How much $$$ for Vista x64 if I own x32?

M

Marvin

New Member
Hello everyone, my first post here. I still don't have Vista x64 (although I would want to!), and a lot depends on this topic whether I will get it...

In the past 2-3 days I had my heart set on getting a new PC from Mesh Computers, a nice Intel Quad Core with nVidia 8800 GT. Very recently, they started putting 8 GB of RAM, so quite naturally I assumed that they were rolling them out with Vista Home Premium 64-bit. Just today I have found out that they do not support Vista x64 at all, and that every system is x32. When I asked them why are they giving x32 platforms that can't read more than 3.2 Gb of RAM, they couldn't really explain (apart from trying to pull a story how Vista SP1 x32 magically can adress up to 7.5 Gb). Long story short, they don't do x64, and don't intend to in the near future, as they don't want to support a x64 platform which had lots of problems with hardware.

Having asked on few techie forums, I've found out that in fact many of x64 drivers are now fairly good and most of hardware problems are solved. And generally, everyone agrees that even if nVidia 8800 x64 drivers may not be as optimised as x32, the ability to have 8 Gbs rather than 3.2 would greatly overcompensate. So I really wanted a Vista x64.

Seeing that with Mesh I would get a licensed Vista Home Premium x32, how much would an "upgrade" from Microsoft be in the UK? It's not really an upgrade, it would be the same product on a different platform, so I'd hope that it's not too expensive?

Thanks
 

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System One

Hi Ted,

Thanks for a very quick reply, but i'm not sure where should I go on that site? I've found Vista Ultimate that costs $169.99, but that is way too much if I already have a Home Premium. And if you meant that I go for one of the desktops, I'd rather get it from a UK company, all I can see there are prices in USD.

If I specified that my PC from Mesh would come with "Vista Ultimate", does that include the 64-bit version also (although 32-bit is installed)?

If not, could I get 64-bit from Microsoft for some nominal fee, seeing that I already have a Vista license?
 
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My Computer

System One

Hi Marvin,
if you were asking about buying a computer
I can be no help there.

I was just suggesting to look around at web sites
for software.

If I specified that my PC from Mesh would come with "Vista Ultimate", does that include the 64-bit version also (although 32-bit is installed)?
Click to expand...

It's either 32bit or 64bit!

Just remember that there is no *upgrade* from x86 to x64
it has to be a clean install!

Also x64 is more work at the front end to set up
but is worth the extra trouble!

I hope you get it sorted out.

Later Ted
 
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    My First Build ;)
Marvin,

Go to:

Windows Vista Alternate Media

Using your product key code, you can get the 64-bit version of Vista Home Premium for the cost of shipping and handling.

S-
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA nForce 680i SLI (NF68-A1)
    Memory
    4GB - CORSAIR XMS2 PC2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB)
    Hard Drives
    2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320GB)
    1 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (500GB)
My vista ultimate 32bit serial key works fine with my copy of vista ultimate 64bit.
With windows update etc.
Give it a try.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built by me.
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-X38-DS4
    Memory
    KINGSTON HYPERX DDR2 4GB (2X2GB) PC6400 800MHZ DUAL CHANNEL KIT
    Graphics Card(s)
    SAPPHIRE RADEON HD4890 OC 1GB GDDR5
    Sound Card
    2/4/5.1/7.1-channel Realtek High Definition
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung LE40A656F1 1080p 100Hz LCD HD TV 50,000:1
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 in Desktop,1920x1080p in gaming and video
    Hard Drives
    C:\WD VelociRaptor 150 GB,10,000 RPM
    D:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 E:\WESTERN DIGITAL WD15EADS 1.5TB CAVIAR GREEN SATA2 No Raid.Copy Paste Is The Safest Way.
    PSU
    Seasonic 700W 80plus
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    A-Case Twin Engine BB
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    3 thermaltake smart case fan II + 1 arctic cooling fan
    Keyboard
    Wireless Logitech LX710
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    Wirelles Logitech Laser Mouse MX620
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    ADSL 4000plus
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    F:\Sony high speed sata Dvd Rewriter
    KINGSTON HYPER X FAN
    +Cordless Rumblepad 2
Hi Marvin,

All Vista editions have a 32 bit and 64 bit installation DVD version of them. They both use the same product key number, but you can only have one of them installed and activated at one time with the product key number. Only the retail Ultimate edition comes packaged with both DVD's while the others only come with the 32 bit DVD. You will have to send off for the 64 bit DVD's for the other editions at the link provided in sidewinder's post above for a small $9.99 S&H fee.

Shawn
 

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System One System Two

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    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    Custom
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Thanks for replies, guys.

Ah, Ted, sorry, I didn't find that info on the link you posted. I know that x64 requires a clean install, but I think the Sidewinder got exacly what I meant. Meaning, that if I have a license for Vista x32 Home Premium, I can get Vista x64 for a price of a $9.99 or so.

Although, I must say I didn't quite understand the second bit - if I get a new PC with activated Vista x32, can I go to Sidewinder's link, order Vista x64, reinstall my PC with x64 using the same product key, even though x32 was activated already? It would be on the same PC, so I wouldn't have x32 on one and x64 Vista on another PC?


Cheers
 

My Computer

System One

Marvin,

Read Shawn's post (#6)....

S-
 
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My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA nForce 680i SLI (NF68-A1)
    Memory
    4GB - CORSAIR XMS2 PC2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB)
    Hard Drives
    2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320GB)
    1 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (500GB)
Hi Marvin, while I am not an expert by any means, I wanted to say that if you bought a new copy of x64 Vista, and installed it over the existing x32 install, you`d be "wasting" the x32 (although you could use recovery disks to re-install the factory x32 installation if you have them, I think).

If you can afford it, just get a new hard drive, remove the original, and put your x64 Vista on that. Or, you could set up a dual-boot config, with two OS`s tied to one machine, but on sepatate HD`s.

As far as using an existing key to save money, I`m not sure that`s possible, since the operating systems were never "tied together" in a retail package.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD 8650 X3 Toliman
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    2x2GB G. Skill PC2 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 3470
    Hard Drives
    A single ExcelStor 160GB SATAII/8MB cache/7200RPM
Marvin from what you have said so far...Mesh Computers is with out a doubt a mistake to do business with. They are totaly clueless about anything computer related.

32 bit Vista will see no more then 4GB of RAM. PERIOD! If they say it will their morons and probaly a scam. Avoid giving them one red cent.

I suggest going to newegg.com and getting quality components and building the system your self. The money you will save on hardware alone will pay for the Vista OS which you can get there at a significantly cheaper cost as well.

But Mesh...ppfffffttt....forget it. If they told you that for real their a scam.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    My Ever Changing Whim!
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad 9650
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ35JO
    Memory
    6GB Corsair DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS 9800GT Ultimate
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19 inch Sceptre 19 inch Acer
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    1 320GB Seagate SATA
    1 250GB Western Digital SATA
    1 200GB Maxtor SATA
    2x160GB Western Digitals SATA
    1 320GB Seagate External
    1 120GB Western Digital External
    1 80GB Westen Digital External
    1 4GB Crucial Flash Drive for Ready Boost
    PSU
    600watt Fortron Source
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Fresh Air
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonamic 4000
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback
    Other Info
    My main rig runs Vista Ultimate or Server 2008. Depending on which Acronis image I decide to load.
Guys,

The DVD's are not tied to any key. The key applied during installation or after installation. You cannot run 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Vista at the same time with one key. If you have the key activated on Vista 32-bit and install Vista 64-bit, you will need to activate it. That will deactivate the Vista 32-bit install.

Scott
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA nForce 680i SLI (NF68-A1)
    Memory
    4GB - CORSAIR XMS2 PC2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB)
    Hard Drives
    2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320GB)
    1 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (500GB)
sidewinder what you said is only about 50% correct.

Yes you are only allowed to install a particular product key on one system at a time. Whether X86 or x64 its the key they care about. However...should you use that key on one system then use it again on another totaly different system and phone activate. The previous activation will "not" suddenly become deactivated. You will violate the EULA. But the systems will continue to function.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    My Ever Changing Whim!
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad 9650
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ35JO
    Memory
    6GB Corsair DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS 9800GT Ultimate
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19 inch Sceptre 19 inch Acer
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    1 320GB Seagate SATA
    1 250GB Western Digital SATA
    1 200GB Maxtor SATA
    2x160GB Western Digitals SATA
    1 320GB Seagate External
    1 120GB Western Digital External
    1 80GB Westen Digital External
    1 4GB Crucial Flash Drive for Ready Boost
    PSU
    600watt Fortron Source
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Fresh Air
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonamic 4000
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback
    Other Info
    My main rig runs Vista Ultimate or Server 2008. Depending on which Acronis image I decide to load.
joel,

As far as Microsoft's internal database is concerned, the old install is "deactivated". Which is really what I was referring too. We don't want to violate the EULA, do we???

S-
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA nForce 680i SLI (NF68-A1)
    Memory
    4GB - CORSAIR XMS2 PC2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB)
    Hard Drives
    2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320GB)
    1 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (500GB)
sidewinder.

That was 100% correct. I did misunderstand. Thank you for clearing my head.

And

Hell no!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    My Ever Changing Whim!
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad 9650
    Motherboard
    Intel DQ35JO
    Memory
    6GB Corsair DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS 9800GT Ultimate
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19 inch Sceptre 19 inch Acer
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    1 320GB Seagate SATA
    1 250GB Western Digital SATA
    1 200GB Maxtor SATA
    2x160GB Western Digitals SATA
    1 320GB Seagate External
    1 120GB Western Digital External
    1 80GB Westen Digital External
    1 4GB Crucial Flash Drive for Ready Boost
    PSU
    600watt Fortron Source
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Fresh Air
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonamic 4000
    Mouse
    Razer Diamondback
    Other Info
    My main rig runs Vista Ultimate or Server 2008. Depending on which Acronis image I decide to load.
If I`m understanding this, it`s "illegal" to have one PC with two (or more) separate OS`s installed? What about dual-boot?

If the above is true, it should be the opposite; Microsoft should be happy that you`ve bought more than one of their operating systems for a single PC...right?? :confused::confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD 8650 X3 Toliman
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    2x2GB G. Skill PC2 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 3470
    Hard Drives
    A single ExcelStor 160GB SATAII/8MB cache/7200RPM
Jello man,

You are not understanding it....

You can't have two OS's running using the same license key. Dual boot or two systems, it's the same thing.

If you have two license keys you can run two OS's. Dual boot or two systems, it's the same thing.

From the Vista EULA:

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS. Before you use the software under a license, you must assign that license to one device (physical hardware system). That device is the “licensed device.” A hardware partition or blade is considered to be a separate device.

a. Licensed Device. You may install one copy of the software on the licensed device. You may use the software on up to two processors on that device at one time. Except as provided in the Storage and Network Use (Ultimate edition) sections below, you may not use the software on any other device.

b. Number of Users. Except as provided in the Device Connections (all editions), Remote Access Technologies (Home Basic and Home Premium editions) and Other Access Technologies (Ultimate edition) sections below, only one user may use the software at a time.

c. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may use only one version at one time.

S-
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Intel E6600 @ 3.0 GHz
    Motherboard
    EVGA nForce 680i SLI (NF68-A1)
    Memory
    4GB - CORSAIR XMS2 PC2 6400
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS (640MB)
    Hard Drives
    2 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (320GB)
    1 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (500GB)
Thanks for your reply, sidewinder. I know you can`t run 2 OS`s with the same key, but have gathered (correctly?) that you can use as many OS`s as you`d like so long as they`re on different partitions and/or drives & have separate license keys.

I admit I`ve never read the EULA, but will probably do so the next time I install an OS :o.

So, the guy could buy x64 Vista then install it on a different drive (or partition), AND he could still have his x32 bit Vista intact but only IF he had different keys for each OS.

To sum up, he wants two operating systems for the price of one, but it ain`t happenin`. He CAN buy two, for the price of...two :p.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    AMD 8650 X3 Toliman
    Motherboard
    ASUS
    Memory
    2x2GB G. Skill PC2 8500
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 3470
    Hard Drives
    A single ExcelStor 160GB SATAII/8MB cache/7200RPM
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