64 bit vista question?

Question

i just bought a new laptop and it has 64 bit vista installed. the thing is that it comes with a cd that says 64-bit/32-bit with SP1 and will let me reinstall vista but in 32 bit instead according to the instructions. my question is that are there enough compatability issues to reinstall to 32 bit and just say goodbye to that 1 gig of ram(it has 4 gb)? also if i did that would the cd let me reinstall back to 64 bit if i chose to do so?

Answer 1

SP1 was supposed to fix the 4 gig issue that is on 32bit and it does read 4 gigs but in real application use it tends to only read 3.whatever gigs. Not really a big issue if your programs are all working fine and drivers are good.  Since Vista release I have ran 64bit quite a bit and also 32bit.  I just never found a real application that took advantage of 64bit bus so I ended up switching back to 32 due to a few driver issues.  It all depends on your experience and with a laptop you already have 64bit drivers so it comes down to personal preference.

Answer 2

Before you downgrade, I'm sure you have good reasons to...consider this

32-bit means it can only address 2^32 (2 to the 32nd power) = 4GB memory spaces.

That would be RAM + VRAM + other devices on Motherboard, etc.  

e.g. If you have a 1 GB VRAM, you will prolly only be able to get 2.7GB user RAM approx.

32-bit vs. 64-bit Vista comparison table…

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/04...

It’s mega-fast with 64-bit apps as well as lets you upgrade > 4GB TOTAL RAM (system RAM + graphics card + other devices).  64-bit is more secure from viruses.  64-bit also requires “MS approved” (a.k.a. digitally signed) drivers so this “might” help with hardware compatibility, etc.  This is MS’s way of trying to get everyone to “move on” if they are able to.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/06/04...

But if you have really old programs, they might not work (esp. with 64-bit version).  Google “Vista compatibility list”.  Knowing a bit about computers helps getting the old problematic ones to work (Internet has a lot of solutions that smart people share).

Vista uses extra RAM to store commonly used files in a new activity known as “disk caching” (SuperFetch). The computer uses artificial intelligence to determine which files will be used most and copies it to RAM (where it is much faster than accessing your hard disk).  This includes components of the programs you use on a regular basis.  When you need more RAM for programs you launch, etc. the computer purges the “least likely used” files from RAM to make room for the new program.  So in theory, the more RAM (for disk cache) you have, the faster your computer will operate.  This can also be augmented (to a lesser effect) with a flash drive/card with a technology called ReadyBoost.  Just stick it in and select “Speed up my system” and leave it there. Google “AnandTech ReadyBoost Performance” for basic test examples.

Understanding how SuperFetch uses RAM to enhance system performance…

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window...

High RAM will be especially helpful for those people who like to leave all their windows open and use Vista’s “S3 sleep mode” (2 watts) so they can resume where they left off almost immediately after they turn their computers on.  Your apps are pre-opened where you left them and your RAM cache is loaded too, just as if you just walked away and came back.

This one's a bit technical, but it describes some of the nitty-gritty of 64-bit technology.

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/10/16/...

Considering this, SuperFetch is probably the most significant feature that distinguishes Vista from all other OS's for the users across the board.  Many other features won't be noticeable or even used by the common person (that is until commercial developers start using WPF/WFC etc., and even more DX10).  So why not take advantage of it?

If this is any indication that 64-bit is the wave of the future and 32-bit will be “obsolete”…

“There appears to be a shift taking place in the PC industry: the move from 32-bit to 64-bit PCs.

We've been tracking the change by looking at the percentage of 64-bit PCs connecting to Windows Update, and have seen a dramatic increase in recent months. The installed base of 64-bit Windows Vista PCs, as a percentage of all Windows Vista systems, has more than tripled in the U.S. in the last three months, while worldwide adoption has more than doubled during the same period.  Another view shows that 20% of new Windows Vista PCs in the U.S. connecting to Windows Update in June were 64-bit PCs, up from just 3% in March. Put more simply, usage of 64-bit Windows Vista is growing much more rapidly than 32-bit. Based on current trends, this growth will accelerate as the retail channel shifts to supplying a rapidly increasing assortment of 64-bit desktops and laptops.”

http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/window...

Answer 3

I'd suggest  you try running the programs you want, and hook up the hardware you have, see if it is all supported under 64 bit.  If it works, keep the 64 bit, if it doesn't, then install the 32 bit version.

From what you describe, it sounds like the system CD you've got would allow you to re-install the 64 bit version.