The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    64 bit of 32 bit version of Vista?? Help Please

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Yankees4me10, Jul 19, 2008.

  1. Yankees4me10

    Yankees4me10 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I am unable to decide to go with the 64 bit or 32 bit version of Vista. I will probably only have about 3 gb of RAM because upgrading to 4 will cost a whole lot more even though i am using Newegg.

    So my question is whether or not 64 is worth it and whether or not it will run decently with only 3gb of RAM.
     
    Yankees4me10, Jul 19, 2008
    #1
  2. bazald

    bazald Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    54
    Messages:
    278
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    31
    64-bit does not really buy you anything. If you don't know why you want to go 64-bit, you would probably be better served by the 32-bit version of Vista.

    Still, if you choose to go 64-bit, I'm sure it will serve you fine as well.
     
    bazald, Jul 19, 2008
    #2
  3. sipp11

    sipp11 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    131
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You won't notice any different in term of performance--64-bit one's really slightly improved over 32-bit in practice. I believe what you have to take a look at it is your software compatibility.

    Like me, I choose to use 32-bit since OneNote doesn't have a virtual printer for 64-bit yet and that's deal-breaker to me.
     
    sipp11, Jul 19, 2008
    #3
  4. talin

    talin Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    4,694
    Messages:
    5,343
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Vista will run fine on 3GB RAM. :)
    I would personally go with 64-bit, since you may need more than 3GB in the future anway. :) Later on, 4GB will be cheaper I'm sure. :)
     
    talin, Jul 19, 2008
    #4
  5. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    467
    Messages:
    1,348
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    81
    One gigabyte of RAM today costs 1/10th what Vista costs.

    Heck, my *8* gigabytes cost less than Vista.
     
    S.SubZero, Jul 19, 2008
    #5
  6. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    455
    Messages:
    4,674
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105

    Who buys the retail version?
     
    JCMS, Jul 19, 2008
    #6
  7. Garandhero

    Garandhero Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    262
    Messages:
    1,522
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    what other option is there?
     
    Garandhero, Jul 19, 2008
    #7
  8. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    467
    Messages:
    1,348
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    81
    I didn't say retail. My 8GB RAM is cheaper than Vista Ultimate OEM.
     
    S.SubZero, Jul 19, 2008
    #8
  9. MTHall51

    MTHall51 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    378
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30

    The software compatibility is my biggest concern. I don't know anyone personally who has swtiched from 32 to 64, but from what I have heard on other forums, there's a chance that there may be some issues. Of course, that is assuming you already have a fair amount of software.
     
    MTHall51, Jul 19, 2008
    #9
  10. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

    Reputations:
    2,071
    Messages:
    5,234
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    For simplest setup and maximum hardware compatibility, choose 32-bit.

    For maximum performance, improved security, and ability to upgrade RAM to 4 gb, see if there are drivers available for your hardware and if so, choose 64-bit.

    I'd personally go for 64-bit if my hardware supports it. But you could choose 32-bit if you prefer a simpler, never-have-to-worry-about-compatibility setup.
     
    swarmer, Jul 19, 2008
    #10
  11. JCMS

    JCMS Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    455
    Messages:
    4,674
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    OEM, Ultimate is $180
     
    JCMS, Jul 19, 2008
    #11