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Microsoft Vista - Which to use 32 or 64 bit?
Friday, January 12, 2007 - posted by Tom Mohamed
Microsoft Windows Vista is the next operating system that is to replace Windows XP.
The delivery of Vista has been delayed several times, but is due to be released to the public by end of January 2007 and to accommodate these changes; you'll need to purchase more memory and a 3-D graphics accelerator.
But for many gamers or someone that wants to use more than 2GB of memory, 32 bits won't do any good, however finding 64-bit software drivers is a bit difficult at the moment as many manufacturers have been concentrating creating 32-bit drivers.
So what is 64-bit processing anyway?
When we talk about "bits" as applied to computer processors, we're talking about the maximum-size number that the processor's registers can store and handle at one time. This means a 64-bit processor can handle numbers that are twice as large as those handled by a 32-bit processor.
So what does this mean to you?
Just as the transition from 16-bit to 32-bit PCs in the 1980s greatly increased computing power, the leap from 32-bit to 64-bit will double the amount of data that a processor can handle on each clock cycle.
A big advantage of the 64-bit system is its ability to support more system memory. Most computer users know that programs run faster (and you can run more programs simultaneously) if you add more RAM. Unfortunately, 32-bit chips can generally only address up to 4GB of memory, the 64-bit system can address up to to16GB of memory.
Increased security features with the 64-bit system has been the main improvement to date and with Microsoft recently revealing that no 32-bit versions of Windows Vista will be able to play back "next generation high definition protected content" (translation - studio-released BluRay and HD-DVD movies), it seems like in 12 - 18 months the popularity of 64-bit systems will increase dramatically.
So what do you?
To save money and time, buying a computer that is already 64-bit Vista Ready with all the hardware required including a decent 3D Graphic card, and with at least 1024 Mb of Memory would be the way to go. Once your ready to use Vista 64-bit, just backup your files, format your hard drive and install Vista 64 and see the difference.
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