Is there any advantage to my upgrading to Vista 64? I’m running Vista 32 now, and Like it. Is 64 compatible with my existing computer and programs? I’m working with a 1.80 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core TK-55, with a 512 kilobyte primary memory cache in a Dell 1501 Laptop. 2 Gig memory.
Works fine but I want MORE! ::Greedy Giggle:: :dubious:
For the average user you would see no advantages. Most consumer software is compiled as a 32-bit program. 32-bit programs are actually a bit less efficient on a 64-bit OS (although in most cases you’d probably never notice).
The main thing the average user would get out of a 64-bit OS is the ability to install more than 4GB of RAM into your computer. Again though, for most people, 4GB is plenty.
If you really have need of a lot more memory and/or you have some 64-bit software that can take advantage of the processor and OS then fine. Otherwise not much use.
Doubtless someday it will all be 64-bit but not for awhile yet.
Add in the issue of dodgy 64-bit driver support and I’d strongly recommend sticking with the 32-bit OS barring some specific need.
I wouldn’t switch to a 64 upgrade midstream on this computer due to the not insignificant chance of compatability issues as well as the lack of compelling reasons to do so cited by What-a-Mole, but certainly for the next computer.
And at this point, you might just want to wait for Windows 7, anyway.
Thanks, All. I’ll wait.
Correction: more than 2-3GB. To have 4GB, you need 64-bit.
Also, 64-bit programs are about 10% faster due to more registers, but that’s not much of a speedup and there’s not that many of them.
I put Vx64 on a computer I built myself and encountered some driver and compatibility issues but nothing insurmountable (I have 4G of memory). However, I wouldn’t recommend it if you already have Vista 32, it’s just not worth the effort unless for some reason you need gobs more memory, or you are a hobbyist that likes to dick around with your computer all the time. In hindsight I would have settled for Vista 32.