have parts, about to start, but... 64 or 32 bit vista?

[aardwolf]

Here's the parts that I have (& vista ultimate 64bit that i could swap licenses for this oem 32bit); the difficulty is the dual ATI HD3870x2's. Do the drivers still come out first for 32bit, and then delay a while until the 64bit release? Would I be wasting the 4th GB of ram by not using 64bit? I am going to have to wait a bit anyway to fully use that 2nd hd3870x2 in CrossFireX, but I'd not ALSO like to be delayed further just because I chose 64bit.

Thoughts? (ps, thanks to all for the help in selecting parts!)

Core:

1@$276.99 INTEL Q6600 2.40G
2@$449.99 VGA GECUBE HD3870X2-F3 RT
1@$94.99 MEM 4Gx2|GSK F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ R
1@$249.99 MB ASUS MAXIMUS FORMULA X38 ICH9R R
2@$169.99 dual 150gb raptors, striped

Enclosure
CASE ANTEC|NINE HUNDRED BK RT 1 $109.99
PSU Thermaltake 1200W RT 1@$389.99
CPU COOLER ZALMAN|CNPS 9700 NT R 1 $59.99

Assorted:
SDCARD CREATIVE|SB0570 AUDIGY SE RT 1 $29.99
CPU CLEAN|ARCTIC CLEAN ACN-60ML % 1 $5.99
HD 1T|ST 7K 32M SATA2 ST31000340AS 1 $269.99
S/W MS WIN VISTA 32BT ULT 1P DVD% 1 $169.99
CPU THERMPASTE|ARCTIC SILVER5 3.5G% 1@$5.99
EA CRYSIS COLLECTOR EDITION PC RTL 1@$46.99


+tax & ship:
$3285

 

[rgeist554]

Since you bought 8GB , you'll pretty much have to use 64 bit to see / use more than ~3.5GB of it. Just beware that you'll need to make absolutely sure that you're using all 64 bit approved drivers, otherwise, you're going BSOD like no other.

 

[aardwolf]

That's actually 4g (2 2gb chips).. don't know why the newegg invoice listed it like that. Really, it is the driver support I'm worried about...

For drivers, I'm looking at
ati gecube hd3870x2 (????? 64 bit ok?)
sony camera drivers (should be fine there)
Lexmark printer drivers there... (may be fine there)
sb audigy (better be ok)

 

[Jim_L9]

With 4GB go with 32 bit Vista. It will be less problematic and the 64 bit version has a bigger memory footprint. http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/15/vista_workshop/

 

[notherdude]

With 4GB go with 32 bit Vista. It will be less problematic and the 64 bit version has a bigger memory footprint. http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/02/15/vista_workshop/

While this may be true to a degree I would not trust that crappy article about it which documents this very poorly, if at all. The article also assumes you would see 3.5 gig on 32 bit but with all that Video RAM I bet he would be lucky to see even 3 of it.

 

[rgeist554]

Ah, yes. If you've only got 4GB then you can safely get away with the 32bit version. You'll only lose about .5GB of RAM (or less), which shouldn't have any negative impact on your system. (Just as Jim_L9 explained already)

sb audigy (better be ok)

Actually, I've heard there were a few 64 bit issues with audigy cards. Also, blu-ray and HD-DVD playback software is taking a hit from a lack of 64 bit support. (Mostly Cyberlink's PowerDVD software) Just figured that information may be useful.

 

[notherdude]

Ah, yes. If you've only got 4GB then you can safely get away with the 32bit version. You'll only lose about .5GB of RAM (or less), which shouldn't have any negative impact on your system. (Just as Jim_L9 explained already)

sb audigy (better be ok)

Actually, I've heard there were a few 64 bit issues with audigy cards. Also, blu-ray and HD-DVD playback software is taking a hit from a lack of 64 bit support. (Mostly Cyberlink's PowerDVD software) Just figured that information may be useful.

Most systems today lose a gig, or more, the 3.5 you used to get is rare these days.

I'm not sure how this impacts the larger question. It may still be better to stick with 32 if you only have 4 gig - but I think that question needs a much better answer than we were given in the quoted article.

 

[rgeist554]

Well, it's only going to address 3.5GB. Of course the system will consume more RAM. As you've already stated, you'll lose almost a gig directly to hardware (GPU). The OS and other processes are going to consume an additional 700-900MB (Typically 200-300MB in XP).

The important thing is that he will still have RAM that is unused by hardware / OS, so he can safely run apps. without worry of any sort of RAM bottleneck. 2GB or less in Vista would certainly slow the system down considerably.

 

[bydesign]

64 all the way the driver issues aren't much of an issue.

Are you sure that PSU can be installed in that case?

 

[rgeist554]

Are you sure that PSU can be installed in that case?

Good point.

OP: Take a look at the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad (Sometimes called the OCZ Silencer) It's got a little less Wattage, but I'm sure it can power a single 3870x2. Also, it's a tier 1 awesome PSU that I know can fit in that case.

 

[aardwolf]

I sure hope the 1200w thermal take fits in the case...Antec 900... (getting nervous now....)

May have to take a run to bestbuy (shudder) if not.

It looks like I'm leaning towards 64bit ... i forgot about how many address allocations would be needed -- I was thinking 1gb of VRAM, but forgot to double that for the 2 cards... I hope the audigy works, but i can always fall back on the sound in the maximus formula for a few days if I run into issues.

 

[jt001]

A 32-bit OS can only recognize 4GB of memory including your video memory. You have 2 1GB video cards, think of how that might be a problem...

You have to get a 64-bit OS, 32-bit isn't an option, unless you only want to have 2GB of RAM(which judging by the fact that you bought 4, you don't.)

 

[aardwolf]

rgeist554 & bydesign (or anyone else): how do i figure out if it will fit without opening the PSU box?

 

[aardwolf]

the toughpower 1200 is listed as h: 86mm, w:160mm, l:200mm

 

[rgeist554]

Generally they'll just say whether or not it's a standard ATX sized PSU.

 

[rwpritchett]

Another vote for 64-bit. Think ahead, you may want to increase your RAM later on if you plan on keeping this system for a while and 32-bit would have yourself right on the edge of allowable RAM right from the start.

I have two systems running Vista, one 32-bit the other 64-bit. I've had NO problems with 64-bit at all on the drivers side. I had three programs that didn't like 64-bit, two were throw away apps and the last one was iTunes (cd burning error). iTunes works flawlessly now, however, after installing some 64-bit gear driver.

 

[aardwolf]

The only issue I had read w/ the ToughPower 1200w was that it's 200mm (7.8 inches) long, and some cases couldn't support that...

That didn't look like an issue with the 900:

http://www.techimo.com/photo/showphoto.php/photo/10056/cat/all/ppuser/82591

That should give 4" of clearance to the right. Now you guys have me wondering about the depth into the case (160mm).. hmmm...

 

[mlaporta]

Is a better heatsink for HIGH OC:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

Also I don't think I saw a optical drive: Samsung SH-S203B SATA

(Get the "Retail" version of the optical drive in order to get software with it. This will include the decoder you'll need to watch movies on it.)

 

[ImajorI]

I vote for 64 bit, mine works great.

 

[aardwolf]

Is a better heatsink for HIGH OC:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler

Also I don't think I saw a optical drive: Samsung SH-S203B SATA

(Get the "Retail" version of the optical drive in order to get software with it. This will include the decoder you'll need to watch movies on it.)

Thanks, but i'm not ready to go pedal-to-the-medal for OC-ing... going to get used to stock first before I ramp up, but I love all the features on the maximus formula -- if the manual's any indicator, this is going to be fun

Also, optical drives are getting cannibalized from an old build -- interesting about the SATA optical though.... hadn't seen that before!

 

[aardwolf]

I vote for 64 bit, mine works great.

Can't leave it at that! What vid card(s)? How much ram?

 

[ZOldDude]

Stay away from Vista altogether.
You can use all the ram with XP 64 bit and the system will run faster...you won't have all that crap DRM Vista forces on you (worst thing MS ever came up with).

You could also use XP 32 bit but the system would only see 3GB of the ram (same with any 32 bit OS).

Also for $30-40 more than -one- Raptor you could have -two- 500GB Segate 7200.11's which beat Raptors butt in all but one heavy server benchmark.

 

[sleepyhead]

I'm loving my 64-bit installation of Vista Ultimate. So far the only problems I've run into that I haven't been able to fix are the compatibility with my Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard. The keyboard works fine (I just can't program shortcuts on it) but the mouse is uncontrollable about 70% of the time!

 

[mlaporta]

So many people say get 1 Raptor-150gb & 1-500 7200.11???

 

[bydesign]

I have no doubt there is physically enough room in the case, it's getting in there that maybe the problem. I have a 1200 Thermaltake its as long two PSU.

You may have to call unless you find an article or someones thats has done it.