Poll: XP vs Vista (2008)

[Which OS do you prefer?]

Which OS do you prefer?

XP Home

 14 (13.1%)

XP Pro 32 bit

 47 (43.9%)

XP Pro 64 bit

 6 (5.6%)

Vista 32 bit

 24 (22.4%)

Vista 64 bit

 11 (10.3%)

Other (Linux 32 or 64)

 5 (4.7%)

Total Members Voted: 105

[Spawn]

It is only advantageous if you are working with very large numbers, or if you need to do large file memory mapping.

J.A. Coutts

This is a very subjective statement.

It is an advantage for those wanting the most out of their PC with regard to speed as well.  Clearly, in benchmark tests and in personal use, a 64 bit OS runs faster than a 32 bit OS.  Particularly in the case of Vista.

Spawn

[couttsj]

This is a very subjective statement.

It is an advantage for those wanting the most out of their PC with regard to speed as well.  Clearly, in benchmark tests and in personal use, a 64 bit OS runs faster than a 32 bit OS.  Particularly in the case of Vista.

Spawn

It is not subjective at all, and it is not just my opinion. Wikipedia has a very good write up at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/64-bit

Virtually all of the latest Intel processors have an X86-64 core, and are capable of running the 64 Bit instruction set as well as the 32 Bit instruction set. But unless you are running a 64 Bit Operating System, as well as programs compiled with a 64 Bit compiler, there is no real advantage. In fact, there may be some disadvantages as outlined in the Wikipedia page. There are many conflicting views on this subject, but I find the above article to be well rounded and free of hype.

J.A. Coutts

[Spawn]

It is not subjective at all, and it is not just my opinion.

Actually, yes, it is subjective, and I never said it was just your opinion.  It simply isn't true.  A 64 bit OS is faster than a 32bit OS.  Particularly in Vista. Opinions vary, but benchmarks do not.  A quick search yielded all of the various tests confirming this.  Here is just one of many:

http://64-bit-computers.com/windows-vista-32-bit-vs-64-bit-benchmark.html

But unless you are running a 64 Bit Operating System, as well as programs compiled with a 64 Bit compiler, there is no real advantage.

This is simply not true.  Again, benchmark tests (as well as my own personal experience) have confirmed that a 64bit OS is faster than a 32bit OS.  That's not an opinion; it's a fact.

Spawn

*edit:  By the way, you do know that anyone can edit a Wikipedia article, right?

[myminpins]

Vista 32 bit.

(1) more stable than XP
(2) "prettier" than XP - I love Aero
(3) easier install than XP
(4) now that I'm used to it, I really prefer it.