64bit Vista

I just found out my laptop can run 64bit vista, what would the benifits be if i reinstalled vista as x64 instead of x86??

i only have 2gbs of ram atm..

 

Basically the only real advantage for now is that your computer can access more than 3.5GB of RAM.

 

It's not really worth the hassle to reformat if you aren't using 3GB+ RAM (unless you were going to reformat anyway).

64-bit does offer additional benefits other than memory addressing, including added security features and stability. See here for more information than you'll ever need on 64-bit OS's.

 

I'm planning on upping my RAM to 4gb at some point.. my pc could probably do with a reformat though xD

 

You'll need to find 64-bit drivers.. I think.

 

Yeah, that's true. With the wide adoption of Vista 64, though, you shouldn't have much trouble. You could always ask around in the Dell subforum if there are 64-bit drivers you can't find.

 

Ha. Wide adoption? I -still- can't connect to the campus VPN outside of the actual campus grounds, because it refuses to play nice with 64-bit versions of Vista.

Just keep your 32-bit version. You can add another 1GB of RAM and still not run into any issues. When Windows 7 comes out... THEN make the leap to 64-bit

 

Well i don't really need to do VPN so that's not so much a worry xD

 

64 bit native softwares run faster than the 32 bit versions. e.g WinRar 64 bit, 64 bit IE,etc. The system is much more stable and it feels more snappier.

 

Yeaaaah I would just say update to windows 7, and then use it free till release day 2010 , that's what Im doing an I love it

 

Wait for a bit and get the X64 windows 7.

 

I agree. The RC of Windows 7 can be downloaded from MS website in both 32 bit and 64 bit flavors. Moreover it is valid till June 2010. Definitely worth a try.

 

is it stable enough as an OS that is used daily because i use my laptop for alot of things..

EDIT: is there a way to dualboot vista and win7 as i dualboot xp and win7 on my desktop

 

Very much stable. There are no major bugs in the Release Candidate.

 

it won't let me download it, it says it doesn't have access to my system or something :S i'm using FF and my internet explorer crashes on startup..

 

Lol, i was just curious as to how it would make my system better, now i need help because i can't download windows 7 64bit because it says error on the download managed from microsoft >.>

 

I am overwhelmingly impressed with Vista 64. All I heard about Vista was people talking crap about all their problems, and I haven't had one.

 

Vista x64 was a nightmare at launch, mainly due to unfinished drivers from 3rd party vendors. Now it's much better and more stable, as it should be.

 

Running Vista Ultimate x64 since July 2007. Have not had a single issue so far.

 

wackydude1234

Please do a search as the answer to this question has been answered repeatedly

 

Even with my 2 gb of RAM, I prefer 64-bit Vista. It feels a little smoother (although the difference isn't huge), and it has a few security advantages. And when running programs that have a 64-bit version, it can use your CPU a little bit more efficiently (even without lots of RAM).

BUT... here's the thing... you may encounter an occasional program or peripheral that still doesn't work on 64-bit. If you're a tinkerer, like me, you'll just find an alternative that does work. But, if you're going to freak out because one or two things are incompatible, then stick with 32-bit.