Washington - Buy a new copy of Windows Vista or a new
computer today, and you'll have a decision to make: Should you go for
the 64-bit version of Windows Vista, or the 32-bit version?
We've all been using various 32-bit versions of Windows for years
now, but clearly the future belongs to 64-bit computing. What do you
need to know before you get a jump on destiny? Here are some answers.
Q: Why would I want to run 64-bit Windows?
A: You'll get access to more system memory. The 32-bit versions of
Windows - Vista and XP - can access a maximum of 4 gigabytes (GB) of
system memory. In practice, however, some of that system memory is
reserved for the operating system and other processes, so your
applications end up with significantly less. It's not uncommon for a
computer with 4 GB of memory installed to have only 3 GB available
once the operating system and other processes stake their claim to
the memory.
While 3 GB may have seemed like a lot of memory a few years ago,
today all you need to do is run a memory-hungry photo program, load a
half-dozen large files, and you could be pushing the limits of your
installed memory.
The 64-bit version of Windows Vista can access much more than 4 GB
of RAM. Vista Ultimate, Enterprise, and Business can access 128 GB of
RAM. Home Premium can access 16 GB, while Home Basic will max out at
8 GB.
Having the ability to access more memory in your computer gives
you a couple of advantages. First, you can load more applications and
more files within those applications. Second, your overall computing
experience should be smoother, since swapping from one application to
another will hopefully take place in memory and not rely on caching
data to the hard drive, which slows you down.
Q: Is the 64-bit version of Windows Vista faster than the 32-bit
version?
A: Theoretically, the 64-bit version of Windows should allow your
computer to process twice as much data as a 32-bit operating system
in the same amount of time. In practice, though, you will not see a
doubling of performance with a 64-bit operating system, in part
because there are so many variables - both in hardware and software -
that must be optimised for 64-bit computing.
In fact, if you run the 64-bit version of Windows with only 4 GB
of system memory, you may find that the computer runs a tad slower
than with a 32-bit operating system due to the way computer
instructions are stored in memory in 64-bit systems - essentially,
they take up more space. So you should have more than 4 GB of memory
when running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you do, you should see a
slight real- world performance improvement when running a 64-bit
application.
Q: Are there any disadvantages with the 64-bit version of Windows?
A: Your primary concerns should be software compatibility and
drivers. Since 64-bit operating systems are not yet used as widely as
32-bit versions, not all computer software vendors have gotten around
to ensuring that their programs run properly under 64-bit Windows.
Many have, though. So before you install 64-bit Windows or buy a
computer with it pre-loaded, check your major software applications
to ensure that they're compatible.
You'll also want to make sure you can use all of your peripherals
- printer, scanner, Webcam - with 64-bit Windows. And that means
checking with the manufacturers to see whether 64-bit versions of the
appropriate driver software are available.
Q: Do I need a special computer to run 64-bit Vista?
A: No. Any computer you buy today - whether it comes with an Intel
processor or one from AMD - will run 64-bit operating systems. If you
have an older computer, find out which processor is in it, and check
the manufacturer's Web site to determine whether is 64-bit capable.
Q: I bought Windows Vista Home Premium, and only the 32-bit
version came in the box. Do I have to pay extra for the 64-bit
version?
A: No. Microsoft will ship you the 64-bit version at no charge.
The rule is that you can only run one of the versions, though, not
both. To get the 64-bit version after you've already purchased the
32-bit version, go to the '64-bit DVD' section at the bottom of this
page, and follow the instructions:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows- vista/compare-editions/64-
bi t.aspx.
Q: Is Microsoft phasing out 32-bit Vista?
A: No. But the company has announced that it is transitioning to
64-bit operating systems and applications beginning in 2009. Already
some Microsoft products are 64-bit only.
Windows 7, Vista's successor, will be released in both 32-bit and
64-bit versions, but in the server operating system arena, Microsoft
has indicated that the current Server 2008 product will be the last
32-bit server operating system. One can reasonably expect the
emphasis to shift heavily to 64-bit computing over the next year.
--- Have a computer question? Send it to the Computer Helper at
jayd@csi.com.
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