Poll: 32 bit vs 64 bit (2008)

[If given the choice, which OS structure would you use exclusively?]

If given the choice, which OS structure would you use exclusively?

32 Bit

 18 (37.5%)

64 Bit

 30 (62.5%)

Total Members Voted: 48

[Black Viper]

Discuss the "why's" you have chosen a particular bit depth structure below, such as:
1) More memory availability
2) Less power
3)

No flaming others for their opinion, but constructive complements and criticism is welcome.

[tonster]

this is a tough one.....
today i'd use 32 bit.
in a year when i upgrade, i'd say 64 bit....gotta have that 4 or 8 gb of ram, baby!
My reasoning right now is that there are STILL games that don't run on 64 bit vista/xp.  I'm an IT guy part time at work, so at home I don't wanna tinker.  Like the saying goes..."A mechanics car is always broke down". 
Short answer for me....gotta get to my 50 posts  
Seeya BV.

[golfhou]

I am using XP Pro 64 bit for the expanded RAM support capability. If there was not a specific XP Pro driver, the Vista 64 bit driver usually worked. Sometimes with a bit of "tweaking". 

[Spawn]

64-bit, hands down.

The performance is only going to get better as software and hardware vendors get on board as well. 

Spawn

[Warthog]

32. Tried Vista 64, too many compatability problems.

[Myrm]

Definately 64-bit.  The compatibility issues are getting better by the day.

[Spawn]

Definately 64-bit.  The compatibility issues are getting better by the day.

Yeah, and it's the future....looks good.

[IH8U]

I purchased 64 bit Xp when it came out and I had no trouble getting drivers for my pc. The problems I had at the time was a lot of my software and games would not work properly. I eventually went back to 32 bit pro. I will make the switch when 64 bit is a bit more mainstream. For now 32 bit does what I need.

[Vulcan]

I would love to be able to run a 64 bit OS just to get the extra ram but 64 WinXP has been basic abandoned (try and find a wireless card 64 bit driver!!) and 64 bit Vista just has no driver support. That leaves Linux which I am dual booting but it has its own issues.....Right now its just not time to move to a 64 bit OS until the masses do so that the driver support is there.

[Spawn]

64 bit Vista just has no driver support.

This is absolutely not true, and it unfairly adds to the Vista half-truths populated around the 'net.  There is plenty of driver support.  People need to start giving fair representations instead of having a play on words or phrases. Are there some things that have driver difficulty?  Sure.  But no driver support?  C'mon.

Spawn

[Vulcan]

Have a look at a few printer companies support website and see what they have for Vista 64 bit drivers. Same is true for video camera and fancy keyboards/mice. On a side note I hate software that sees that you are not running Win2K or XP and stops the install for no good reason other than that. I am sure the software would run on Vista other than that. My most recent experience with this was with Avid Pro (video software).

[MilesAhead]

Dang!!! I always wanted to try one of those DEC Alpha 64 bit machines but
I was never in the same room with one!!

Some CPU maker should get smart and subsidize a Windows 64 bit OS so we
could buy it cheap and get hooked.  I was thinking maybe $12.95 might be
a good price.  Nobody wants to throttle back after running at high performance. 

[Spawn]

Have a look at a few printer companies support website and see what they have for Vista 64 bit drivers. Same is true for video camera and fancy keyboards/mice.

I have two different printers that have worked great for me, and I have the latest wireless mice and keyboards which have great 64-bit support as well.

On a side note I hate software that sees that you are not running Win2K or XP and stops the install for no good reason other than that. I am sure the software would run on Vista other than that. My most recent experience with this was with Avid Pro (video software).

There is a nice workaround for that.  You can disable the digital signature feature of Vista, which will allow you to install that software.

[johnsal914]

I have Vista 64-Bit and love it even though that many companies are reluctant to issue software compatible for Vista 64. One of the biggest features is the elimination of the 4Gig Memory limitation. I do notice a significant disk performace increase from going from 32-bit to 64-bit. My PC was fast even with 32-bit so I really can't say I notice a huge increase in performace but I'm sure with a good bench testing tool I would see a big difference.

I'm wondering if anyone is developing 128-Bit structure. I'm sure that is at least 7 years from now.

[grandpa]

using xp pro 32 bits. tried the 64 bits version long time ago,
but at that time we had driver problems.

to day xp pro is a stable and very good operating system.

my old customers are still using the 32 bit version,
so i have to stick with it as well.