Worth the $100 to go 64-bit gaming?

[liljone]

I know this was probably asked before but I did a search could not find anything. I upgraded to 4GB (from 2gb) of ram on 32-bit Vista premium. I know only 3GB can be used by 32-bit windows. I know you need 64-bit version of windows to be able to address all 4GBs of ram.

If i go 64-bit will my 32-bit windows games be able use all 4GB of ram? even with 3GB I run out of mem well playing games like AoC with high settings. I found a OME version of windows vista 64-bit home Premium for $100 is worth the upgrade?

Computers Specs Below:

Dell XPS410

 

[royalcrown]

your OS allocates the ram your game needs, the fact that the game itself is 32 or 64 bit makes no difference as far as ram usage.

 

[pinaplex]

32bit games will still only use the amount of memory that they are capable of. the advantage of having a 64bit OS (i'm running vista ultimate 64) is the amount of resources available to your system.

for example, if you have a game that uses 1.5gb of ram in a 32bit OS, it will still use only 1.5gb in the 64bit OS. the difference is that your system is much less likely to crash since in a 64bit OS with 4GB of ram, you will have 2.5GB of ram free for other programs, as opposed to only 1.5GB ram free in a 32bit OS.

in short, a 64bit OS allows you more headroom for running multiple apps than a 32bit OS does. that's it.

 

[dagger]

If you already own a copy of 32bit Vista, you can have them ship you a 64bit copy for $10-$20. CDkey stays the same.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

[liljone]

If you already own a copy of 32bit Vista, you can have them ship you a 64bit copy for $10-$20. CDkey stays the same.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

sweet thx guys for the help, I got a OEM key dose that make a diff?

 

[dagger]

sweet thx guys for the help, I got a OEM key dose that make a diff?

Not sure. I didn't actually use this service, just knew about it. You can always call Microsoft to find out.

 

[liljone]

will do.

Update: Microsoft said not worth getting 64-bit unless I get more then 4GBs of ram. Even for gaming they said it would not help. Plus they said OME keys do not work for 64-bit upgrade.

 

[dagger]

will do.

Update: Microsoft said not worth getting 64-bit unless I get more then 4GBs of ram. Even for gaming they said it would not help. Plus they said OME keys do not work for 64-bit upgrade.

Sounds about right. If you can get the $10 upgrade, it's still worth the upgrade. But $100 is definately not worth it. Stick to the 32bit os for now.

Unless... you download a pirated copy of it for free.

 

[liljone]

Sounds about right. If you can get the $10 upgrade, it's still worth the upgrade. But $100 is definately not worth it. Stick to the 32bit os for now.

Unless... you download a pirated copy of it for free.

if I can find a copy that works ^ . ^