32bit 64bit whats the difference?

How comfortable are you working on your computer? If not much, I'd say go with 32-bit.

I have a machine with 64-bit Vista and one with 32-bit Vista, 64-bit is every bit as good, if not better, with 32-bit apps/games than the 32-bit version. I've never encountered it, but you might be running some software that would require some tinkering with to run properly on 64-bit, it's possible.

A couple more points:
Want to use 4GB or more ram, you need the 64-bit version
Want to run 64-bit versions of games (Crysis for example), need the 64-bit version

well i am going to have 4 gigs of ram and two 8800 gtx's. would 64 bit be better to run crysis? or is it just not worth hassling with it?gregdpw

4 gigs wont even work with 32bit, so get 64bit

[QUOTE="gregdpw"]well i am going to have 4 gigs of ram and two 8800 gtx's. would 64 bit be better to run crysis? or is it just not worth hassling with it?musclesforcier

4 gigs wont even work with 32bit, so get 64bit

Actually 4 GB of ram will work, it is the maximum allowed for 32-bit versions of XP and Vista.

It will support it, but, how windows will use it is another question, I know MondoCool is right that 32-bit windows will only address about 3 to 3.5GB before it stops addressing all of your RAM.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306824/en-us

http://www.techworld.com/opsys/features/index.cfm?featureid=2595&pagtype=samechan&categoryid=5

i am not sure what you mean by 10 to 20 percent faster for 64bit? and why wont 4 gigs work with 32 bit?gregdpw

it works but it dont use them at 100% (read Irgcjg post above mine)

the main thing that i am concerned about is the pc running smooth and fast on 64 bit with 4 gigs of ram.gregdpw

I can tell you that the change in "smoothness" from 2 GB to 4 GB is not going to affect you nearly as much as getting a nicer processor would. People have this misconception that RAM is the end all source of speed when in reality there is a lot more that affects performance.

Buy 2GB of RAM and spend the rest on a quad-core processor or an SLI setup and you will reap real world gains. As far as the OS the only real decision you have to make here is if you are willing to deal with the hellish lack of driver support that comes with buying the 64-bit version.

well is there any 64 bit sli drivers right now? and any 64 bit soundcard drivers?gregdpw

It's all really sketchy, I know that most major components are supported, but there are so many missing drivers it's going to be a while until manufactures can catch up especially with vista. It really depends on the chipset designer.

I know that Nvidia does support vista and XP 64-bit versions for all of their SLI capable chipsets though. As for your soundcard I'd need to know the designer.

well is there any 64 bit sli drivers right now? and any 64 bit soundcard drivers?gregdpw

There are 64-bit forceware drivers available on Nvidia's website, should work no prob with sli. I can at least confirm the drivers work great with my single 8800GTS.

Not sure what to tell you about the sound card drivers, supposedly some people are still having problems with their Creative sound cards and Vista (it's not a 32-bit or 64-bit thing, it's just a Vista thing), but other people say they don't have problems. Maybe someone else can help you here, I'm not using a Creative card so my audio works just fine.

I've had no problems with driver support with Vista x64, this might be due to have newer hardware.

i am not sure what you mean by 10 to 20 percent faster for 64bit? gregdpw

He might have been referring to the 64-bit performance improvement in Crysis, 10-15% or so

i can still use my creative audigy 2 zs on vista 64 bit right?gregdpw

Creative does have 64-bit vista drivers for it. Still, as of right now, the performance difference and number 64-bit applications that benefit is negligible, It won't be worth it for a while.

i am not sure what you mean by 10 to 20 percent faster for 64bit? and why wont 4 gigs work with 32 bit?gregdpw

It means some program suppost 64 bit and you'll see it run faster if using 64bit OS. I forgot the link about this. But I'm still using 32bit, maybe 64bit OS will be useful in the future. I have no reason to upgrade 4GB ram now.

I wondered whether 64bit Vista uses memory more than 32bit version?

If true, how is it?

you can max crysis with 2 gb

edit: if you get a 64 bit OS, get try to get more than 4 gb, i know its overkill, but why get 64 just to break the 4gb limit =P

but arent you going to need 4 gigs to max out crysis?gregdpw

Holy cow - no way, no game is ever going to use that much, well not right now.

As some stated, 2GB is the sweet spot with RAM, any more and you're pretty much letting it waste, unless you're going into rendering, graphics and video design/editing, CAD and etc