Vista - 64-bit: More than just the RAM

I've used Vista x64 with 1GB of RAM (of course, not ment for gaming), the main disadvantage is like with any OS... you'll be prone to run low in memory and have disk thrashing.

As for advantages, you have all the "x64" brand advantages.
You'll be able to run 64bit software, and have all the features not present on Vista 32bit.

That's why "64bit is more than just the RAM" =P
Feel free to read the entire thread.

The simple question I have is will the programs & hardware I now use with Vista 32 likely, say 80% or more, work with Vista 64? My main reason to switch is for photoshop.

The most imporant thing is that 64bit OS requires 64bit drivers. Thus, any program that works uses 32bit drivers, will fail. Also, 16bit compatibility is completely dropped, so no such program nor installer will work. (many old 32bit applications had 16bit installer headers)

Although, even with that, most applications do work. If your application is driver based, search for a 64bit version. If it's an old 16bit application, you can also try VirtualPC, there's a free version of it.

But, if you plan to just "jump" into 64bit for Photoshop... there's no much of an improvement there, not yet. There are minor improvements, but not much to justify a "jump".

Thanks KrossX for the comment. I think I will postpone the change until a more compelling reason emerges.

Canauslupus

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

An overall 12% is not much to justify a "jump".

Those who use huge files and those to whom 4GB is not enough at all for desktop usage. They'll find a 64bit OS useful regardless of using Photoshop or not.

That’s just an example test. Not sure under what conditions, but it’s likely just running Photoshop and nothing else. In Real Life, you might have Word, 5 excels, 10 browsers, 15 PDF’s open and watching a video clip while waiting for your render. It all depends on the user. You always have to consider this when looking at benchmarks and such. It just gives you an idea of what it does and it's not literally representative of what you will actaully get in normal usage.

is there a one-stop website for 64 Bit drivers?

Hi Dinesh,

I always found it best and safer to get the drivers directly from the device manufacturer's website.

so for 62bit ultimate 4gb ram would be ok?