Inspiron 1420 : Windows Vista 64 Bir Or 32Bit

[vaibhav.Kanwal]

Hi

I've just bought a Dell Inspiron 1420 with the following specs :

Intel Core 2 Duo T8300
4GB RAM 667MHz
128MB NVIDIA 8400M GS Dedicated Graphics
Intel Next-Gen Mini Wireless Card
250 GB 5200RPM HDD

I would like to install Windows Vista 64Bit due to the memory mapping problem associated with 32Bit OSs in order to utilise my 4GB RAM. I wonder if 64Bit Vista will run fine as i've heard that it occupies a lot of system resources, so even though i'll get more RAM, it'll actually run slower than a 32Bit OS!
Should i be content with running Vista 32Bit and forget my 750MB of RAM or go ahead with 64Bit?

[saqib_khan]

I think u shud be satisfied with that RAM & no need for 64 bit Vista.

I don't think there's a point in spending money again on 64 bit Vista, as ur 32 bit vista is also genuine, so y shell extra money & also there r very few softwares available which fully utilizes the potential of 64 bit OS.

In short, get satisfied with what u have.

[Charan]

^^^ AFAIK there is no seperate licences for 32 and 64 bit versions. you can use 32bit licence to activate 64 bit copy.

[Kush6]

+1. And since its a dell - there won't be any driver problems either. So you can safely go 64 bit - it has a slightly larger footprint but you will definitely see a good improvement in performance. plus, the Apps which are 64 bit will perform way better - of course you will have all 32 bit apps running too. But no support for legacy 16 bit apps - who runs that stuff anyways. Also, remember that once you convert your licence to 64 bit there is no turning back - you can't use it on a 32 bit OS again.

[vaibhav.Kanwal]

Originally Posted by khansaqib101

I think u shud be satisfied with that RAM & no need for 64 bit Vista.
In short, get satisfied with what u have.

Well, I have paid for every gigabyte of RAM in my system, Its very natural for me to demand the optimal use of my money! If there exists a way to fully use my 4Gigs of memory then why not?

And as Charan pointed out, i have license for 64 bit Vista already, just need to install it but before that wanted to know if it'll cause a slowdown compared to 32bit.

I checked Dell Website they have Drivers for 32bit Vista and NOT 64 bit but i've been able to get drivers for individual components from the manufacturer's site instead, the only issue is about performance and system resources.
Moreover, I understand that 32 Bit applications are backward compatible on 64 Bit, so that should not be a reason for concern.

[saqib_khan]

Originally Posted by Charan

^^^ AFAIK there is no seperate licences for 32 and 64 bit versions. you can use 32bit licence to activate 64 bit copy.

oop's..i didn't knew this thing.

[vaibhav.Kanwal]

Help me guys!

[Kush6]

go for it dude - if you're sure you have all the drivers - one little tip - install vista as an evaluation for 30 days and if you like it - enter the key - else reinstall the 32 bit version. Thi is because once you go bit you can't use the key ona 32 bit OS - another M$ annoyance - but weve gota live with it.