Experiences with Windows 64-bit?

[Jason]

I'm asking because I'm sniffing around a couple of pre-built gaming PCs (there are several I'm looking at, but the general theme is around about a 2.3gHz Quad-core, 4GB RAM, 1GB Nvidia 9400). The main issue is that they don't come with Windows pre-installed - I'm going to have to get my own copy.
Which leaves me with a couple of tricky decisions - do I go with Vista or W7, and do I go 32-bit or 64-bit?

I'm definitely leaning towards W7, as I'm expecting this PC to last me a while, and to be honest, Vista is an awful OS. I've not heard too many complaints about W7 so far, which considering the nature of the internet community is a minor miracle.
The only problem is deciding whether to go for 64-bit or not. There's a definite performance bonus to be had by going for 64-bit, and it's the future, but there are a lot of potential compatibility issues.

So I figured I'll ask you guys - are any of you familiar with 64-bit Operating Systems? Had any problems with them?

[MyNameDidntFit]

I'm on 64x Windows 7 (and was on 64x Vista before that) and I've not had a single compatibility issue. I really doubt you will have any such issues unless you are attempting to use software that's old enough to be optimised for '95 or something.

And Vista isn't awful, people just like to bitch about it for no good reason. I used it for a solid year without a single issue. Windows 7 is mostly behind-the-scenes in its upgrades and, on the surface, is not at all that different from Vista. But, according to my technerd mate, the behind-the-scenes stuff is a bunch better.

So, basically, I'd say 64-bit W7.

[Jason]

That's what I was leaning towards. Unfortunately it's been difficult to find any articles that discuss 64-bit technology in anything other than the future tense.
As for Vista, I have to say I've hated it from start to finish. I'm not one of these 'bash-microsoft-because-it's-what-all-the-cool-kids-do' types, but I just don't like Vista. I've spent so much time fighting a running battle with it for my system resources it's not even funny. My old 1.2gHz XP pro machine with 1GB RAM didn't run too much slower than my current machine, a dual-core 2gHz with 2GB RAM and Vista.
It's not the end of the world, and I know plenty of people think Vista's fine, I just didn't find that the system hit was returned in features and usability.

[Astonix]

I've got a Win7 64-bit and it does definitely improve your gaming experience. Was getting about 30+ Frames p/s on WoW than I was on my previous Vista OS. Had two compatibility issues so far. Firstly with CS:S and secondly with Operation Flashpoint (need to try out what CKS said about this problem though).

[Konrad]

4GB of ram in your system and above, you should go for 64bit. There is really little reason not to. 64bit OS isn't as an advanced alien technology nowadays as it was with XP where you couldn't even install your favourite printer. I've gone from 32 bit XP, to 32 bit Vista, to 64 bit Vista on my Laptop and now both computers run 64 bit Windows 7. Frankly, the only compatibility issues I encountered were on account the actual operating system, not the x64 infrastructure.

x64 isn't more expensive than x86, and often when you buy you get both versions... Considering that Windows 7 was rumored to have been intended as an x64 OS only, it's safe to say that's the only way the industry can be heading.

Besides, I found it awfully frustrating when .8Gb of ram was wasted on an x86 system. (Not to mention a friend of mine, who I recently bitched out for having installed 6GB of ram on 32bit Windows XP. I yelled at him so loudly he upgraded to 64 bit 7.)


As for Vista, I used it for a while and it wasn't bad. I certainly didn't see what all the screaming was about. Once I got used to it the only thing that buggered me was that the big red button in the start menu was "hibernate" not "shut down". It made no sense.

Windows 7 is more or less Vista with all the little annoyances fixed and a bunch of cool shit as far as I'm concerned. (read: on a compeltely non-technical level) I didn't notice any performance boost, but I do enjoy using it far more than Vista.

[Jason]

This was my thinking. Even though the system will only have 4GB at purchase time, I'm hoping the Quad Core processor will last a long while, with only the graphics and RAM needing to be upgraded every now and then.

[Konrad]

I'm on pretty much the same boat as you, I just bought some new computer upgrades. A 2.8Ghz Core 2 Quad and a GTX 275 (technically I bought a 260, but several complications later I got a 275 for the same price) and already had 4GB of ram.

Though I'm not looking to upgrade my card anytime soon, Ill probably end up throwing in some more ram eventually, which is why I wouldn't even consider 32bits of OS.

[Astonix]

You might also want to consider the Unix Millennium Bug where all 32-bit softwares are meant to stop working. Meaning 64-bit is best for the future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_2038_problem

[Konrad]

I think think he's a few system upgrades away from having to deal with that problem. :]

[Toups]

I run W7 64-bit on 5 computers, ranging from different things and purposes. For all of them its much better than vista ever could hope to be. For gaming you definitely want 64bit if you plan to have more memory to use for the gaming (4gb+). Compatibility wise most new games are definitely compatible with W7 64bit, also it comes with compatibility modes so you can attempt to run software/games using an older OS such as Windows Xp Sp2.

Definitely go with windows 7 over vista, no competition there. 64bit is always better if you're going to use it for more speed and power.
Also if you happen to be a college student you can get Windows 7 (Home or Pro 64bit or 32bit) for only $30.

[Rob]

What everyone else said... W7 64bit runs well.

[MotherGraham~]

I've had several operating systems, and I think Windows 7 is just fine. KotOR and KotOR II seem to have way less issues to run, if compared to the tiresome Vista. Not to mention Windows 7 has easy access to almost everything and basically is very nice - graphics included.

Also if you happen to be a college student you can get Windows 7 (Home or Pro 64bit or 32bit) for only $30.

Should anyone live in the Netherlands, I suggest you request an MSDN account from your mentor/teacher. You can access all items for free; operating systems and miscellaneous products (ie. Visual Studio 2008/2010 full, though if I remember correctly, Office 2007 is the only item that's excluded) alike.