Gaming in 64bit

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Squishy

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Hi all!
I am currently running Vista Home Premium 32bit (OEM, sadly) and would like your advice.
I am planning on building a new PC over the summer (as I can finally work for decent wages!) and I want to make it a beast. I'm not going to go completely crazy; I'll have a budget of around €1,500 to €2,000. For the most part, I have a good idea of what I'll be getting (X38 Intel mobo, E8xxx Core2 or Quad, R700 ATi or 9xxx nVidia etc) but when it comes to RAM I'm a bit stuck. Should I get 4GBs and a cheaper 32bit version of Vista or go for the 64bit? I know 64bit can theoreticly handle alot more RAM than 32bit, but with 4GB is it worth spending the extra cash on 64bit, or will 32bit handle it just fine? (And by "handle it" I mean utilise it fully. I dont want to find only 3GBs out of 4GB are actually being used...) Aslo, for the 64bit users out there: how is driver support? Are you encountering many problems with games/drivers/hardware?

Many thanks! :D
 

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If you wanna use all 4 GB of RAM.. you HAVE to have 64bit.. as windows doesn't recognize all 4 in 32bit.. with Vista SP1.. it will now SHOW 4GB when you go to system properties.. but thats just showing what you have actually in your system..

So the 32bit wont use all 4 GB.. at most it will USE around 3.25-3.5 MAX. so get the 64bit so you can use all 4 GB.. or jsut run 3GB and use 32bit.. but then you can't run Dual channel. Well you could 2 1gb sticks.. and 2 512sticks.. but it's recommended that you use same size sticks throughout your system.

So get 4GB and use 64bit. and be happy with that Quad Core.. as I just did a build with one.. and they make you very happy when you use them.. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q9650 E0 4.0 GHz @1.304v
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got a dual core and 64 bit,some game updates are a pain but google soon finds tweaks, tend to run most games as admin in any case

got 4x 1 gb ram sticks
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Build
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 6000+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2A HDMI
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    4 GB
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    Geforce 8800 512Mb GDDR3
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    On board 5.1
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    Coolermaster Elite Case
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    http://www.speedtest.net/result/489957372.png
Go for the 64-bit, man. Get 4GB now and upgrade to 8 in a few years. You'll be glad you didn't lock yourself out! I've been gaming in Vista x64 since November and it's been great.

Most hardware manufacturers have pretty good 64-bit drivers by now (it's nowhere near as awful as it was with XP-64), so you should be fine.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    FRION
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @ 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4
    Memory
    CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12
    Graphics Card(s)
    POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 4870
    Sound Card
    HT OMEGA Striker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 24"
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    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache x2 (RAID 0)
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    Silverstone Decathlon DA650
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    Lian-Li V600B
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    2x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F
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    Logitech Wave
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    Logitech G5
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    10Mbit Cable
Definitely go for 64bit. I've been using Vista 64 since October 2007 and gaming on it. I plan to upgrade to 8GB'S of ram in the fall.

There's more Vista 64 drivers than there was for 64bit XP.
 

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  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6600
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    Intel 975XBX2
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    8GB's of DDR2 800
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    Radeon 3870X2
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    HT Omega Claro
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    Viewsonic VG2030wm Widescreen LCD
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    120GB
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    ThermalTake Toughpower 700
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    Antec P182
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    10MB
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    16X LG DVDROM & LG Dual Layer DVD Burner
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Dude, do the 64 bit. OEM is great, if you need "support" you can get better support right here than you can from Microsoft, and it's FREE lol.
 

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System One

  • CPU
    Intel Core2Quad Q9450
    Motherboard
    nForce 790i Ultra SLI(evga)
    Memory
    8 GB DDR3 1333MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    2 e-GeForce 9800GX2(SLI mode)
    Hard Drives
    WD1500AHFD
    (Raptor 150 GB 10,000 RPM)
Thanks guys, I'll definately be going to 64 bit when I've got my new rig!
Just out of curiosity, has anyone got any experience using 3D applications like 3DSMax, Maya or Silo under 64bit Vista? If so, whats your experience been like?
 

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64 bit is the way to go. An addition:

If you get a second HD (or partition your only HD) then do yourself a *huge* favor - manually install all games to a different location than %ProgramFiles% / %ProgramFilesX86% (which usually ends up expanding to C:\Program Files\ and C:\Program Files (x86)\. There is a reason for that.

Vista locks down security for protected folders - including the Program Files folders. You need special permissions to work in those folders, add files, make mods, etc. that can get to be a real PITA. By using a separate folder (or, as I do, a separate *drive*) you bypass the folder restrictions, giving you free reign on the folder(s).

As an example, I have dual 500 GB drives and a 250 GB Drive. my 250 is partitioned ~150/~100, showing as drives E: and F:. on E I have *all* of my 'special' folders - Downloads, Pictures, Desktop, etc.... - this makes for simple system re-builds. on F I have a single folder - Program Files. It keeps all of my games that I install and play and mod.

Most modern games won't really have much of an issue unless you start making .mods / creating maps / etc. Older games, however, that were made before Vista, can have some PITA experiences when it comes to playing them out of the permission locked Program Files on your normal install.

Another benefit is that I have set my AV to not actively scan F:\Program Files, thereby keeping my system from slowing down during gameplay - with the net result being that I can leave my protection on and running and it not affect my gameplay, and vice versa.

I am sure others here will have something to say about this, but this is my practical experience from when I started testing Vista almost 2 years ago, on my old dinky system (that was as bad, if not worse, than Bink's old system!) - a P4 2.0(A) GHz machine with 1 GB RAM and 3 7200 rpm IDE drives.

This has been my experience
 

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    Windows 10 Pro X64 Insider Preview (Skip Ahead) latest build
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    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
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    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
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I leave AV (KIS IS) on all the time and without any exclusions. The games I play run just fine, for hours on end. As far as Vista64, my experiences have been mostly trouble-free. The situation will only get better as more SW/HW is produced that takes advantage of the platform. ;)
 

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xguntherc said:
If you wanna use all 4 GB of RAM.. you HAVE to have 64bit.. as windows doesn't recognize all 4 in 32bit.. with Vista SP1.. it will now SHOW 4GB when you go to system properties.. but thats just showing what you have actually in your system..

So the 32bit wont use all 4 GB.. at most it will USE around 3.25-3.5 MAX. so get the 64bit so you can use all 4 GB.. or jsut run 3GB and use 32bit.. but then you can't run Dual channel. Well you could 2 1gb sticks.. and 2 512sticks.. but it's recommended that you use same size sticks throughout your system.

So get 4GB and use 64bit. and be happy with that Quad Core.. as I just did a build with one.. and they make you very happy when you use them.. :)
Click to expand...

Just a note that it's not pointless to have a 32-bit version of Vista with 4GB RAM. It's not going to use it all but it will use as much as it can (as you've pointed out above) and if/when you upgrade to 64-bit you'll already have it ready.

There are more reasons to go 64-bit than just that though. 32-bit viruses cannot infect 64-bit OS files. The only thing you really need to worry about are your 32-bit applications (Microsoft Office, etc).
 

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  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Abit IP35-E @ 1600FSB
    Memory
    4GB Hynix DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Radeon X1900XT
    Hard Drives
    (2) 320GB Seagate 7200.10
Hmm.. I didn't think about that..

Is that true, that 32 bit viruses can't attack 64 bit OS systems.. and since most people these days still use 32.. most of those Looser virus makers make them in 32bit.. so in a way is 64 bit a lil safer.. or can you not really say that.. that does make sense tho, there visuses can only affect 32bit systems.. thats cool. I'd not heard that before.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Q9650 E0 4.0 GHz @1.304v
    Motherboard
    eVGA 750i FTW
    Memory
    2x2GB Corsair Dominator PC2-8500C5D
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA/MSI GTX 260 SLI
    Sound Card
    X-Fi XtremeGamer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T240 & 226BW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200 & 1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Seagate Cuda 500GB 32mb Cache SATA 7200.(11) + 500GB Seagate Cuda External eSATA, USB, FW400
    PSU
    PC P&C 750w Silencer PSU
    Case
    CoolerMaster HAF 932 (Water-Cooled)
    Cooling
    Plenty of Fans, and a few 230mm Fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech G11
    Mouse
    Logitech MX-518
    Other Info
    ASUS 20x Optical, Bose Companion 3, ATH-AD500 Cans :), Patriot Xporter 16GB Flash Drive (Very Fast), & Sandisk Micro 8GB.

    Nikon D40 DSLR with 18-105mm VR & 55-200mm VR
A 32bit Virus can and will cause havoc on a 64bit system...
The only difference is they cant use rootkits, attach itself to the Kernel or other vital system components to make itself completely embedded and hidden and that just makes it easy to detect/remove and keeps it contained to one user.

64bit is not totally immune because it includes 32bit compatibility software.

Steven

xguntherc said:
Hmm.. I didn't think about that..

Is that true, that 32 bit viruses can't attack 64 bit OS systems.. and since most people these days still use 32.. most of those Looser virus makers make them in 32bit.. so in a way is 64 bit a lil safer.. or can you not really say that.. that does make sense tho, there visuses can only affect 32bit systems.. thats cool. I'd not heard that before.
Click to expand...
 

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dmex said:
A 32bit Virus can and will cause havoc on a 64bit system...
The only difference is they cant use rootkits, attach itself to the Kernel or other vital system components to make itself completely embedded and hidden and that just makes it easy to detect/remove and keeps it contained to one user.

64bit is not totally immune because it includes 32bit compatibility software.

Steven
Click to expand...

That's what I said but less specific. The Kernel and system components are a part of the OS and a 32-bit virus cannot attack that. It can only attack 32-bit software...and a good example is MS Office (Outlook) as I stated.

That doesn't mean you can live without fear of anything. You need to protect those 32-bit programs you run and also protect other people if you transfer files. But it's a huge advantage over Windows Vista 32-bit and ever OS prior. Windows XP 32-bit is probably the worst of all to own.
 

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System One

  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Abit IP35-E @ 1600FSB
    Memory
    4GB Hynix DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Radeon X1900XT
    Hard Drives
    (2) 320GB Seagate 7200.10
JonMCC33 said:
The only thing you really need to worry about are your 32-bit applications (Microsoft Office, etc).
Click to expand...

Not so much. I run Office 2007 (32-bit) on Vista 64 with zero problems. If there are any, I'm not aware of them.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    FRION
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @ 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4
    Memory
    CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12
    Graphics Card(s)
    POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 4870
    Sound Card
    HT OMEGA Striker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 24"
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    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache x2 (RAID 0)
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    Silverstone Decathlon DA650
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    Lian-Li V600B
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    2x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F
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    Logitech Wave
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    Logitech G5
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    10Mbit Cable
Hi Soldatz,

We are talking about 32bit malware and virus`s being able to infect poeple using 64bit windows....

This affects you because your using 32bit software and makes you vulnerable to outlook/office and any 32bit virus attack....Havnt you noticed all the Office and system updates and service packs getting released?

Steven

soldatz said:
Not so much. I run Office 2007 (32-bit) on Vista 64 with zero problems. If there are any, I'm not aware of them.
Click to expand...
 

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I wonder if/when we're going to see Microsoft Office 64-bit?
 

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System One

  • CPU
    Core 2 Duo E6400 @ 3.2GHz
    Motherboard
    Abit IP35-E @ 1600FSB
    Memory
    4GB Hynix DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    PowerColor Radeon X1900XT
    Hard Drives
    (2) 320GB Seagate 7200.10
dmex said:
Thats interesting...I would love to see a 64bit version of Office...
Click to expand...

Yup, so would I. It's a wonder that 2007 wasn't released with a 64bit variant. If MS is going to serious about pushing 64bit, you'd think that one of their flagship products would lead the way! ;)
 

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dmex said:
We are talking about 32bit malware and virus`s being able to infect poeple using 64bit windows....
Steven
Click to expand...

My bad. I misread what JonMCC33 wrote—for some reason I thought he was referring to the compatibility of 32-bit apps on a 64-bit platform.

Yes, of course I have seen all the updates and whatnot for Office 2k7. However we all know that if MS releases a 64-bit version of Office, it'll only be a short matter of time before there are viruses for THAT as well. :sick:
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    FRION
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @ 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4
    Memory
    CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (4 x 1GB) DDR2 800 4-4-4-12
    Graphics Card(s)
    POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 4870
    Sound Card
    HT OMEGA Striker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    WD Caviar 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache x2 (RAID 0)
    PSU
    Silverstone Decathlon DA650
    Case
    Lian-Li V600B
    Cooling
    2x Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
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    10Mbit Cable
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