooks are just around the corner, so when in the long run, programs get more memory intensive or 4GB module prices drop, the Vista 64-Bit will come in handy. But as Hep! stated, your license (OEM or Retail) covers both, you just need a similar version 64-Bit disc to install, and in case the 64-Bit version doesn't activate, you'll need to activate by phone.

 

Vista X64 does not have stability issues, and is in fact much better in that regard than the 32 bit version. Vista gets so much hate because many uneducated users only use the 32 bit version, which in my opinion should never have been made. It was only released to make more money as not everyone who is "Vista Capable" has 64 bit processors.

 

can you elaborate on that. I always thought I should get a 32-bit version cause some drivers etc. wouldn't work on 64-bit. maybe I'll decide to switch to 64-bit now. what everyday difference does it make?

 

All the 4gb systems I've seen sold around me in CT (Best Buy/Circuit City, etc) come preloaded w/ Vista 64.

 

I was just at BestBuy and CircuitCity and about a third of the Vista notebooks on the floor were 64bit Vista.

 

32 bit and 64 bit use totally different drivers. The "driver issues" are finding 64 bit compatible ones. With how mainstream 64 bit Vista is becoming, this is not a problem, almost all OEMs are providing 64 bit drivers. Check the manufacturer's website for the specific laptop you are getting/have to see if drivers are available.

Every day difference? Well, for one I have found that 64 bit Vista on a side by side comparison runs MUCH faster. Other than that, I don't think there are any, besides being more future proofed.

 

I just made the switch from vista 32 bit to 64 and agree with everything hep said. I had no trouble finding drivers either

 

If I buy a laptop with Vista, I can later change it to the 64 bit version at no cost, is that right? Is that true for all versions of Vista (Home, Business, Ultimate)?

To do that, do I need a certain processor? Is there a list someplace that shows which processors can be used for 64 bit? Would the T5750 work?

What is a "64 bit disc"? Are you talking about the hard disk drive? Thanks.

 

i doubt anyone can even use 8GB of RAM effectively

 

Some reading material:
1. Microsoft 64-bit computing
2. 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions
3. Installation choices for 64-bit consumer versions of Windows Vista

Some facts:
1. The procurement of a 64-bit installation media for all purcased (FPP - Retail) or pre-installed (OEM, DSP) 32-bit Vista except Ultimate comes at a cost, which you can calculate here: Windows Vista Alternate Media
2. The Vista Ultimate installation media (DVD) already contains the 64-bit OS version, as well (no alternate media needed).
3. Make sure your notebook OEM supports the installation of a 64-bit OS, otherwise it might be that your OEM Windows Product Key does not allow for obtaining the 64-bit installation media (see §1 above).
4. One 8GB notebook I know of (altough its datasheet states "when technology becomes available") is the Fujitsu-Siemens Celsius H270.

 

Exactly!!!

 

Let me answer some of your questions at least...

1.) Yes, if you buy 32 bit Vista you can change to 64 bit later using the same key you bought. But there are 2 basic types of Vista discs, 32 bit and 64 bit. You must acquire the 64 bit Vista discs.

2.) It is true for all versions of Vista(don't know if there is a 64 bit home basic version though)

3.) To use a 64 bit OS you need a 64 bit processor. All the newer Core 2 Duos are dual core processors with each core being a 64 bit core. I don't know if your specific model is 64 bit. You will need to look it up. Check out Wikipedia and type in "Intel Core 2 Duo".

4.) The 64 bit disc is the type of media you will need to do the installation of Vista 64. The OEM, Retail and Anytime upgrade discs all contain all versions of Vista, but there are 2 basic type of Discs. The 32 bit version of Vista and the 64 bit version of Vista.

 

Windows Vista comes in a 64-bit version for the following versions:
• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise

 

A T5750 is 64 bit, all Core 2 Duos are 64 bit, all Core Duos and prior are 32 bit.

 

MUCH faster? I think that's only psychologically.

Benchmarks dated February 2008:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1354

Benchmarks dated April 2008:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2280808,00.asp

 

No, it boots noticeably faster. Benchmarks and real world performance do not equate to each other, I am sorry that you think that they do.

 

I understand that benchmarks and real world performance can be different.

About boot time:

 

Well, I guess this is why I rarely trust benchmarks and tend to try things out for myself. Two identical systems, save the 64 bit had an 8800GTS not an 8800GT, and the 64 bit booted much more quickly.

 

Well, I haven't done a speed comparison but I can say I am real happy that I went for Vista 64. I would say it would be worth going for unless you interface with a lot of old hardware and 16 bit programs. If you do then it would be better to stick with 32 bit Vista or XP. I am not interfacing with a lot of external hardware and even if I do most of the stuff I am using with the laptop is new. I have a few older games that I play and most have been trouble free also. There are a couple of older games that used a 16 bit installer that I had trouble with, but I found acceptable workarounds for them as well.

 

If you're interfacing with 16 bit programs and old hardware... You should be using 2000 probably.

 

I noticed that norton 360 did not work well with Internet Explorer 64 bit and flash does not show up in your browser using Internet Explorer 64 bit. On the 64 bit version start menu you do have the option to open internet explorer 32 bit version which will work norton's phishing filters correctly, frame network as well. Flash works fine as well that way too.

I had both for a short time. I do agree that in the next few years all if not 99% will be 64 bit. Some companies and applications still are using older stuff but are working on patches and downloads to correct itself working with the newer 64 bit.

I honestly did not have both side by side and will not be able to confirm which is faster. I did reorder my laptop which has now a 32 bit version but I plan on latter in the year upgrading when the bugs have been kicked out.

my 2 cents.

:EDIT:--Reason I had both..Started out with a laptop fw139 e/h that had the 32 bit. Returned to best buy and got the fw170 j/w which used the 64 bit. Four days later I returned and custom order my new computer from SonyStyle...Just some clarification on comparison...

 

Norton 360 and Internet Explorer are both terrible software with excellent, readily available alternatives. So I do not see them having problems as an issue.

 

Thanks for all the links so I could do some research. On the Microsoft pages, it lists 64 bit versions of Vista for all Vista types (including Home Basic & Home Premium). On this forum, someone thought 64 bit was not available for Home. But being available & actually getting the install CD are 2 different things.

The Microsoft pages also said 64 bit Vista may not run all 32 bit programs. I have bought a lot of programs that are not from mainstream vendors. I'm afraid they might not run under 64 bit Vista. Makes me sort of nervous.

And of course drivers might be a problem. I have a very old HP laserjet 5P printer that'll probably work until the day I die. Don't know if I can get a driver for that. On the Microsoft website, it did NOT appear as an available 64 bit driver. On the HP website, it DID appear & said the 64 bit driver was included on the Vista disc. Don't know who to believe.

I plan on buying a Core 2 Duo processor so I guess that's 64 bit. I couldn't find my particular processor in the Wiki article, but since it's Core 2 Duo, that's all I need to know.

Microsoft also said you can't "upgrade" from 32 to 64 bit. You have to do a complete install. That means you have to re-install all the programs that are already on your computer. I assume that Dell will send me all the disks that I need for that (for Word, Excel, etc.).

I'd like to use the 64 bit Vista, but it sure seems like a lot of things can go wrong. Is this really a workable solution? Thanks for everyone's input. It's quite helpful.

 

Sorry for being pedantic, but in MS terms not all Vista editions have a 64-bit version; Vista Starter doesn't come in 64 bit. So, there are 9 32-bit Vista editions (Starter, Home N, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business N, Business, Small Business, Enterprise, Ultimate) and 8 64-bit ones (all aforementioned but Starter).

 

What, they made a Home N? Why in the world would they do that?

 

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/homebasic/n/default.mspx

 

No, I believe you and I know what N is. I'm wondering why they would even bother making home N, they've always made pro N because businesses don't need that stuff. I guess home users don't either, but still. Cmon. They're getting greedy.

 

They have to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_Microsoft_antitrust_case

The N versions are available within the EU only, as a result of the ruling above. Vista Home Premium and Ultimate can't be offered in a N version though, since the Media Center is integrated within the OS in that case. Vista Starter isn't available in the EU at all, so no problem there.

 

No problem. I love detail & accuracy, so I very much appreciate your correction.

 

I can not believe those answers in this forum.

A 32 bits O.S. will run upto 2.8GB memory only! Although you will see 4GB memory in windows Vista Service Pack 2, but you are limited to 2.8GB becuase of the 32 bits.

To answer Buh's question, the answer is depended on your current applications. ARe they running on a 32 bit enviroment or not? If most of them are 32 bits, you better keep the 32 bits.

 

I cannot believe your answer either, Vista SP2?

According to a Microsoft Software Test Engineer, Windows 32-Bit can use in ranges from ~2.75 GB to 3.5 GB depending on the devices installed, motherboard's chipset and BIOS. Personally, I've also seen systems that can use 3.5 GB.

 

Agree, 100%

 

Well I'm using a new Dell Inspiron with 32-bit Vista and Dell's latest BIOS revision, and it registers all 4 GB of RAM on the machine, though I think the actual amount it can use is somewhere around 3.3-3.4 GB... total physical memory as reported by Windows Task Manager is 3581 MB...make of that what you will.

 

"i doubt anyone can even use 8GB of RAM effectively"

Apple sells Mac Pro models with up to 32 GB of RAM and yes, they do have Boot Camp for Vista x64.

x64 has architectural performance benefits. The main benefits are in 64-bit integer arithmetic (32-bit mode requires synthetic math using 32-bit registers or SIMD programming but that doesn't work for division), additional general purpose registers (because x86 suffers from register pressure) and additional vector registers. Operations involving bulk copies of memory can take advantage of 64-bit data moves instead of 32-bit data moves.

HPs complete performance laptop line supports 8 GB of RAM. Many of their midrange models do too. Hopefully Apple will follow suit along with Dell and the other manufacturers.