Vista - 64-bit: More than just the RAM

Hi Eutichus,

Usually nothing other than a 64 bit CPU, but you would need to use a 64 bit driver version for the device though. 32 bit device driver versions will not work in a 64 bit Vista.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Thanks

Eutichus,

Hold on. Vista x64 might require different hardware. At least from a CPU and motherboard perspective and I am sure there are still other pieces of hardware that are not Vista x64 compliant.

If your system is using a 32-bit only CPU or a motherboard that does not support Vista x64, then yes, Vista x64 requires different hardware.

S-

Well - Probably not an issue, since CPUs have been X64 capable since 2003 (AMD - Opteron), and 2004 (Intel - P4 Desktop - Notebooks had to wait for Core2). But yes, if your computer is older than that then switching to a 64 bit OS won't work.

But if you're buying new today, then basic hardware support of X64 is a non-issue. The question is whether your devices have drivers available. MSFT now require both 32 and 64 bit drivers for devices displaying the Windows logo. So again, if you're buying new it shouldn't be an issue.

Agreed....probably not an issue. But I have come across people trying to install Vista x64 on 32-bit only systems (rare) and people trying use old interface cards that would not work with Vista x64 (even more rare). That's why I brought it up....

S-

Written by David Handlos on Thu 25th Sep 2008 18:07 UTC


A Windows developer and Sysadmin has compiled a "Watch List" of the small but annoyingly important things to keep in mind when moving from 32 bit Windows to Windows x64 (64 bit).


Introduction

Like many others in the IT world, I tend to wear a lot of hats in my job. Often, I'm both an application developer and a system administrator. I'll develop an application and then optimize the operating system for it. And again, like many others in IT, I like to use new technology when I can, especially if it can save me time down the road. So, once I had the opportunity to look into the 64-bit editions of Windows (also known as "x64"), I jumped at the chance.

In order to take advantage of the benefits of these x64-based Windows environments, I've begun to look closely at the differences between them and the traditional 32-bit Windows systems. And frankly, what I've found so far has blown BOTH of my hats clean off. While most of the differences between the two look pretty subtle, they are significant. Whether you are trying to develop 64-bit applications for the x64 world, or just trying to migrate your existing 32-bit applications or scripts over, there are several things that need to be taken into account before you make the 64-bit plunge.


Read more at the Source: Windows x64 Watch List

Most of the new hardware sold today is 64-bit.

Age of 64-bit has arrived, Age of 32-bit is vanishing!
Soon, no more 32-bit computers will ship... *plays the world’s smallest violin*

Out of the 11 HP laptops listed as "new arrivals" at Best Buy, 9 come with 4GB of memory and 64-bit Vista. Ironically, the other two new-arrival HP systems come with "Windows Vista Business downgraded to XP Pro."

In other words, you get either XP or 64-bit Vista: 32-bit Vista is not offered standard at all in this list of new arrivals.

64-bit Vista finds a home on consumer laptops | Nanotech - The Circuits Blog - CNET News

Adobe Photoshop® Extended and Acrobat® Pro natively support 64-bit editions of Windows Vista. Adobe Premiere® Pro, After Effects®, Soundbooth®, Encore®, and Adobe OnLocation™ are certified on 64-bit Windows Vista.
Adobe - Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection: System requirements

Adobe CS4 is 64-bit only on Vista. OSX have to wait for CS5 or something like that when they catch up.
BetaNews | Adobe CS4 will be 64-bit, but only on Windows

To put things in perspective, this is what 64-bit does...

What are the advantages of 64-bit computing?
In early testing of 64-bit support in Photoshop for Windows®, overall performance gains ranged from 8% to 12%. Those who work with extremely large files may realize noticeably greater gains in performance, in some cases as dramatic as ten times the previous speed. This is because 64-bit applications can address larger amounts of memory and thus result in less file swapping — one of the biggest factors that can affect data processing speed.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/faq/?promoid=DRHXB

Hello! Newbie here. Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I've been running Vista 64 for 6+months now on a gateway FX7026 and I can't believe how stable it's been. Not a single crash or BSOD and only 1 program that didn't like it, a game called Shattered Union by 2K who seem disinterested in helping me with the problem.

Other than that Vista 64 has been nothing but a pleasure to use. Some ppl say they have problems with it but they only have 2 gigs of ram. I've got 4 and it's running smooth as silk



Gateway FX7026 - Q9300 2.5 ghz quad core, Geforce 8800 GT oc, 4 gigs DDR2 ram