Windows Vista Vista 32-bit to 64-bit...worth it?

Hi Y'all.

I'm contemplating installing 64-bit Vista Business over my current 32-bit version, but from the different threads I've read it doesn't appear there is significant enough increase of OS speed or program operations.

Any opinions of staying with 32-b or going to 64-b?

TIA
Cole

 

Hi Y'self

64-bit (probably) requires 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware.

There are some applications that have 64-bit versions.

I trialled 64-bit (Win XP), but there were limited driver resources for older hardware. I have not tried Vista 64-bit (my motherboard manufacturer does not offer Vista drivers at all, I am running drivers from the hardware controller's websites )

Matt

 

Since my Acer is a spanking new X64 processor with 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM, all the hardware is prepared for a 64-b OS. And even though I know it will require a complete fresh install, my engineer side is hurting to give it a try to see what I can get out of it.

Be that as it may, I'm still a bit hesitant to begin the process if I won't really learn anything out of it, hence my posting here for thoughts/ideas.

Thanks to both you Steve and mattman for your input. I'll let y'all know how things go when I finish the process should I get enough feedback to begin it.

Best,
Cole

 

Ditto that, though I am in no way an expert on this. Just my opinion.

 

I dont have the business version (home premium). It does
have a learning curve to it tho. I've had it a month or so and
I'm still exploring. Can't speak about whats behind the
screen but it kinda reminds me of XP with a new language
for the user to learn and a few whistles and bells added. Has
some strange things in it like the permissions and screens
not staying how you want them but these are just nits and
may be particular to me.

Hoping windows 7 will be a good improvement....

savagcl

 

Then that decides it! I'm already salivating at the idea of installing the 64-b Vista.

Thanks, y'all!! I'll post here the outcome and let ya know if it really speeds up my system, and/or if there are any issues/solutions to help further installers.

May each of you and yours have a super happy new year loaded with lots of smiles and successes. Maybe a few beers, too.

 

I have 64 bit Vista Home Premium running on an AMD quad core w/ 4 gigs of memory. Machine works great. I also have Vista Ultimate, 32 bit edition, running on an older machine with only a gig of memory. PCPitstop rates the newer machine better, but frankly, I can't tell any difference in day-to-day use. Both systems are point and click. YMMV.
Johanna

 

Well, the install went flawlessly and it pretty much runs about the same speed as the 32-b. However, I do understand that many of my currently running programs are x86, therefore not utilizing the full potential of a 64-b OS.

But one thing that's different, and I do mean a BIG thing, is after I rated my system (got 4.0 overall), the interface changed to be this super-slick usage of the graphics. I'm still in awe of how cool it looks every time I open a window or program. This interface was never used in the 32-b.

Does anyone know if it is because of 64-b? For some reason I could never get the rating to work on my 32-b Vista, the option to use it was grayed out, and I'm curious if the reason this cool interface is because Vista rated my box.

 

Hi cmcole101...Glad it all worked out for you...

I'm running Vista Ultimate 32 Bit on a Dell XPS M1710 Laptop Core 2 T7200 2.0Ghz with 4.0GB RAM. My "Rating" has been working since day 1. When I first got the box it only had 2.0GB RAM and my "Rating" was 4.4 and after upgrading the Laptop to 4.0GB RAM my "Rating" increased to 4.6.

The weird thing is that my RAM is the lowest rating...
Processor - 4.9
Memory - 4.6
Graphic - 5.9
Gaming Graphics - 5.8
Primary Hard Disk - 5.3

 

Your rating moved nicely after the upgrade. That makes me a bit curious about mine after looking at your numbers and system details. Here are mine as listed after the OS install:

Processor: Athlon 64 Dual Core 5600+ 5.3
Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB 5.9
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9400 (GF 9300 + GF 8200) 4.6
Gaming graphics: 1919 MB Total available graphics memory 4.0
Primary hard disk: 84GB Free (220GB Total) 5.9

It seems that this computer should have about a 4.6 rating. Hmmm... Guess it's just an MS thing. :=)

Nonetheless...It's a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! GO OBAMA!!

 

The Windows Performance gives you the lowest "subscore ", not an average of your scores. My uber-fast computer only rates a 3.7 because I do not have super-duper video card, but all the other numbers are 5.7 or 5.9.
Johanna

 

Johanna is correct...right on the "Rating" screen it tells you, right under "Base Score" column - "Determined by lowest subscore ". Sounds like if your update your Graphics card you would have a "smoking" unit...although a 4.0 on the card is pretty dang good... . Not that I'm trying to tell you that you don't already have a smoking unit...LOLOLOL

A few linkys on the subject...
- http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/0fee4637-8b21-41f1-87f6-66d2205420d61033.mspx
- http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/get/experience-index.aspx
- http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=37

Base score definitions
Each base score level defines an improved experience over lower levels. A PC will work well running scenarios of its level in addition to scenarios of lower levels.

The base score levels at a glance:
1.0 – 1.9
Basic performance. Productivity applications, IM, web, email, simple games - like Solitaire, educational games.
Minimum specification needed to run Windows Vista™.
2.0 – 2.9
Improved responsiveness. Same applications as a base score of 1.0 – 1.9.
PCs will run Windows Vista but in most cases will not be Aero capable.
3.0-3.9
Aero graphics, Media Center with standard definition TV, basic graphical games, basic performance while running high-end graphical games.
Minimum specification needed to run Windows Vista Premium features, including the new Aero user interface.
4.0 – 4.9
Snappy performance, high definition video, high resolution monitors, dual monitors. Very good performing PCs.
5.0 – 5.9
Fast moving games with amazingly rich graphics, 3D modeling, high-end multimedia and high performance applications. Top end of the PC market for the Vista time frame.

 

Excellent information!

THIS is why I wanted to join this site! After reading through many posts I could tell WindowsBBS has a lot of smart, interesting and fun people. WHOOPEE!!

Plenty to learn and share here.

Thanks!!

 

Ok y'all. I've got one for ya...

I installed 64-b on my D: partition leaving the 32-b on the C: partition. Now that the 64-b Vista is running flawlessly and everything I want to run here works without problems, I do not need the 32-b version and want to move 64-b to the primary partition freeing up the space taken on the D: partition.

I'm going to use XXClone to copy 64-b over to C: partition then remove 64-b from D:.

Anyone have thoughts of an easier, cleaner, or more effecient way to do this?

Unfortunately when I made the Whole PC Backup file it included both partitions because it found OSs on both partitions, therefore I cannot separate out the 64-b to restore on the C: partition as it wants to put it back on the D:.

TIA
Cole

 

I bought an HP with Vista Home Premium 64 bit installed from the factory.

Did not check with all the software I used to see if it would run on 64 bit.

Found out that one program I really like does not run on 64 bit, but that you can use a virtual PC under XP to run programs that will not run on 64 bit.

It is a bit cumbersome to jump back and forth, but it does work.

So, that is the only issue I can think of re: choosing 64 bit or not.

 

Windows Vista 32-bit to 64-bit...Worth it?

I purchased an HP m8457c, 64-bit several months ago. It runs a AMD 9500Quad processor at 2.20 ghz. I upgraded the Ram from 5 gb to 7 gb. I use Pinnacle Studio 12 Ultimate for video and I wanted a lot of memory. Studio 12 has a version for 64-bit so that worked out well for me. I installed the following:
AVAST anti-virus for 64-bit OS (free)
Comodo firewall for 64-bit (it takes a while to get used to Comodo)(free)

I use Unistall Tool 2.6.3 to uninstall programs (l like it because it searches the registry for any traces left behind). I use jv16 Pwr Tools along with Wise Registry 3 (free). CC Cleaner work very well as does SpyBot and Ad-Aware. But I use Spyware Terminator (free) over Windows Defender.

All these programs work very well with the 64-bit OS.