New PC coming with 64 bit Vista but I think its a 32bit machine...problem?

[Rudyard]

A new PC has just been ordered. It comes with Vista 64bit OEM DVD.
How will this effect things as the processor is 32bit (I dont understand it all properly, maybe it doesnt matter?).

Are there any negatives to this and should I ask for a 32bit version??

These are the specs of the PC:
1 x Antec Three Hundred Tower Gaming Case (No PSU)
1 x Huntkey V Power True 500W ATX Power Supply
1 x ASUS P35 Core 2 Quad LGA775 ATX Motherboard
Socket 775, Support Quad Core, P35, 4 x DDR2, 4 x SATA2, 1 x PCIEx16, 2 x PCI, 3 x PCIex1, Gigabit LAN, 8-channel High Definition Audio, ATX
1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU S775, 2.66GHz, 1333FSB, 2x6Mb
New!! Intel Quad Core 45nm Processor

Total 4Gb DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 2Gb DDR2 PC-6400 240-pin 800MHz RAM for Desktop PC)

1 x nVidia GeForce 9600GSO 384Mb DDR3 PCI-X SLI Video Card (+ $57.00)
NEW!!384MB 192-bit GDDR3, Core clock: 550MHz, Memory clock: 1600MHz, DirectX 10, 2x Dual-Link DVI, HDTV, Fan, powerfully immersive entertainment experience designed for extreme high-definition gaming and video playback. Watch the latest HD DVD and Blu-ray movies with brilliant clarity.

1 x Integrated HD 7.1 Audio
1 x Leadtek DTV1000S Digital PCI HD TV Tuner Card

Total 1TB (1000Gb) Hard Drive ( 2 x 500Gb SATA Hard Drive )

1 x 20x Dual Layer DVD-DL/DVD+/-R/RW/Ram IDE Drive
1 x PCI IEEE 1394 Firewire Card
1 x 108G 802.11g/b Wireless LAN PCI Card
1 x Acer P241WB 24" Widescreen LCD 2MS Black Colour, 2ms, 1920 x 1200 Resolution, 3000:1, D-SUB, DVI, HDMI (with HDCP)

1 x Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium OEM DVD (64-bit)

[FulciLives]

As far as I can tell there is nothing here that can't handle 64-bit so where are you getting the "this computer is 32-bit" idea ???

Having said that you will probably have HELL trying to get a 64-bit system set up properly with all the special drivers and shit you need in 64-bit versions.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Rudyard]

As far as I can tell there is nothing here that can't handle 64-bit so where are you getting the "this computer is 32-bit" idea ???

Having said that you will probably have HELL trying to get a 64-bit system set up properly with all the special drivers and shit you need in 64-bit versions.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

I thought you needed a special 64bit processor to run 64 bit stuff and as such a special motherboar to take the processor? I must be mistaken.

I dont like hell and as such can I simply run 32bit software if I encounter 64bit problems?? I have only 1 or so program that has every had a 64 bit install option. Will it run all the 32bit software and drivers or does everything NEED to be 64 bit??

[johns0]

Most 32 bit programs will run in vista64.Only drivers have to be 64 bit.Not too hard to setup vista 64 if you are careful in what you install.

[Ethlred]

I thought you needed a special 64bit processor to run 64 bit stuff and as such a special motherboar to take the processor? I must be mistaken.

Yes and no. No you are not mistake that a 64 bit processor is required. Yes you are mistaken that you have a 32 bit processor. Fulci was wondering where you got that idea. So am I.

1 x Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 CPU S775, 2.66GHz, 1333FSB, 2x6Mb
New!! Intel Quad Core 45nm Processor

That IS a 64 bit processor. ALL Core 2 processors are 64 bit. Its hard to get anything except a 64 bit processor these days.

I dont like hell and as such can I simply run 32bit software if I encounter 64bit problems?? I have only 1 or so program that has every had a 64 bit install option. Will it run all the 32bit software and drivers or does everything NEED to be 64 bit??

All the drivers will need to be 64 bit. Who did you order it from or is it just parts for you to put together? To get full use of the 4gigs you will need the 64bit OS.

Some manufacturers are producing all 64 bit systems. I have seen them at work (Fry's Electronics). I suspect some of the people buying them will be going through hell. Some games won't run on a 64 bit OS. Many utilities won't AND don't warn you. They just say Vista on the box and make no mention that is ONLY the 32 bit version. This is fun.

I just love the smell of burning customers in the return line. It smells like stupidity.

Manufacturer's stupidity too bloody often.

[FulciLives]

I'm still using WinXP here but I thought I read that the SP1 update to Vista made it possible for the OS to "see" and "use" all 4GB when 4GB is installed on the motherboard.

Anyone know for sure?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[RLT69]

Vista made it possible for the OS to "see" and "use" all 4GB when 4GB is installed on the motherboard.

Wow you are right. I thought you were incorrect, sorry.

http://www.windowsvistaweblog.com/2007/05/30/the-tale-of-the-4gb-ram-and-windows-vista-64-bit/

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=1292561&SiteID=17

So I guess Vista64 has issues with 4GB of RAM.

Looks like it's fixed with SP1

http://www.vistax64.com/vista-installation-setup/157055-can-i-clean-install-vista-ulti...untouched.html

I think I'll stick with Linux or Solaris for 64 bit computing

[johns0]

I'm still using WinXP here but I thought I read that the SP1 update to Vista made it possible for the OS to "see" and "use" all 4GB when 4GB is installed on the motherboard.

Anyone know for sure?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

With SP1, Windows Vista will report the amount of system memory installed rather than report the amount of system memory available to the OS. Therefore 32-bit systems equipped with 4GB of RAM will report all 4GB in many places throughout the OS, such as the System Control Panel. However, this behavior is dependent on having a compatible BIOS, so not all users may notice this change.

[edDV]

Since you are in a video site be warned that many of the major programs are still 32bit (although many run on 64bit OS). Manufacturers like Adobe, BlackMagic, Avid, etc. recommend against using 64bit Vista. You may also have difficulty with peripheral drivers. Do research on the hardware and applications you intend to use.

The "market" for Vista 64 bit is developers and multitaskers that need more than 4GB RAM.

[John]

I was under the impression that only vista 32 had problems with memory greater than 3 gig, 64 bit sees it all, I have 64 bit vista with 3 gig but it never uses more than 50% no matter what im doing.

[Rudyard]

Yes and no. No you are not mistake that a 64 bit processor is required. Yes you are mistaken that you have a 32 bit processor. Fulci was wondering where you got that idea. So am I.

I got the idea from never seeing anything advertised as a 64bit processor. I didnt think they were that mainstream. Good to know.

Since you are in a video site be warned that many of the major programs are still 32bit (although many run on 64bit OS). Manufacturers like Adobe, BlackMagic, Avid, etc. recommend against using 64bit Vista. You may also have difficulty with peripheral drivers. Do research on the hardware and applications you intend to use.

The "market" for Vista 64 bit is developers and multitaskers that need more than 4GB RAM.

We will need to run CAD and design software on this machine with large scale printers which are quite old, where as my video editing is a fav hobby. I think I will ring them and tell them to install 32bit as I dont think I am (or the others that use this PC) willing to risk the trouble of our equipment not working, especially when I dont really know much about the 64bit world.

Thanks for all your advice.