Solved Upgrading Hard Drive and RAM stay x86 or go x64?

osholt

Magister mundi sum!
Vista Guru
I am upgrading my MacBook 5,1; 2.4GHZ next week.
I am upgrading the RAM from 2GB to 4GB.
I am upgrading the HD from 250GB to 500GB.

I will be reinstalling Mac OS X; no problems there.
I will also have a 100GB or so Vista Bootcamp Partition; I currently have a copy of both Vista Pro x86 and Vista Pro x64 in my possession ready to use. Should I install a32bit or a 64bit edition?

I will be using it mainly for gaming (not particularly high end gaming but all 32bit games, no 16bit games) but I am unsure whether my 4GB of RAM will be fully utilised by the 32bit edition.
On the other hand 64bit isn't officially supported on this model but according to others seams to run without problems.

Should i go for 64bit or stay 32bit? Opinions and personal experience welcomed.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Apple MacBook, 5,1
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4Ghz
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 9400m
    Monitor(s) Displays
    13.3" Apple MacBook LCD Screen + 22" HannsG DVI LCD + 21.5" Samsung USB Lapfit Monitor LD220
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800 + 1920x1080 + 1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    SATA Internal 2.5" 500GB (305GB HFS+, 195GB NTFS)
    External USB 3.5" 1TB (HFS+)
    Case
    Aluminium Unibody
    Keyboard
    Apple Late 2009 Wireless Keyboard (US)
    Mouse
    Apple Magic Mouse
    Internet Speed
    6.33Mb/s up. 0.36Mb/s down.
    Other Info
    Harman Kardon Soundsticks II Speakers
Welcome,

I think this article fairly represents my opinion,

as well as many others who have posted at this forum.


32-Bit Vista Memory Limits : Windows Vista and Windows 7 Help

Bottom line, I would go with 32 bit. You will not see much of an imporvement with 4GB RAM. The suggestion in this Forum is over 4GB go with 64. MS says that you can go 64 with 2GB, but not a recommendaion of this Forum.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
TY for the rep. I truly hope that my post fully answered your question
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS420
    Memory
    6 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD3650 256 MB
    Sound Card
    Intergrated 7.1 Channel Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell SP2009W 20 inch Flat Panel w Webcam
    Hard Drives
    640 gb
    Cooling
    Fan
    Keyboard
    Dell USB
    Mouse
    Dell USB 4 button optical
    Other Info
    DSL provided by ATT
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