What is the advantage of Vista 64 bits?

[Baud]

I'm not sure I can find any advantage using Vista64.
OK, you can put more memory (--> more money), but what about the difference with Vista 32 and its 3.xxx GB memory really available?
Some games won't work, and if they do, will they be better than on Vista32 or does Vista64 emulate Vista32?
What about the hardware compatibility (printers, scanners)?
The same with the software compatibility (programs, drivers)?
What about the compatibility between Vista32 and Vista64 machines (network connection)?

In other words, does Vista64 has a real advantage, one you can feel, on Vista32? I can see on the Microsoft Download Center there are less 64 bits updates than 32 bits updates.

And by the way, will Windows7 give the advantage on 64 bits instead of 32 bits?

Is it really the right time to install Vista64? For a normal Office/Internet user? For a game geek? And why?

[CrowdAds]

[jaketerminate]

It really does take advantage of the computing power in dual and quad core processors and the programs that can be run with 64bit vs 32bit by doubling specific calculating speeds and processing data in bigger chunks. The extra memory that can be read isnt really a substantial difference, unless like you said you want to get the most for your money. I have grown at home with 64bit and are starting to use and like it more and more.

[yamawho]

The right time ... depends what time you have.

If you buy a new PC from Dell or HP etc, it will come with vista.

I have installed vista 64 bit on two systems at home for gaming since with Vista you have directx 10 and some games are only for vista.

I have had no real issues with printers, networking or installing games and apps.

Sure, I need to get the odd driver but no problems so far.

32bit vs 64bit ... a 32bit OS will only recognize a maximum of 3 to 3.5GB.
You need 64bit if you plan to use more ram.

Do I feel a difference ... no.
Do I like Directx 10 support along with my 4GB of ram being recognized ... yes.

The 64 bit OS has two program directories a x86 for 32bit apps and another 64bit directory for the others.

For personal use I use Ubuntu or XP Pro since I am not the gamer in the family, just the guy that holds it all together

[zapionics<alt>]

I'm still expirementing with Vista 64... but a few things I can say about it...
first up I dont think its as stable as Xp 32 I had before... i've noticed that the 64bit version of IE7 sometimes crashes, although Vista handles it gracefully... the ATI video driver sometimes crashes... once again its handled gracefully and to be fair that may not be a Vista issue...

Actually I would have to run Vista 64/32 side by side to do a fair comparison between them, but I feel that Xp32 was much more stable...

Now I have stress testing my current setup with two instances of Prime95, one stressing the CPU at 100% the other stressing the RAM at 100% for 18 hours straight without a problem... and I have run MEMTEST so I dont think its the hardware...

I think that DX10 looks fantastic and for that alone its worth it for me... but then I'm a gamer...

The only other thing is that the UI is not as easy as Xp... which might seem a little confronting since its supposed to be the bees knees... but I find the menu seems cluttered and I will probably switch back to classic soon and it seems to take more clicks to enable/disable my network adapter... or get to things in control panel... and I seem to have to spend more time reading things to understand what each thing does...

Otherwise, I'm led to believe by M$ that this product is much more secure than Xp... but then I couldnt install my beloved ZoneAlarm so it doesnt feel more secure... and I dont see why it would be anyway...

I havent tried installing my older 32bit games... will do that next...

Only other comment is that its not as snappy in feel to Xp ... and this is with an 4GB DDR3, HD4870 and an E8500

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by zapionics<alt>

... but then I couldnt install my beloved ZoneAlarm so it doesnt feel more secure... and I dont see why it would be anyway...

hmm... I have Vista Ultimate 64 and have been considering installing it on my primary rig. This has been one of the things that has been a hurdle for me. I REALLY like the ability to block out going connections that ZA Free provides me. The other one is StartupMonitor. I REALLY like the ability to prevent apps from placing themselves in Startup, in real-time. And, I use StartUpContolPanel to manage the StartUp apps.
Are there alternatives to these three apps that will provide the same functionality in Vista 64?

[zapionics<alt>]

Originally Posted by PeterT

...Are there alternatives to these three apps that will provide the same functionality in Vista 64?

I'm using COMODO firewall but it doesnt feel as secure as ZA is... but at least its something... Its also very chatty constantly asking me about every component. I had set the options so it works at the app level but it doesnt seem to work too well and also it doesnt seem to remember things even tho I told it to... i hope Zone Labs get their act together soon.

Still I can recommend it given there isnt much else...

[3 of 7]

Originally Posted by PeterT

The other one is StartupMonitor. I REALLY like the ability to prevent apps from placing themselves in Startup, in real-time.

This one is built into Vista.
It's called the User Account Control, and it complains whenever anything tries to make any changes to the system..