32-bit/64-bit Vista?

[jcosmide]

Hi all,

 

I'm trying to figure out which version of Vista Ultimate to buy for running on my Intel core duo with Boot Camp, and even after doing a fair amount of searching on this forum, I have no idea what 32-bit or 64-bit refer to, nor what x86 is.

 

How do I know what I have and what I need?

 

Thanks in advance.

[FreakyMac]

Ok, Welcome to the Forum and

 

x86 is another name for 32-bit or Intel

x64 is usually refered to the Intel Itanium Processor or AMD 64

 

Get the 32-bit edition of Vista for your Mac.

 

~FreakyMac

[apowerr]

If your processor is a Core Duo, your only choice is x86 (32 bit).

[dreamof3d]

I have a Mac Pro, 2 dual-core 2.6ghz xeons and 6 gig ram with an ATI X1900 512 mb graphics. I run Vista Ultimate 64 bit on its own 250 gig drive and it litteraly screams much faster than any "windows machine" I have ever seen. If you purchase Vista Ultimate from Microsoft, you get both 32 & 64 bit versions. Too bad it set me back $399.00 but when I need Windows OS, I have the best. The biggest difference is that the 32 bit version will only see 2 gig of ram. The 64 bit i know "sees" more than 16 gig. Running Cinebench from Maxon, I only saw a minor advantage in speed compared to what one would expect from 64 bit. Best thing is that Vista eats over 1 gig just lying there, so with sofware like Maya, Photoshop, and others running at once, the machine still breathes easily because it can use all 6 gig it has.

 

It's really the only reason I use the 64bit. Downside is lack of Mac hardware drivers for 64 bit. Can't wait for Leapord. Guess for now I'll just have to right-click-eject

my cd drive, and use the mouse for volume control etc. Not a big deal....Hope this helped some. Oh btw, Vista rates your machine for preformance. Out of a possible score of 6 being best, my Mac Pro scores a 5.4. Scores are averaged based on the lowest of several tests.My processor,memory and graphics scored a 5.9,5.9, and 5.8 respectively. My final score came from drive preformance at 5.4. This thing flies, but I love my Mac.....

 

I believe all Core 2 duo's can run 64bit

[Gjeret]

Sorry.. read this and I just had to reply....

 

x86 is another name for 32-bit or Intel -- Correct (include AMD here...)

x64 is usually referred to the Intel Itanium Processor or AMD 64 -- Incorrect

x64 is an AMD 64 bit Processor or any Intel Processor that supports EMT64 (Xeons from the past two years, Most Core and Pentium D Processors, Some of the Pentium Extreme) It is based on x86 architecture

 

OSes that were built for x86 will run nativity on x64, they do not run on IA64. In IA64 windows, anything not compiled for IA64 will run through WOW (Windows on Windows) and will run at bus speed (600 mhz is the norm)

IA64 is Itanium, it is a RISC chip, completely different from the x86 architecture. It is about the same as PPC vs Intel x86. Itaniums are usually sold as MASSIVE Database machines or cad workstations, they are very good at crunching numbers

 

 

 

Ok.. off my soapbox, back to the thread

 

 

 

-Gj-

 

http://gjeret.spaces.live.com

[FireSlash]

Even if you get drivers, you probably won't want to run Vista x64. A number of programs and devices do not work under x64, and vendors don't seem to really care about writing those drivers.

 

This also affects a number of applications, including security software.

 

You'll notice most vendors are still shipping their PCs with vista x86, even though 64bit processors have been on their systems for over a year now.

[Azurael]

Rubbish. I've been running 64-bit Windows since 2k3/XP AMD64 came out and certainly, in the early days there were problems, especially with device drivers from more obscure manufacturers. These days, with Vista x64, the only thing I've run into which wouldn't work straight away was NFS carbon, and even that unstable POS got fixed in the end (didn't make it a better game though!)

[Davejb]

Just so you know, if you purchase the retail copy of Vista, not the OEM, the included product key is good for the 32 and 64 bit versions. The retail package either includes the 32 and 64 bit install DVD, or you can send away for the 64 bit install DVD for a minimal fee (I forget which).

[Superhai]

i have used xp x64 and now also vista x64... most cases there are no problems and the overall experience is a quicker and more responsive os than 32 bit equivalent. The apps that you want, do work as they do on 32 bit os with some exceptions, but thats usually crappy apps or which do need special access to the system. Of course dedicated 64 bit apps are different. But they are few. I have drivers for everything I own, but you have to be careful when you buy new things and older stuff are mostly not supported.

[Tracks]

i've been asking myself that very same question recently, as i plan to pick up a copy of vista. inbetween all the "don't bother, nothing works" and "{censored}, all works perfect" statements that you find on the net, the fact that you can't access mac partitions under 64-bit vista pretty much ruled that one out for me. apparently there is no 64-bit macdrive support and i couldn't find any other alternative software. hints would be much appreciated.

 

as mentioned above, i think it's smart to pick up the 32-bit version and pay that little extra fee to at least give 64-bit a try

[kkrull]

I had the Vista x64 verison running fine nine months ago but couldn't get the Atheros wireless drivers for x64 and went back to x86. This has since been fixed.

 

Over the upcoming year end holiday I will be reinstalling everything and will switch to Vista x64. I expect there to be issues with advanced bluetooth profiles, which is ok. Also, since Vista won't run unsigned drivers on x64, an old scanner and printer will need to be discarded, which is probably overdue anyway. I don't expect any application trouble.

 

Go for x64.