x64 vs Vista

I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it 64-bit
ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win 2K
license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.

Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its release
or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a viable
upgrade path from x64 or not?

Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64 and
Vista?

M
Fri Jan 20 11:35:34 CST 2006

Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all the
graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the game is
to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their products to
run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to anticipate your
hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to costly mistakes.

"bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
> 64-bit
> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win 2K
> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>
> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
> release
> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a viable
> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>
> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64 and
> Vista?

Andre
Fri Jan 20 11:40:39 CST 2006

"Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can get."

I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that you
have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does love
memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements are still
not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.

On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out the
overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
--
Andre
Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

"M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all the
> graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the game
> is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their
> products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to
> anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
> costly mistakes.
>
> "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>> 64-bit
>> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
>> 2K
>> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>>
>> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>> release
>> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a viable
>> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>>
>> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>> and
>> Vista?
>
>

bobthemonkey
Fri Jan 20 12:11:03 CST 2006

Thanks but I've read all that already.

Can anyone tell me if Vista x64 will be released at the same time as 32-bit
Vista or is it too early to know yet?

"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:

> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can get."
>
> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that you
> have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does love
> memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements are still
> not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>
> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out the
> overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
> --
> Andre
> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>
> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all the
> > graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the game
> > is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their
> > products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to
> > anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
> > costly mistakes.
> >
> > "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
> >> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
> >> 64-bit
> >> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
> >> 2K
> >> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
> >>
> >> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
> >> release
> >> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a viable
> >> upgrade path from x64 or not?
> >>
> >> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
> >> and
> >> Vista?
> >
> >
>
>
>

Charlie
Fri Jan 20 12:14:37 CST 2006

You can certainly use your existing license, assuming it's not an OEM copy.
(OEM licenses are tied to the machine they shipped on.) And, assuming, of
course, that you're dumping your existing machine.

That being said, you should certainly make it 64-bit capable. Should you run
x64 now? See my blog for more on x64 and the target audience, issues, and
reasons to make the choice.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx

Will XP Professional x64 be upgradeable to Vista x64? Almost certainly.
Though I will also, almost certainly, suggest that a fresh install is a
better way to go.

Virtually any of the mid-level or above PCI-e or AGP 8x cards shipping today
will work just fine with Vista. Choose one that has at least 128 Mb of video
memory. Personally, I'd stick with one of the two main video chipsets to
ensure that there are drivers for Vista, but I doubt anyone who is actively
selling into that space will fail to have a Vista LDDM driver by ship.


--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64

bobthemonkey wrote:
> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
> 64-bit ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use
> the Win 2K license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes
> available.
>
> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
> release or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be
> a viable upgrade path from x64 or not?
>
> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64 and
> Vista?

Andre
Fri Jan 20 12:16:20 CST 2006

Yes, all editions of Vista will be released at the same time, but the
release date is not finalized yet.
--
Andre
Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm

"bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8454F822-81B2-4703-AF22-F60E7F747F70@microsoft.com...
> Thanks but I've read all that already.
>
> Can anyone tell me if Vista x64 will be released at the same time as
> 32-bit
> Vista or is it too early to know yet?
>
> "Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:
>
>> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can
>> get."
>>
>> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
>> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that
>> you
>> have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does love
>> memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements are
>> still
>> not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>>
>> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out
>> the
>> overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
>> --
>> Andre
>> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
>> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>>
>> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> > Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all
>> > the
>> > graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the
>> > game
>> > is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their
>> > products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to
>> > anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
>> > costly mistakes.
>> >
>> > "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> > message
>> > news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>> >> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>> >> 64-bit
>> >> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the
>> >> Win
>> >> 2K
>> >> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>> >>
>> >> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>> >> release
>> >> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a
>> >> viable
>> >> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>> >>
>> >> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>> >> and
>> >> Vista?
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>

Charlie
Fri Jan 20 12:19:38 CST 2006

Almost certainly it will be. I would be frankly astonished if it weren't.
However, it's still many months till release, so anything is possible.

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64

bobthemonkey wrote:
> Thanks but I've read all that already.
>
> Can anyone tell me if Vista x64 will be released at the same time as
> 32-bit Vista or is it too early to know yet?
>
> "Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" wrote:
>
>> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can
>> get."
>>
>> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
>> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that
>> you have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does
>> love memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements
>> are still not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>>
>> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out
>> the overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
>> --
>> Andre
>> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
>> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>>
>> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all
>>> the graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in
>>> the game is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for
>>> their products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying
>>> to anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
>>> costly mistakes.
>>>
>>> "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>>>> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>>>> 64-bit
>>>> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
>>>> 2K
>>>> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>>>>
>>>> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>>>> release
>>>> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a
>>>> viable upgrade path from x64 or not?
>>>>
>>>> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>>>> and
>>>> Vista?

Colin
Fri Jan 20 16:39:34 CST 2006

You do not say what you are planning to run on the new computer. Without
any other info I recommend that you use XP Pro SP2 unless your needs require
using x64 today. XP Pro x64 is not an upgrade to XP Pro x86, but is an
alternative edition so unless you need x64 stick with x86. I see no
compelling reason to use Windows 2000 on a new computer.

You can also dual boot x86 and x64 editions of XP.

No announcements have been made regarding upgrading XP Pro x64 to any
version of Vista but I would assume you will be able to upgrade to an
equivalent version.

"bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
> 64-bit
> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win 2K
> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>
> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
> release
> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a viable
> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>
> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64 and
> Vista?

Intel
Sat Jan 21 22:06:52 CST 2006

When will beta 2 be released?.


"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ueHIkieHGHA.528@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can
> get."
>
> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that
> you have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does love
> memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements are still
> not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>
> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out
> the overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
> --
> Andre
> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>
> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all the
>> graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the game
>> is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their
>> products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to
>> anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
>> costly mistakes.
>>
>> "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>>> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>>> 64-bit
>>> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
>>> 2K
>>> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>>>
>>> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>>> release
>>> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a
>>> viable
>>> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>>>
>>> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>>> and
>>> Vista?
>>
>>
>
>

Charlie
Sun Jan 22 00:53:32 CST 2006

some time this spring

--
Charlie.
http://msmvps.com/xperts64

Intel Inside wrote:
> When will beta 2 be released?.
>
>
> "Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ueHIkieHGHA.528@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can
>> get."
>>
>> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
>> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that
>> you have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does
>> love memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements
>> are still not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>>
>> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out
>> the overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
>> --
>> Andre
>> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
>> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>>
>> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all
>>> the graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in
>>> the game is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for
>>> their products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying
>>> to anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
>>> costly mistakes.
>>>
>>> "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>>>> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>>>> 64-bit
>>>> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
>>>> 2K
>>>> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>>>>
>>>> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>>>> release
>>>> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a
>>>> viable
>>>> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>>>>
>>>> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>>>> and
>>>> Vista?

Andre
Sun Jan 22 14:48:17 CST 2006

Recent reports Easter (April or May) at WinHEC, but its all subject to
change.
--
--
Andre
Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
"Intel Inside" <REMOVETHISBIT@com> wrote in message
news:uMsnzkwHGHA.3896@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> When will beta 2 be released?.
>
>
> "Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:ueHIkieHGHA.528@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> "Most everyone agrees you'll need all the graphics horsepower you can
>> get."
>>
>> I don't agree, you need a card that supports LDDM to get the cool effects
>> that everyone will most likely want. Windows Vista does not require that
>> you have the best video card installed for you to run it, but it does
>> love memory though, minimum I say is 512. Minimum system requirements are
>> still not final, beta 2 should give us a better idea of that.
>>
>> On the matter of Windows XP x64, it all depends, I suggest you check out
>> the overview of x64 Edition by Charlie Russel:
>> http://msmvps.com/blogs/xperts64/archive/2005/11/29/77166.aspx
>> --
>> Andre
>> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
>> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
>> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>> FAQ for MS AntiSpy http://www.geocities.com/marfer_mvp/FAQ_MSantispy.htm
>>
>> "M. Murcek" <mamurcekjr@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
>> news:u2419deHGHA.1424@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>>> Vista will be available as x64. Most everyone agrees you'll need all
>>> the graphics horsepower you can get. The only way to know who is in the
>>> game is to go see which GPU makers are releasing beta drivers for their
>>> products to run properly under the Vista beta. Even then, trying to
>>> anticipate your hardware needs before Vista is finalized may lead to
>>> costly mistakes.
>>>
>>> "bobthemonkey" <bobthemonkey@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:E64828B7-8BA8-41C6-847A-0E71CEAFAC03@microsoft.com...
>>>> I'm planning on building a new PC in the next few weeks, I'll make it
>>>> 64-bit
>>>> ready but I don't know whether I should go with x64 now, or use the Win
>>>> 2K
>>>> license I already have and upgrade to Vista when it becomes available.
>>>>
>>>> Will Vista be available in 64 bit on its release, sometime after its
>>>> release
>>>> or are there no current plans for a 64 bit Vista? Will Vista be a
>>>> viable
>>>> upgrade path from x64 or not?
>>>>
>>>> Are there any other things I should consider when deciding between x64
>>>> and
>>>> Vista?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>