To Vista 64 or not ? that is the question.

Hi all,
I'm about to get a new computer and I was wondering if there is much advantage to getting Vista 64bit over Vista32/or XP32 ? I would like to run extra RAM in my system and I know 32bit OS wont access 4gig or more but other than addressing more RAM what esle is a plus ?

I'm a litle worried as all the people in the computer shops tell me I have to stay clear of 64bit OS as there is too many problems and I can't use any of my current software/games. Can you put a little faith into my thoughts/choices. Also is Ultimate really worth more money than Home premium for the average person ?

I'll be running a Q6600 system.

Yes, you do have to sacrifice certain abilities when moving to 64 bit Vista. First, all drivers have to be WHQL certified (unless you plan on booting with this feature disabled, which can't be permanently set to disabled, but only manually by pressing F8 at boot). Second, not all programs work, even though Vista 64 runs 32 bit applications NATIVELY. For example, iTunes doesn't work. Neither does iPod/iPhone sync (naturally). The Cisco VPN client doesn't work. The Digital Persona fingerprint reader doesn't work. Flash player (for IE64) doesn't exist.

Generally, the only reason right now to move to 64 bits is full 4+ gig memory access. And the fact that any 16-bit code support has been removed. The overall "feel" of the 64 bit environment is faster, snappier. Some games have 64 bit support, which generally translates to a better visual presentation of the game, not necessarily better speed (FPS).

64 bit requires a little sacrifice and patience as drivers and programs are released to support it. But the more people use 64 bit and request native 64 bit programs, the better for the 64 bit community in general.

I use it. Q6600, 4 gig ram (adding 4 more shortly), 4 74 gig 10K Raptors, 8800GTS, 30" Dell screen, + two 20" Dell screens.

Every game I need to/want to play works. Crysis, UT3, COD4, Bioshock, The Orange Box (and all Stem wares), Supreme Commander, Fear..

I'd suggest you at least try it. If you don't like it, scale back to 32 bits.

I am dual booting 64 and 32. My computer hardware is on the margin for 64, but all my XP programs are installed and running, and both OS's have detected all my hardware except for an antique HP 1200 series laser, which is on the LAN.There is also little doubt in my mind, that since I installed the SP1 beta release, the 64 bit has improved considerably. I indulge in one Internet game only - online Pool. Before it was very jerky, but now runs without problems. SP1 in the 32 bit did not seem to make any apparent difference.

i have noticed a more stable environment as compared to my vista business 32bit running on my other computer. games have been playing great...

Ginter, iTunes works fine, cd burning and all, it's just the iPod that doesn't work. you're just gonna have to sacrifice some hardware and software thats all. and as for IE7 64-bit, who uses IE anymore?

i also installed vista x64 with the same worries as you...

but the problems were talked up far too much as i have had no issues i had

few lock up probs to start but sp1 soon dealt with that its a great program

i found it to be MUCH quicker than x32 xp also i had no real driver issues to

tell you about ....it found printer/camera/gpu/flash drive and all other usb

hardware i have

conclusion........

it seems it will run anything relativly new can get a bit iffy with high OC

but i did all that before i installed vista maybe that helped

great OS visually stunning (compared to XP)

I got to the stage I was thinking about Vista, and decided that because the majority of my hardware was x64 compatible it would be silly to do anything else. So I went for vista Ultimate and have never looked back since. I've had it installed less than a week and I have no regrets whatsoever. I have even managed to get my 10 year old HP Scsi Scanner working on it which had no driver support in Vista x64 AT ALL. That was my only minor hurdle. Thus far it has been rock solid, fast, is much nicer to look at than XP and I haven't had any problem with any of my games, they all run fine (apart from one or two graphic gliches in Anarchy Online which will hopefully be ironed out with forthcoming ATI catalyst / game updates)

It's great!

Officially, iTunes is not supported in Vista 64. And it doesn't work for me. Great if it does for you.

As for IE 64 bit, or any other web browser flavor, be it Firefor, Opera, et. al., none have Flash 64 support. Flash 64 just doesn't exist.

is that why it keeps asking me to install plugins and when i do it does nothing...?

Does it not work for you from the install or when you try to run it?

This might help:
Installing iTunes on x64

Then here are the links from that article:
covidimus.net » iTunes on 64-bit Vista
Driver Updates - GEAR Software, Multimedia Made Easy, GEARSEC

I’ve been going back and forth between Vista Ultimate 32, Vista Ultimate 64 and XP Pro 32 Bit on a dual boot setup. At one point I even started to mess around with Linux 64 Bit and 32 Bit, but I kept coming back to Vista 64.

I don’t even see a performance difference when running 32 Bit applications on Vista 64 anymore. I think the improvements in 64 Bit drivers have come a long way in the last year in terms of maturity. Right now as it stands the latest drivers for my video card (Nvidia 8800 Ultra) are better for Vista then they are for XP.

Right now I’m using Vista Ultimate 64 with the SP1/RC and I’m having no problems at all with any of my applications. Performance is excellent and I’m even using the “Aero” feature.

It’s getting to the point where I’m ready to say goodbye to Windows XP and 32 Bit permanently.