64 bit processor, 32 bit Windows

I'm planning on buying a Compaq V6000Z, but I just now noticed that, despite all the available processors being 64-bit, HP is offering only 32-bit Windows Vista. Is this a problem (running 32-bit Vista with 64-bit processor)?

 

Nope, though it does sound a little stupid to have that expensive 64 bit hardware and just a 32 bit OS, but it wont be a problem. You have to check if all the drivers you need are available already, but you can upgrade Vista to 64 bit yourself (microsoft does want you to pay for that though). But from what i heard it doesn't make that much difference yet, 32 or 64 bit.

 

32-bit should be fine as long as you don't go over 3GB of RAM. You can really choose between 32 and 64-bit OSes on that laptop.

 

I would stick with 32-bit esp for home use. There are still alot of driver issues with 64-bit. GL

 

Well, lol, it's the most inexpensive processor on the second cheapest notebook HP offers.

Thanks for the advice, I was worried for a sec. And allow me to mention that what I will do on the notebook is very basic, just mostly word processing and maybe casual gaming, and as such I'm keeping all the standard specs (Athlon processor, 512 MB of RAM, such and such).

I am a bit confused though that you mention to make sure the drivers I need are available, while Skyotic mentions that there are a lot of driver issues with the 64 bit OS (I'm assuming he is talking about the OS and not the processor). Are there driver issues with both?

 

64 bit extensions really don't add any cost to the processor. the infrastructure is already in place. the cost of 64 bit is nominal at almost all retail systems ship with a 64 bit processor. even the cheap ones.

 

The issue is 100 percent with the OS and hardware peripherals who have not created 64 bit digitally signed drivers for their product. In fact, Microsoft could have chosen to have made non-digitally signed 32 bit drivers compatible, but chose not to for security reasons. Microsoft was in the news a week or so back when they jerked the Verisoft digitally signing of an Austrailian product which made unsigned 32 bit drivers work with Vista-64, citing security breaches to Vista as the reason to not permit the company to propagate the technology.

64 bit windows also will not run old 16 bit code, from older software. While programs may be compatible, and 32 bit code is, sometimes the software company will put in some old vintage 16 bit dll's and 16 bit installation loaders which will work fine with 32 bit windows, but not 64 bit.