64 bit questions!

[polopolo]

Hello people!

I get (again ) a new PC, now a 64 bit dual core PC!

But, the windows version is 32 bit.. so if I install programs, should I install the 32 bit version, or the 64 bit version?

[cDa]

if windows is 32 bit you wont be able to install 64 bit apps, but if you have more that 3gb off ramm i suggest getting a 64 bit windows

[brainiac220]

like cDa sayed, if you got more than 3GB ram , then install a windows on 64bit , because if you got 3GB ram or more and you have a operating sistem on 32bit the windows will not see you're entire memory ...
 Some example
 
  Windows with 32 bit => 4GB ram = > the operating sistem reconizez only 2GB
  Windows with 64 bit => 4GB ram  => the operating sistem reconisez all the memory, in this case 4GB

[Roadkill]

You can install 32 bit software on a 64 bit pc, but 32 bit drivers are not compatible with a 64 bit pc. Use 64 bit only if you have or plan on having more than 3.5GB RAM.

[Kitsune]

like cDa sayed, if you got more than 3GB ram , then install a windows on 64bit , because if you got 3GB ram or more and you have a operating sistem on 32bit the windows will not see you're entire memory ...
 Some example
 
  Windows with 32 bit => 4GB ram = > the operating sistem reconizez only 2GB
  Windows with 64 bit => 4GB ram  => the operating sistem reconisez all the memory, in this case 4GB

32-bit Vista recognises 4GB (minus the amount kept for system use).

[polopolo]

I will get 3 GB memory. (but I now have 4 Gb memory on my 32 bit Windows XP machine :P)

You can install 32 bit software on a 64 bit pc, but 32 bit drivers are not compatible with a 64 bit pc. Use 64 bit only if you have or plan on having more than 3.5GB RAM.

So, should I install 32 bit or 64 bit drivers on my 32 bit windows Vista machine?

[Aksel]

32 bit.

[Rossâ„¢]

Hello, Polo


If you have a 64bit Processor and you install 32bit Vista or XP, your compatibility will be a minimum like when buying a new camera,
buying a new webcam or anything that is USB, you will have an awful time with driver installations and will end up going to a computer
tech to figure out the problem!


Go with 64bit pc, with 64bit software
Or 32bit with 32bit software, its that simple!



By: Moe Ross

[ShaunSforza]

Hoookey Dokey,

Guy's, 64Bit Operating Systems are designed for Intel Itanium processors. I know the PC says 64 Bit, it is an error on Microsofts behalf.

What you will use (As end users, not Datacentre Server Admins), is x64, which is commonly mistaken for 64 bit. Take a look on Wikipedia if you don't believe me.

32Bit Operating Systems are referred to as x86, and x64 Operating Systems are referred to as x64. 64 Bit is totally different.

:P

Even if you have more than 3Gb of Ram, I would NOT suggest x64, simply because hardware Drivers are extremely hard to find, and a lot of games do not work. 3Gb of Ram is plenty for any gamer. If you have some ridiculous amount in one of your PC's (Like my Win XP Pro x64 Machine, which has 32Gb of Ram) then x64 is liable. Otherwise, stick with x86/32Bit

Shaun

[polopolo]

Hello, Polo

Go with 64bit pc, with 64bit software
Or 32bit with 32bit software, its that simple!



By: Moe Ross

That is Dell's/my father's fault!!!

I gonna install 64 bit ubuntu.. I will not buy/download a new copy of Windows, because we already paid for it..

[JohnC]

Guy's, 64Bit Operating Systems are designed for Intel Itanium processors. I know the PC says 64 Bit, it is an error on Microsofts behalf.

No. You're wrong.

There are two "64-bit" processor architectures currently in widespread usage. Any 64-bit processor, let it be Intel or AMD that you will have on your desktop computer will be running the amd_64 (or x86_64, x64...) instruction set. The 64-bit version of Windows is designed for this.

Itanium is a completely different beast. Any Itanium chip follows the IA_64 architecture instead. You don't need to worry about this at all - do not confuse Itanium with "x64". Itanium processors are designed for servers et cetera.

Regarding the original poster, you will do just fine with 32-bit Windows: you will install 32-bit software and drivers (64-bit drivers and software won't obviously run). The memory will be capped to 3.5Gb, but this is more than enough for everyday computer usage.

If you have a 64bit Processor and you install 32bit Vista or XP, your compatibility will be a minimum like when buying a new camera,
buying a new webcam or anything that is USB, you will have an awful time with driver installations and will end up going to a computer
tech to figure out the problem!

I think you're confused - if you install a 32-bit operating system, you are far more likely to find drivers for that, not the other way around.

A computer with a x64 capable processor will run any 32-bit software fine.

Vista x64 is notorious for having very bad driver support.

[Janar]

A computer with a x64 capable processor will run any 32-bit software fine.

32-bit drivers will NOT work on 64-bit OS. I have tried it, ended up going back to 32-bit OS.

[Mafs]

32-bit drivers will NOT work on 64-bit OS. I have tried it, ended up going back to 32-bit OS.

I have a 64 bit Core 2 Duo processor. I have Windows Vista Ultimate X64 (64 bit) and I am running 32 bits applications.
So before saying anything, get some knowledge.. :\

[Kitsune]

I have a 64 bit Core 2 Duo processor. I have Windows Vista Ultimate X64 (64 bit) and I am running 32 bits applications.
So before saying anything, get some knowledge.. :\

Janar was discussing drivers, not applications. General applications are not designed for particular bit types, so there aren't usually any issues with regard to compatibility. Drivers on the other hand are designed for particular bit types, which means that you'll experience compatibility issues if you're using the wrong type of driver.