On Sat, 15 May 2010 04:15:53 +0200, "Niels Baekmann" <12.34@56.78>
wrote:
> 64 bit better than 32 bit ?
The advantage of running a 64-bit version of Windows mostly exists
only if you also run 64-bit applications under it. Bear in mind that
there are very few such applications available yet. If you are
presently running 32-bit Windows, you don't have any 64-bit
applications, so to achieve any significant advantage, you not only
have to replace Windows, but also your applications, *if* (and that's
a big "if") 64-bit versions exist.
Also note that you will need 64-bit drivers for all your hardware.
Those drivers may not all be available, especially if some of your
hardware is a few years old. So it's possible that you might also have
to replace things like your printer, scanner, etc.
So the answer to your question is that it may not be a great idea
right now. That will undoubtedly change in the near future, as 64-bit
applications become more available, but for now, 64-bit Windows often
means some extra trouble and expense for little or no benefit.
On the other hand, installing 64-bit Windows instead of 32-bit Windows
makes you able to buy 64-bit software as it becomes available, instead
of the older 32-bit versions. That means that installing 64-bit
Windows--even though it may do very little for you at present--puts
you into a better position for the future.
One additional point: the 64-bit version lets you use more than the
approximately 3.1GB of RAM that the 32-bit version can use. Very few
people need or can make effective use of more than 3.1GB, but if you
are one of those who can, that's something else to consider.
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003