Hey guys I'm just about finished building my new computer, and I'm stuck on whether to get Windows Vista 64 bit or 32 bit. Price isn't an issue as I can get both copies for free from my university(one perk of being an engineering student). Now there's something I'm wondering about the 64bit version of Vista, do I need all of my software to support 64bit or will my old 32bit software still work on a Windows Vista 64bit installation? I know that I'll need new drivers but I was wondering if software like Civ4, or Nero etc.. will still work regularly or do I need to hunt down 64bit versions of my software?  
 
Thanks

All drivers must be 64-bit.  32-bit applications and games, however, generally work fine.  There may be a few exceptions to that rule, but in most of those cases you can just grab the 64-bit version.

I have Vista64 and 4GB and really great! The future is 64 and more than 3GB of RAM. Also, SP1 is just around the corner (I installed the RC1 last night).
 
If you really having a specific problem and need XP, you can buy or reuse a small HD and have dual boot controlled by BIOS. This is what I do and my 2nd HD is Server 2003 for development. Work great!
 
So, why don't you go 64, install mainly used programs, do some testing and see if you should go back to 32bits?

I think 64bit is the way to go... and as you said LoneEagle I can always go back to 32bit if it's not compatible with some of my software, plus this leaves me open to having 4 gigs of memory in the near future. Thanks for the help.

Glad I could help you. It been nearly a year since introduction of Vista. Software and drivers will all be 64bits in a near future. I don't think the next version of Windows to have 32 and 64bits version. It's will be probably only 64bits.

How do 32 bit and 64 bit Vista differ as far as performance goes?

The main reason was restriction to the amount of memory accessible. 32 bits only have a maximum of 4GB. There won't be really a huge difference in performance.
 
Anyway, the future is 64bits for sure. It like regular TV vs HDTV, we can't avoid it!

I don't think you can watch Flash content yet on 64 until Adobe brings out the 64 bit drivers or whatever. Microsoft won't be in a hurry to help either because their Silverlight competes directly with Flash.

Yes you can, but you must first do some tricks!
http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/215 [...] ash_player

Cheers. I'll try that soon..

Something to keep in mind is that if you get the 64-bit version and aren't really happy, like it doesn't work with all your programs. You can send for the 32-bit disc from MS for a small fee. Like shipping costs or something.
 
I bought the 64-bit knowing I had that option. Never needed to use it though.
 
Heres a link http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvi [...] fault.mspx

i've not having any trouble with flash at all with V 64 Ult.  (at least, not on my own web site which has flash vids, or with xtube).

I have read all the replys in this thread and as far as I can tell the only real cons to 64 bit vista is the drivers all need to be updated and a limitation for RAM. Is there any more Pros or Cons to 64 bit vs 32 bit??? I am trying to decide between 64 and 32 also.

I would give a try to Vista 64 before saying that I might have a driver's problem or whatever. It's been a year now and SP1 is now available has a beta to general public and the final version should be here soon.
 
You install it, update it to the latest, install your other applications, use it for a week and see by yourself. If everything is fine like me, why would you go back to 32?
 
It's up to you!

Because not enough applications run in 64-bit Vista.   This has been going on like forever.   There's even a list someone made up and posted here.   It might not be up to date but I doubt it's changed that much.    
 
If you want to be able to use any application and program, 32-bit is still the version to get, I think.  

Not enough applications run??.  I guess that'd be correct if you included all the old 16 bit crap, old old games, and software that's a couple versions behind..
 
I actually *have* the OS, and it's run everything I've put on it.

Many of us are running Vista 64 and really like it. You might hit the odd app here or there that won't run but it's pretty rare at this point. If you have any older, less mainstream apps you need to run simply check them out ahead of time. Vista 64 rocks pretty well.

You shouldn't have any problems with 64-bit as long as your hardware is fairly new. Even the older stuff is getting more support. (When I say older, I mean 3 or more years) The cons mentioned here are valid, some drivers issues, some software issues. For most, these wont be a problem. The PROS... are still yet to come. Its more of a move to be future proof. That is, until they actually start making 64-bit apps. Then you will know for sure if it is a good move. Which I'm sure it will be. It will be another 2-3 years before the majority of apps offer a 64-bit version.
 
The real issue to consider (which I'm sure you have) is whether VISTA is right for you. In that case: It depends on what you use your computer for. If you use any special software for work you need to check with the manufacturer to make sure Vista is supported. Photoshop is not supported, for example. The Gimp is a good FREE Photoshop alternative for those not in the professional arena.  
 
Games would be the other thing to consider. If you play some really old game religiously then you would also want to check for support. The oldest game I play is Quake 3 and it runs fine. (cira 1998?)
 
I'm happy I made the 64-bit plunge. Now I wait to reap the benefits.....*crickets*

 
CS3 installed and runs fine on my Vista 64. Now I have never checked to see if they 'officially support it' neither am I a regular user of PS. Do you have any more info on this? I guess there may be a few bugs yet on some systems and Adobe will not guarantee you will get it working. Is that the idea?
 
Don't forget the RAM benefit. You can actually get your full 4 gig or more used on a 64 bit OS.

http://arstechnica.com/journals/mi [...] duct-lines
 
I was under certain understandings given a bit of research. If the support for PS has changed since I did my research I apologize for spreading old info. I was under the impression that Adobe was anti-vista and were going to try to make it hard for the new OS. I guess more people adopted it than they thought and were forced to support it in the face of losing revenue. The linked PDF in the article seems to be a revision of their earlier stance on the OS.