x64 Vista Ultimate Installed

[Tech_Greek]

So,

I decided, on a whim, to install x64 (I have the privellage of having whatever OS, etc due to MSDN Access, thanks boss!).

So far, I havent had a single problem with drivers, etc...but I have a question that maybe someone with more experience in x64 can handle (I already read as much articles as I could!).

What's the difference between x86 and x64 of IE in x64 Vista, I mean do the extra 32 byte's count THAT much in there? I really havent had a problem with IE slowing down.

Also, I was under the assumption that x64 could handle more than the 3.3GB of ram shannigans, well apparently not, it still says 3.3GB of ram and I know I physically have FOUR GB in there.

Other than that the OS defintley runs faster! It's as smooth if not SMOOTHER than XP off of a fresh install! (I know crazy right? but it really IS! and drive support isnt bad like it was with xp pro x64)!

[Zelig]

Difference between 32-bit and 64-bit IE; not much, but MS wanted to make sure to provide native 64-bit versions of everything with their OS. Plugins must be 32 or 64 bit depending on the browser, so depending on which sites you use, that limits the usefulness of the 64-bit version, as there's no 64-bit flash player yet.

You often need to enable "Memory hole for PCI MMIO" in the BIOS, or something similar to get your BIOS to recognize over 3.3 GB of ram, have you done that?

Vista x64 is my Windows OS of choice now, nothing like the mess that XP X64 was.

[KnightRid]

I am glad to hear some success stories for Vista X64. I tried running it and ran into HUGe problems everywhere, from drivers to the IE64bit not working on certain websites, to programs not running at all..argh

Hope the success stories keep building!!! Maybe i will try it again after SP1 comes out ;)

Mike

Honestly, I never saw a speed difference between the 64bit and the 32bit I am running now. Well except the slowdown in the 64bit version when running 32bit apps.

[Tech_Greek]

The way I read it, and I could be wrong...

Basically back in the day the first proccesor I think was a 4bit proccesor and it could only do four sets of commands at a time or something along those lines, so it basically was a math proccesor then they moved on up to 8, then 16, then eventually the 32, and now we're at 64.

So, to me having an extra 32 bit of 'leeway' to boot seems like a good idea, hell we already have a 64 bit proccesor why not utilize it? I've seen some of the things they were able to pull off in gaming (mainly Far Cry that I have) and it defintley does make a difference, I remember I used to have problems with it drawing out long distances, no more.

As far as drivers, everything down to my crappy little HP Laser Jet that's almost three years old now has drivers, hell I didnt even have to install any drivers when I booted into x64 the first time, it recognized everything (even my TV Tuner, which it doesnt in x86) of course I still downloaded the latest versions but that never stopped me from testing it.

Start up is the biggest gain of speed I'd say...but things like clicking an item in the start menu and the little lag that it has are no longer there anymore (off of a fresh install of x86).

I also think some of the patches helped out a TON!

I'm still trying to figure out why there's not an x64 flash yet... :S x64 Silverlight Soon maybe?

[stopthekilling77]

good stuff, i'm going to pick up another 2G kit along with Windows XP Pro 64-bit in a few months, and i can't wait to see what it'll be like

[Tech_Greek]

Noooo dont waste your money on x64 (or trade in MCE or whatever) it was CRAP in terms of drivers...Vista is MUCH better...

[largon]

I gave Vista 64bit a shot but it failed to impress.
As you can guess 64bit driver support sucks 455.

No major problems with 32bit so far...

[Tech_Greek]

I agree most drivers werent avaliable on the x64 of pro, but in Vista EVERY SINGLE AFTERMARKET (from my joystick to my sound card) had a driver already there, plus aftermarket ones.

I'm telling you guys, I took the plunge, and it was GREAT

[Mad_Goku]

Hope the success stories keep building!!! Maybe i will try it again after SP1 comes out ;)

Any word on when Sp1 is due?

[KnightRid]

Hope the success stories keep building!!! Maybe i will try it again after SP1 comes out ;)

Any word on when Sp1 is due?

Depends where you read - sometime before the end of 2008 is about the closest you cna get

http://4sysops.com/archives/windows-vis ... fore-2008/
http://arstechnica.com/journals/microso ... -vista-sp1

Mike

I also thought more 64bit native apps would be out by now to give a boost to the 64bit cpu and OS, but there jsut arent many. I hope by the time SP1 gets around taht it will be worthwhile to upgrade to vista64bit and not have compatibility issues.

[Tech_Greek]

Most of the 32bit applications that are big (note: CS3, etc) are 64 bit compliant and do decrease load times, etc.

My CPU usage rarely ever goes up as high as it used to!

I'm going to build a new machine based on it this go around for gaming only and I'm thinking about selling my Xbox 360.

[KnightRid]

Most of the 32bit applications that are big (note: CS3, etc) are 64 bit compliant and do decrease load times, etc.

My CPU usage rarely ever goes up as high as it used to!

I'm going to build a new machine based on it this go around for gaming only and I'm thinking about selling my Xbox 360.

That should be - Most of the NEW 32bit....

If you run any older software, it is NOT 64bit compliant and it DOES slow the system down. If you have everything brand new and keep updating the software to the new versions, then you will be OK.

Mike

everything out there NEW should work fine on 64bit, thats not the problem. Older software will not use the 64bit addresses and can cause HUGE problems and slow downs.

[stopthekilling77]

hmmm. i'm skeptical about Vista. i've been using XP Pro for a long time now and i really dont see any reason for me to do Vista since i dont really care for the "mesmerizing OS graphics"

if i did go to vista, how are the drivers for the 8-series cards from nVidia cause i'm going to upgrade eventually lol

i'm so confused... i didnt think there was anything wrong with xp pro 64-bit

[Zelig]

hmmm. i'm skeptical about Vista. i've been using XP Pro for a long time now and i really dont see any reason for me to do Vista since i dont really care for the "mesmerizing OS graphics"

No need to use the fancy graphics, see my Vista desktop:

if i did go to vista, how are the drivers for the 8-series cards from nVidia cause i'm going to upgrade eventually lol

They're good now, I'd say comparable to XP.

i'm so confused... i didnt think there was anything wrong with xp pro 64-bit

It's a wreck, driver support-wise, it's based off of the server 2003 code base, no XP drivers work with it, meaning a huge number of products don't, and never will function at all.

[stopthekilling77]

okay well i'm gonna start a new thread, i dont want to hijack this one! thanks!