But Vista 64 bit install 32 bit?

[leelo]

I've been told by an unreliable source, that you can buy Vista 64bit (whatever flavour, home, business, Ultimate etc) and you can use the 64bit key to install Vista 32 bit.

Not sure if this is true, would be good motivation for me to buy the 64 bit version and upgrade my XP machine.

I want to go to 4Gb maybe even 8Gb soon, so would need 64 bit, but I also play some games and think the 32 bit is the most compatible, I could be wrong. So if i at least had the option to install as 64 and/or 32 but, that would be the SOLD sign for me.....

anyone had any experience with this? is it true?

 

[.Froot.]

I don't use Windows myself but I do know that you buy Vista as EITHER 32-bit or 64-bit.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Keep in mind you'll need 64-bit hardware to install Vista 64-bit

64-bit won't run on x86 (32-bit) hardware.

 

[.Froot.]

Except of course if it is a dual core / core 2 quad or quad core Intel CPU....

 

[Pe-Killer]

It's true u can buy windows vista 64bit.(home, ulti whatever u want).Am not sure about vista on this but i tried once to install windows xp 64 bit with a windows xp 32bit cd-key and it didn't work.

 

[killadoob]

install 64 bit though anyhow if your going vista

its better than 32 bit and works just as well

 

[.Froot.]

Vista 32-bit XYZ and Vista 64-bit XYZ, or any 64-bit vs 32-bit OS of the same flavour are two different products. So the cd-keys are not exchangeable.

64-bit is simply also a lot faster than 32-bit (if you take a peek at processor intensive tests such as dvd-ripping, encoding,etc)

 

[CodeMaster]

Not true, I bought 3 DSP copies of Vista x64 Business with 3 new computers. I installed x64 on 2 of them, but then realized that 1 would need to be x86. All I did was download a not-so-legal AIO (all-in-one) DVD of Vista, installed the x86 version, but used the x64 cd key. It all installed and activated no problems.

Vista 32-bit XYZ and Vista 64-bit XYZ, or any 64-bit vs 32-bit OS of the same flavour are two different products. So the cd-keys are not exchangeable.

64-bit is simply also a lot faster than 32-bit (if you take a peek at processor intensive tests such as dvd-ripping, encoding,etc)

 

[ld13]

Vista 32-bit XYZ and Vista 64-bit XYZ, or any 64-bit vs 32-bit OS of the same flavour are two different products. So the cd-keys are not exchangeable.

Are you 100% sure? Because some other forums tend to disagree with you. Just depends what you are trying to do Exactly. ... I need to refresh more often ... What CodeMaster said, You just need the correct 32/64 bit media

 

[leelo]

Thanks Code Master, thats what I needed to hear.
I doubt I'd have a problem getting my fingers on 32 Bit media.

But yeah, I agree with dooby, if i was eventually caving and installing Vista on my Personal machine, I was always going to install 64bit. The only thing that worried me was that some "important" programs/games that I used would not have worked, but if that were the case, having bought 64bit, I could'v safely formated and install it as 32bit with the same key.

Stoked with that - though, I'll probably not have a problem with 64bit and love it (shudder that i say that about Vista)from the start.

OK thanks gaaz, just glad someone has tried it and it works.