64 bit Vista: Worth the Switch?

[Stromgarde]

Alright, pursuant to building a new PC recently, I got 4 gigs of ram. However, 32-bit OS's from what I understand can only make use of ~2GB of it, and PAE is next to worthless. What are some of the costs/benefits of switching from 32 to 64? I have that slip of paper from the case so I can upgrade with minimal monetary cost, but I'm quite clueless as to what all it entails.

[Maguspk]

I've been wondering about 64 bit vs 32 bit also, and whether 64 bit XP is worth it over 32 bit or 63 bit Vista, which apparently has no compatability with anything besides shitty Halo2.

[evilbau]

the short answer is: yes you won't be able to use all 4 GB under a 32-bit OS. I doubt people appreciate technical explanations, so lets just say depending on your settings you can SEE all 4 GB, but you will be lacking a page file and virtual memory which probably isn't a good idea. 3.5GB or so is a practical max.

i can't speak to compatability, sorry.

[Devek]

64 bit offers no performance benefits and is actually slower.

If you need/use more than 4 gigs of ram you need 64 bit.

It isn't any more complicated than that despite what some of the uneducated rabble will say.

[Mifaco]

the only possible reason I can think of to switch to 64-bit windows (aside from the RAM issue) is the impending release of PCSX2 0.9.4 which has speed gains in its 64-bit version.

[SephYuyX]

I saw 64 bit and said no, I then saw Vista and lol'd.
If you wanna use RAM, run Server 2003.

Stay away from 64bit for the time being, and Vista as well if you can.

[MisterBob]

I'm honestly baffled as to why nearly anyone buys 64-bit OS at this point. Yeah, there are a few instances where you may need the address space to go that high, but for any practical use, its worthless. Yet you see tons of people buying 64-bit, and bitching about how some older stuff doesn't work with it...

Morons...

[Sigi]

MrBob... we don't call them morons, we call them "Consumers".

>.>

[evilbau]

If you have a compelling reason to switch, I would (software driven) as all software will be going that direction eventually (not soon though lol). Also if you have to actually purchase it, I wouldn't upgrade yet. There are reasons to use 64-bit, but I doubt you have to if you are an average consumer.