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.

    Vista 64 bit verus Vista 32 bit

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by JWBlue, Oct 18, 2009.

  1. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    844
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    31
    It is my understanding that V32b can make full use of up to 4GB of memory. Anything over 4GB of memory, V64b is better.


    What if I have 4GB of memory? Will my machine run faster on V64b compared to V32b. My common sense says "no" since V32b is able to make full use of memory up to 4GB.
     
  2. L4d_Gr00pie

    L4d_Gr00pie Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No, 32-bit will only see like 3.25GB ram. If you want to use your 4GB, get vista 64-bit.
     
  3. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    844
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I am curious as to why Microsoft says otherwise.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946765

    "Increased memory support beyond that of the 4-GB addressable memory space that is available in a 32-bit operating system"
     
  4. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

    Reputations:
    378
    Messages:
    2,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    In a 4GB RAM System,
    32bit OSes will allow you to see 4GB of RAM.
    However, 32bit OSes only allow 3GB-3.5GB of RAM. I mean fully utilize.

    64bit OSes allow more RAM of course. The world is moving forward. Thus, go for 64bit OSes! You won't regret with it!
     
  5. McGrady

    McGrady Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,400
    Messages:
    3,376
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    No clue why that article says that. 32 bit will not recognize all 4gb of ram.
     
  6. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

    Reputations:
    378
    Messages:
    2,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Well, it said RECOGNIZE not fully utilize. Don't be cheated. XD
     
  7. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Physical Address Extension... that possiby works on 32Bit systems...

    to the OP's question - Dave told me he managd to use 3,92GB without a graphics card (only something integrated into the motherboard) - a 32Bit OS has a 4GB address space - some of it take up by devices.

    Check my sig for more infomation.
     
  8. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    805
    Messages:
    4,679
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    106
    You are confusing between an OS addressing and using all 4 GB of RAM. A part of 4 GB is always used by hardware like PCI bus, GPU, etc. So only 3- 3.5GB of RAM is available for use by a 32-bit OS.
     
  9. JWBlue

    JWBlue Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    844
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    31
    :confused: Is only 3-3.5 GB of RAM available for use by a 64-Bit OS?

    If what he says is true, I am back to square one with my question.

    Is there any benefit to getting a 64bit OS with 4GB of RAM?

    Coolguy implies that the answer is no since only 3-3.5 GB of RAM is available anyway.
     
  10. Signal2Noise

    Signal2Noise Über-geek.

    Reputations:
    445
    Messages:
    1,970
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    ^Erm, yes.

    Not only will the full amount of memory will be used by the o/s there are inherent security features associated with 64-bit as well as enhanced processing power being full utilized by the 64-bit processor.

    A quick google will yield a plethora of good info.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946765
     
  11. L4d_Gr00pie

    L4d_Gr00pie Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    579
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    No no, the 3-3,5 available ram is only under 32bit OSes. IF you go with 64-bit, you will have 4GB available. Trust me, that's why I went with 64-bit, so I could use all my 4GB ram.
     
  12. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    805
    Messages:
    4,679
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    106
  13. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Unless your RAM is shared with the graphics card in which case you won't get more RAM.

    However if you have a 64Bit programme some tasks ma be completed quicker.
     
  14. mtarm1

    mtarm1 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    444
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    how much memory does your graphics card have? because that is included in the 4gb(3-3.5gb) so you might be loosing more memory by using 32bit...
     
  15. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    8,389
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    I think my Intel X3100 can acess about 1GB of RAM.
     
  16. Deathwinger

    Deathwinger Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    2,423
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Doesn't matter how much memory you have. Just go with Vista 64!

    You'll never go back to 32bit.
     
  17. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

    Reputations:
    378
    Messages:
    2,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    64bit OSes FTW! MS even plan to move-on to 128bit OSes.
    32bit OSes already very ancient.
    As Deathwinger said, go for 64bit OSes and you will forget about the 32bit's. This is true.
     
  18. D2 Ultima

    D2 Ultima Livestreaming Master

    Reputations:
    4,335
    Messages:
    11,803
    Likes Received:
    9,751
    Trophy Points:
    931
    your X3100 can access 256MB of RAM maximum and does so on default. It has 128MB of RAM integrated into itself however.
     
  19. D2 Ultima

    D2 Ultima Livestreaming Master

    Reputations:
    4,335
    Messages:
    11,803
    Likes Received:
    9,751
    Trophy Points:
    931
    Even with 2GB of RAM, Vista x64 works so much better than Vista x86 (that be the 32 bit version for those who don't know). I've tested and verified this on my own desktop at home. It had a 2.6 single core processor and 2GB DDR2 800MHz RAM and an 8600 GT (DDR2 version, sadly). I used windows XP SP3 (32 bit) and Windows 7 Ultimate RC (32 bit) on it before, (two separate hard drives) and they both gave me problems... I removed them both and put on Vista Ultimate SP1 (x64) and it worked like a dream. I also tried Vista x86 on my old laptop with 3GB RAM and a dual core 1.83 processor with an intel X3100 GMA on it, and then I tried it with x64 and believe me... it was a huge difference using the x64 version. And it was a GOOD difference.
     
  20. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

    Reputations:
    1,053
    Messages:
    2,468
    Likes Received:
    28
    Trophy Points:
    66
    If you have more than 2GB ram and dont NEED to have a 32 bit OS go for the 64bit.
     
  21. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

    Reputations:
    378
    Messages:
    2,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    My old desktop have 3GB RAM and it is Core 2 Duo with a super lousy ATi GPU.
    I have it run the Windows Vista 64bit. I found it runs faster with it and I have better gameplay and benchmark with it too.
     
  22. sirmetman

    sirmetman Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    679
    Messages:
    3,291
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    Another reason to go to x64: MS themselves basically treat 32 bit as a legacy product. 64 bit is the mainline OS, and that means the vast majority of development and testing goes in to 64 bit. Stick with 64 bit unless you have a very specific and necessary need for 32. Which you don't appear to. :)
     
  23. tuηay

    tuηay o TuNaY o

    Reputations:
    492
    Messages:
    3,711
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    +1 for this!
     
  24. weinter

    weinter /dev/null

    Reputations:
    596
    Messages:
    2,798
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Please enough of 128bit.
    No one is moving onto 128bit.
    Stop spreading FUD.
     
  25. DarkSilver

    DarkSilver MSI Afterburner

    Reputations:
    378
    Messages:
    2,249
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    LOL. Because I read a Topic about 128bit OSes.
    I know it can't be true completely, still the rumors spread.
    But this rumor is good. So, people will start move forward from the 32bit OSes.
     
  26. Imperfect1

    Imperfect1 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    423
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Or, here's a totally different approach, go with a machine that has BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit, like my HP Pavillion. It has the best of both worlds!!!
     
  27. Imperfect1

    Imperfect1 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    423
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Or, here's a totally different approach, go with a machine that has BOTH 32 bit and 64 bit, like my HP Pavillion. This offers you the best of both worlds!!!
     
  28. catacylsm

    catacylsm Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    423
    Messages:
    4,135
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Both are good, 32 bit does offer some more support for aps atm though, but its well worth going to 64bit for that extra ram or kick in speed.
     
  29. coolguy

    coolguy Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    805
    Messages:
    4,679
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    106
    Did you mean dual booting? I also have the same setup.