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Vista x64 compatibleness??

Forum Windows Vista : Vista General Discussion - Vista x64 compatibleness??

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I'm considering getting Vista x64 for my computer. And I know the advantage with having a 64-bit OS, you can use more RAM, get more out of your CPU, etc.
But the thing that worries me is that I've heard that the 64-bit OS isn't compatible with all programs and games, etc. that the 32-bit system are. The x64 should have problems especially with old games and programs.
Is this true? Or is the 64-bit OS compatible with exactlly the same programs, games and all other software as the 32-bit OS are??

Thanks, I appreciate it!

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Unless your games and apps are very old - as in 16 bit code and installers, then they'll run just fine.

Why? x64 (x86-64, really) is a superset of x86. That means when the standard was created, they original (x86) was left unchanged and (AMD) the creators simply added to it. So all the original commands in x86 are also in x64. This means your processor doesn't care and will run either equally well.

What matters is whether the writers of your software wrote their code properly. Good Code = Good Apps


Regarding drivers: To use the Windows logo, anything now produced *must* be certified by the maker to run on both 32 and 64 bit versions of Vista. New stuff will run. Older applications will generally run, as long as they were coded properly. And even some that were a little dicey can be run in 'Compatibility Mode' (right click... Properties..). You will have to be sure to use drivers for Vista 64, but besides that, you should be GTG.



If there's some specific older program you need to ask about, please post up.



{edit to plagiarize other posts and provide links to info}


Decent overview of some of the differences:
http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2007/ [...] _the_ram/1

Other info:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3- [...] 1001_3-0-5

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=511

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/e [...] t-the.html



Regarding acceptance, 64 bit computing is catching on faster than predicted:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=506

http://www.dailytech.com/People+Fi [...] e12568.htm

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3- [...] 1001_3-0-5




Message edited by Scotteq on 08-29-2008 at 08:47:25 PM
------------------------------ Which Chip? Well, it depends on which set of thieving b@stardz you choose to support: The ones who use insider trading to enrich themselves while running their company into the ground, or the ones who illegally pay vendors to not support the first group.
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