32-bit/64-bit and xp/vista

[stormwalkerza]

Greets

Seems i'm getting a core 2 duo, which is apparently 64bit

How does running xp/vista on this cpu work?

what i'm getting at is that theres software i use thats not nessiceraly compatible with 64-bit, must i get vista 32/64 or can i stick win xp 32 ...

i will have 4gb ram, and not sure the state of affairs of vista and general usage/adoption, ive only ever heard bad things ... I do a lot of development, and also love my gaming .... If xp pro will work best here, then i'm all set.

Any advise would be appreciated ..

storm

 

[Glordit]

32bit OS's will not see a full 4GB of RAM only 3.5GB and as for 64bit XP/Vista it will see 4GB's +

 

[stormwalkerza]

Yea, been googling more info, my main concern is if i install a 64-bit os, will it run my 32bit applications, is there a "32-bit mode" in xp/vista ....

 

[killadoob]

dude dont even think about installing xp 64 bit

get vista 64 bit, really good solid OS

 

[SYNERGY]

Yep will work fine. Only possible problem you will have is drivers

 

[kronoSX]

not so much anymore with drivers

 

[killadoob]

you wont have a driver problem on vista

xp 64 you'll have lots though

 

[.Froot.]

Using 64-bit has its pro's and con's. Pro's: You can actually utilise all your RAM (except if you have >16GB of those) and the system runs faster than a 32-bit system.
Con's: Compatibility issues. You have to get 64-bit drivers for everything, 32-bit just won't cut it. I'm feeling sick to say this, but if you want to go 64-bit then go Vista. XP is going to fall behind on 64-bit compatibility sometime or another...

 

[killadoob]

dude xp 64 never even jumped on compatibility

i know majority of hp printers dont work
drivers are a real issue on that system and its a great OS

now you cannot blame microsoft because companies decided not to invest in drivers for it , its so freakin fast

i would be using 64 bit xp and not vista if it had drivers for everything

the nice thing about 64 bit is you dont get many virus's, in fact since i have had vista 64 bit running i dont run an anti virus and never had a problem

scan the pc once a month, in 9 months nothing

 

[Ekhaatvensters]

Most development apps should be 64bit compatable, makes sense.

Using 4GB RAM and a C2D I'd go for Vista 64.

 

[stefan9]

32bit OS's will not see a full 4GB of RAM only 3.5GB and as for 64bit XP/Vista it will see 4GB's +

Not exactly true. Vista 32 bit with sp 1 can see all 4 gig's but it still can't use it. You can also get a 32 bit os to use all 4 gig's on certain intel mobo's using pae. But it's a hassle and doesn't always work.

On the topic. I say go for vista x64.

 

[Lino]

Not exactly true. Vista 32 bit with sp 1 can see all 4 gig's but it still can't use it. You can also get a 32 bit os to use all 4 gig's on certain intel mobo's using pae. But it's a hassle and doesn't always work.

On the topic. I say go for vista x64.

Although even though Vista can see all 4GB's it won't allow any application to use more than 2GB if needs be. I would say if you have 4GB RAM, install Vista x64 bit, most applications seem to work for it and it has a lot of supported drivers.

XP 64bit on the other hand, disaster not enough drivers for it