32 bit, 64 bit question

[gomer309]

As i go around the forum, trying to learn about different things, and move to
different links for suggested things to look at, i sometimes come across
downloads which say to download this for a 32-bit and something else for a 64-bit.

I have Windows XP SP2, auto updates fully on
Norton 2008 (yeah i know, you guys don't like it, but its worked for me for over 5
years, no viruses)

Where can i look in my system to know if i have 32 or 64 bit.  I've done some online
searches but it's hard to know where to go when you're not sure the question

Thanks again

[Deerpark]

Right click "My Computer" and select properties.
Select the General tab.
If it under System: says "Professional x64 Edition" it is the the 64 bit version. If not it is the 32 bit version.

[homer]

genuine rule of thumb, "if you dont know what version it is, its 32bit."

[patio]

If you had 64Bit Windows you would already know it because 1/2 of your drivers would not be running properly...

 

[homer]

If you had 64Bit Windows you would already know it because 1/2 of your drivers would not be running properly...

 

i have heard the same thing. i really want to get the 64bit version of vista to take advantage of my 4gb of RAM, but at the same time i have to ponder,"is it really worth the headache of dealing with 64bit drivers for that extra 800mb of RAM?"

[Deerpark]

I read an article recently on Tom's Hardware that stated you need more than 4 GB of RAM to see any advantage from switching to 64 bit. With "only" 4 GB of RAM you may actually see less free RAM available on a 64 bit OS compared to the same system with a 32 bit OS installed. The reason is that 64 bit applications take up more RAM than their 32 bit equivalents because all their variables are 64 bits long.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/vista-workshop,1775-5.html

[gomer309]

Thanks for the info, you guys are great.

[patio]

The new build when finished will be running Vista Ultimate 64bit and 4G to start with...
The package included Vista Ultimate 32bit so i plan on using an identical SATA drive and using the BIOS to determine the boot...
This should be able to create some real time comparisons.

All i have to do now is finish it...i'm about 4 bills away.

[homer]

The new build when finished will be running Vista Ultimate 64bit and 4G to start with...
The package included Vista Ultimate 32bit so i plan on using an identical SATA drive and using the BIOS to determine the boot...
This should be able to create some real time comparisons.

All i have to do now is finish it...i'm about 4 bills away.

i look forward to it.

[mcxeb52!]

does the 64 bit operating system give a better performance boot than the 32 bit operating system (we're talking windows xp or vista here)


just out of curiosity, no intention of switching anytime soon.

[patio]

It will show a performance boost on applications that are specifically written to take advantage of the 64bit architecture...

[NOT ADMIN :P]

ive set my multiple hard drives with different OS's installed

I select (thru BIOS) x64 for everything other than gaming

And i still have xp for dvd ripping burning and editing and games

And yes they are partitioned

but yeah as said b4 its not 4gb needed for x64 its that you wont see all 4gb with x86

I think it is 4.8gb (abouts) for x64