Vista - Can you switch between 32 & 64 bit

Hi,

New to forums & Vista.

Have a Asus x83vb-1 Laptop - t5800 - 4g 5300 ddr2 - Nvidia 9300m GS.

I really do not have a real need for the x64. I want to run games that do not require x64.

Also can you turn off DX10 for DX10 games to improve performace - run them from a DX9 instead.

All bells a whistles aside - I am gonna streamline this system and I don't need the added junk bogging my cycles down.

IMO XP Pro x32 would do it for me and if possible I will reformat the HD completly without voiding warranty.

I really don't need it for what I want to do.

It came pre-installed from Asus.

There is not alot of support in gaming to warrant the DX10 or the x64 yet and this is not the best gaming laptop. I only spent $650 for the rig couldn't pass it up for that price.

Any and all help TIA,

Daroc

You don't need 64-bit unless you are going with 4+ GB of RAM. I would run Vista 32-bit.

Hi Daroc, welcome to the board.

I believe you have to fresh install either version of your choice instead of switch back and forth by pressing a button. If it is OEM installation, the registry key will now allow to be used for the other version, therefore you will have to purchase a new OS CD.

There is not very noticeable in speed improvement for 32 bits over 64 bits. On the other hand, there are much advantages for 64 bits over 32 bits. To save the troubles and all, I would suggest to leave it along. Kind of like "don't fix it when it is not broken".

Have a nice holiday!!!

Normally you cant turn off DX10 in games they either support it or they dont. There are some games (such as TF2) where you can edit configs to force it to use an older version of DX. Youd need to google how to do this for your specific game.

Hi,

I have to keep the system the way it is waranty issues.

I thank you for your responses.

Shalom,

Daroc

Hi! I wont make new topic for as small question as this, so i will just post it here =).

I found quote made by Brink in these forums where he said:

"You, of course, can only use the product key number for one Vista installation at one time. Not on multiple computers, or on both the 32 and 64 bit at the same time. "

It made me wonder, will something bad happen, if you have PC with vista home premium 32bit installed, and then you install 64bit home premium to another computer, with same cd-key? Or is it just illegal or something?

Cheers, and happy holidays!

Uh..

Theres no reason to not run 64 bit vista as long as you have 4gb ram. 64bit is actually a tad bit faster than 32 bit not to mention it doesn't include anything that would bog a system down over 32 bit.

Vista 64 bit is not a "true" 64 bit OS as well, so it is compatible with both 32 and 64 bit applications...

As far as DX10, you should be able to go to the games explorer and right click the game that uses dx10 and choose to run in dx9.

btw... I have the same laptop. Its a good laptop.

Hi TuBBe, welcome to the board.
The one previously installed would not work after sometime. You will be notify that it is counterfeit. Here is an example: This copy of Windows is not genuine
Happy Holiday!

Err...Bioshock, Lost Planet, Crysis, and Crysis Warhead...I mention these games because I have them, and you can switch between DX9 or 10 from....surprise surprise....the "Games" folder. Just right click one of the icons and choose either DX9 or 10, or, in the case of Lost Planet, you can choose either 9 or 10 thru the game's launcher. See, no config hacks neccessary.

And if i'm not mistaken, most of the DX10 games out now have this capability.

Edit: Unreal Tournament 3 seems to be a game that runs natively in DX10 under vista, i.e. no choice to choose DX modes. I just checked my copy and couldn't find an option to choose.