Novice needs help

I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32
whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which version
to buy.
My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
Thanks for the help!
Nurmi

Colin
Wed Mar 19 17:24:01 PDT 2008

Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit Vista
on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a
computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...
>I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32
> whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which
> version
> to buy.
> My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
> Thanks for the help!
> Nurmi

Nurmi
Wed Mar 19 20:02:01 PDT 2008

Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?
2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024
kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,
Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix
Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.
Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.
Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open
HCD USB Host Controller.
Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP Address,
Networking Dns Servers.
Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display
adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August 2005.
I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?
I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and
still pics,
I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?
Thanks Nurmi

"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit Vista
> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a
> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.
>
> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...
> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32
> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which
> > version
> > to buy.
> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
> > Thanks for the help!
> > Nurmi
>

Colin
Wed Mar 19 20:53:14 PDT 2008

First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the
FAQ at
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx

I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.

Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have
NF-Ck804 boards)
Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.
What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look in
My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.
Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550
cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer
itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that they
are.

I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review
the editions at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx
I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features for
my liking.

When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in
the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change
your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key that
comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run either
version but not both at the same time.

Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you are
running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be
pretty short.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b



"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...
> Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?
> 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024
> kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,
> Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix
> Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.
> Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.
> Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open
> HCD USB Host Controller.
> Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP
> Address,
> Networking Dns Servers.
> Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display
> adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August
> 2005.
> I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?
> I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and
> still pics,
> I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?
> Thanks Nurmi
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit
>> Vista
>> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a
>> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.
>>
>> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...
>> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32
>> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which
>> > version
>> > to buy.
>> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
>> > Thanks for the help!
>> > Nurmi
>>

Tony
Thu Mar 20 03:06:05 PDT 2008

What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when describing
the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is entirely
correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our own
situation.

When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your
local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like they
just found the light-switch.

If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up, doubling
the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those times. If
the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will have no
effect at all for you.

So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of the
data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a unit
of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.

So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and make it
sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is
doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is
probably quite allright in your situation.

Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the technical
point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that
hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS MS
has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I
were, it would certainly be 32bit.

The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and the OS
isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit software in
the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit (or
more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most
users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit
system.


Tony. . .

Nurmi
Thu Mar 20 20:19:00 PDT 2008

Hello Tony, you first since you came last. Thank you for this apt analogy.
It intend to give it some more thought before I get caught up in the hype
about keeping up with the Jones. I have yet to run out of memory, so for the
time being I shall keep what I have, try to keep the adware and viruses out,
and enjoy Win XP.

Thank you Collin.



> What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when describing
> the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is entirely
> correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our own
> situation.
>
> When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your
> local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like they
> just found the light-switch.
>
> If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up, doubling
> the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those times. If
> the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will have no
> effect at all for you.
>
> So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of the
> data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a unit
> of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.
>
> So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and make it
> sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is
> doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is
> probably quite allright in your situation.
>
> Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the technical
> point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that
> hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS MS
> has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I
> were, it would certainly be 32bit.
>
> The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and the OS
> isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit software in
> the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit (or
> more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most
> users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit
> system.
>
>
> Tony. . .
>
>
>

Nurmi
Thu Mar 20 20:36:02 PDT 2008

Thank you for the time your took and the attention you gave to my question.
Tony explained the difference between the 64 and 32 bit I agree with his
advice to keep what I have for the moment. However I would like to know if
the following identifies the manufacturer of the board: "NF4 KAC-RS-1.0 ?
Total harddrive space is 250GB. Where do I find the mobo mfg or make and
model number of the computer? This would be background info, since Toni has
convinced me to keep what I have. So if you are short on time, you need not
answer.
I wish both of you and your families a Green and Happy Easter Season!
Nurmi


"Colin Barnhorst" wrote:

> First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the
> FAQ at
> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx
>
> I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.
>
> Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have
> NF-Ck804 boards)
> Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.
> What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look in
> My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.
> Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550
> cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer
> itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that they
> are.
>
> I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review
> the editions at
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx
> I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features for
> my liking.
>
> When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in
> the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change
> your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key that
> comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run either
> version but not both at the same time.
>
> Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you are
> running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be
> pretty short.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b
>
>
>
> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...
> > Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?
> > 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024
> > kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,
> > Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS: Phoenix
> > Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.
> > Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.
> > Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard Open
> > HCD USB Host Controller.
> > Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP
> > Address,
> > Networking Dns Servers.
> > Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display
> > adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August
> > 2005.
> > I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?
> > I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video and
> > still pics,
> > I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?
> > Thanks Nurmi
> >
> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
> >
> >> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit
> >> Vista
> >> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a
> >> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.
> >>
> >> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...
> >> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a 32
> >> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which
> >> > version
> >> > to buy.
> >> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
> >> > Thanks for the help!
> >> > Nurmi
> >>
>

Colin
Thu Mar 20 21:09:21 PDT 2008

Ask the person who built it for you.

"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0DA315CC-C7EC-4B2C-B609-4DEFA735FACB@microsoft.com...
> Thank you for the time your took and the attention you gave to my
> question.
> Tony explained the difference between the 64 and 32 bit I agree with his
> advice to keep what I have for the moment. However I would like to know
> if
> the following identifies the manufacturer of the board: "NF4 KAC-RS-1.0 ?
> Total harddrive space is 250GB. Where do I find the mobo mfg or make and
> model number of the computer? This would be background info, since Toni
> has
> convinced me to keep what I have. So if you are short on time, you need
> not
> answer.
> I wish both of you and your families a Green and Happy Easter Season!
> Nurmi
>
>
> "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>
>> First, as to the difference between 32bit and 64bit Vista, start with the
>> FAQ at
>> http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/41531554-d5ef-4f2c-8fb9-149bdc5c8a701033.mspx
>>
>> I think you are pretty much OK to do Vista, but I have a few questions.
>>
>> Do you know who manufactured the motherboard? (several companies have
>> NF-Ck804 boards)
>> Can you afford to increase the memory to 2GB? This is important.
>> What is the size of the hdd (I know there is 102.36 free)? You can look
>> in
>> My Computer. Right click on the drive icon and choose properties.
>> Drivers for both 32bit and 64bit Vista are available for the Radeon X550
>> cards but we need the mobo mfg or make and model number of the computer
>> itself to see if other drivers are available. I am almost certain that
>> they
>> are.
>>
>> I think you will be fine with Vista Home Premium (32bit). You can review
>> the editions at
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx
>> I cannot recommend Vista Home Basic. It does not have enough features
>> for
>> my liking.
>>
>> When you buy a retail copy of Vista Home Premium you get the 32bit dvd in
>> the box and you can send for the 64bit dvd for $9.95 so you could change
>> your mind later and reinstall the 64bit version. The one product key
>> that
>> comes with a retail copy of Vista works for both dvds. You can run
>> either
>> version but not both at the same time.
>>
>> Download and run the Vista Upgrade Advisor to get a list of things you
>> are
>> running now that may not work after an upgrade. I think the list may be
>> pretty short.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx?wt_svl=20409a&mg_id=20409b
>>
>>
>>
>> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:788D6E40-DB79-42BF-9536-A594AF5E582F@microsoft.com...
>> > Thanks Collin, I hope below is what you need to know?
>> > 2.00 gigaherz AMD Athlon 64, 256 kilobyte primary memorty cahce, 1024
>> > kilobyte secondary memory cache. 102.36 Gb Hard Drive free Space,
>> > Main Circuit Board: Board: NF-Ck804, BusClock 201 meghertz, BIOS:
>> > Phoenix
>> > Technologies, LTD6.00 PG 08/05.2005.
>> > Memory Modules: 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory.
>> > Controllers: STandard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller, Standard
>> > Open
>> > HCD USB Host Controller.
>> > Communication: NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller, primary Auto IP
>> > Address,
>> > Networking Dns Servers.
>> > Display: RADEON X550 [Display adapter], RADEON X550 Secondary [Display
>> > adapter] Samsung Sync Master [Monitor] 19.1 vis, s/n HVEV801745, August
>> > 2005.
>> > I have no idea what all this means, hope though it qualifies for Vista?
>> > I am retired and use the PC mainly for e-mail, research, music, video
>> > and
>> > still pics,
>> > I have one more question: What is the difference between a 32 and a 64?
>> > Thanks Nurmi
>> >
>> > "Colin Barnhorst" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Yes. The cpu is a 64bit processor. You may run either 32bit or 64bit
>> >> Vista
>> >> on it. You need to give the specs for your system and how you use a
>> >> computer before any one can suggest which way you should go.
>> >>
>> >> "Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:6B308F1E-9AF2-40DC-96E5-410F5FFFF5DF@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I recently hat a PC built for me. I was told a 64 is faster than a
>> >> >32
>> >> > whatever that mens. I want to up-date to vista and don't know which
>> >> > version
>> >> > to buy.
>> >> > My processor is an AMD Athlon 64. Does this mean it is a "64"?
>> >> > Thanks for the help!
>> >> > Nurmi
>> >>
>>

Tony
Fri Mar 21 00:49:52 PDT 2008

You might as well, Collin - let the Jone's pay for their own experiences.
There is allways a fair bit of new ideas to wrap your head around with a
technology change.

You will in all likelihood need Blue-Ray sooner than a 64bit OS?


Tony. . .


"Nurmi" <Nurmi@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:D4913510-757A-4CCF-BE34-069DC953BEF8@microsoft.com...
> Hello Tony, you first since you came last. Thank you for this apt analogy.
> It intend to give it some more thought before I get caught up in the hype
> about keeping up with the Jones. I have yet to run out of memory, so for
the
> time being I shall keep what I have, try to keep the adware and viruses
out,
> and enjoy Win XP.
>
> Thank you Collin.
>
>
>
> > What most people - and indeed the FAQ seems to prioritize, when
describing
> > the differences between 32 and 64bit is the memory. While this is
entirely
> > correct, it often doesn't tell us mere mortals how that relates to our
own
> > situation.
> >
> > When I tell friends and relatives that the difference is analog to your
> > local Free-way that you use to go from A to B, they tend to look like
they
> > just found the light-switch.
> >
> > If you are on that free-way at times when it is mostly filled up,
doubling
> > the number of lanes will allow you to travel a lot faster at those
times. If
> > the lanes are mostly empty at those times, making the extension will
have no
> > effect at all for you.
> >
> > So, the 'bitness' has no inherent speed factor to it, it is the width of
the
> > data-path and that determines how much data you can pass along over a
unit
> > of time. If you have enough data, your job will finish more quickly.
> >
> > So, if what you do on a normal day seems to bog down the machine and
make it
> > sluggish, you may want to up the memory to 2Gb, as Colin says. It is
> > doubtful if you would have much use of 4Gb or more, so a 32bit system is
> > probably quite allright in your situation.
> >
> > Personally, I have XP Pro x64 and no, I do not need it from the
technical
> > point-of-view. Thanks to the folks here I managed to build a system that
> > hasn't given me any headache (not much anyway). I think it's the best OS
MS
> > has ever made, and I have decided not to go for Vista at this time. If I
> > were, it would certainly be 32bit.
> >
> > The machine isn't going to care much if you run one or the other, and
the OS
> > isn't going to care either if you are not going to buy any 64bit
software in
> > the near future. A time will come when everything we run will be 64bit
(or
> > more?) and then the difference will be essential. Untill that time, most
> > users tend to have fewer problems (and much less confusion) from a 32bit
> > system.
> >
> >
> > Tony. . .
> >
> >
> >