Installing 64bit Vista over 32bit Vista/XP64bit?

So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
gaming.

I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I have
4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it will
display correct settings and what not.

I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?

Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version of
XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
version of XP; does it say it on the box?

Thanks for the reading/postings

Wipe your HDD and clean install for 64bit Vista.; upgrade not accepted.

"ltolman" wrote:

> So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
> gaming.
>
> I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
> read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I have
> 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it will
> display correct settings and what not.
>
> I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
> do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>
> Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version of
> XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
> version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>
> Thanks for the reading/postings

Not exactly. To a point yes, the more memory the better ... however, recent
testing has shown that a number of games don't like 4gb or more of memory
and when they hit that barrier lots of strange things start happening.

And yes, as Mick pointed out, going from 32-bit to 64-bit means wiping the
system and starting over. Hopefully all your devices have 64-bit drivers.
If not, it won't be fun.

Add to that possible application compatibility issues (not all games will
run in 64-bit Windows whether XP or Vista) and maybe you're better off
staying where you are at now.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"ltolman" <> wrote in message
news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
> So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
> gaming.
>
> I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
> read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
> have
> 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
> will
> display correct settings and what not.
>
> I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
> do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>
> Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version
> of
> XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
> version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>
> Thanks for the reading/postings

Mick Murphy wrote:
> Wipe your HDD and clean install for 64bit Vista.; upgrade not accepted.
>
> "ltolman" wrote:
>
>> So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
>> gaming.
>>
>> I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
>> read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I have
>> 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it will
>> display correct settings and what not.
>>
>> I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
>> do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>>
>> Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version of
>> XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
>> version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>>
>> Thanks for the reading/postings


Drivers for XP 64 are a nightmare to find, you cannot use the same
drivers for 64 bit Vista, neither 64 bit version is faster than 32 bit
for the majority of applications out there and XP is not going to see
much improvement although Vista "Should". There may be a lot of stuff
you take for ganted with XP 32 that you simply will never be able to use
with 64 bit XP. By all means get 4GB, but don't expect a massive
improvement in speed. Yes from 1 to 2 G, less from 2 to 4 G. With 32 bit
some of the 4G will be "Wasted" but just how much depends on what
hardware you have that "Overlaps" the address space. If you upgrade to
64 bit later you will at least have 4G of matched RAM that will be dual
channel.

By all means get as many opinions as you can but I wouldn't even
consider XP 64 especially for gaming, more compatibility issues for no
useful gains IMHO.

Games like memory for sure, but they also like big CPUs and high end
graphics cards..


"ltolman" <> wrote in message
news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
> So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
> gaming.
>
> I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
> read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
> have
> 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
> will
> display correct settings and what not.
>
> I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
> do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>
> Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version
> of
> XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
> version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>
> Thanks for the reading/postings

Hmmm I C

Well someone said going from 1-2=big difference in memory but going from 2-4
not much difference? So I am to presume that going from 2-3 not much
difference either?

So then perhaps I should consider upgrading my CPU then?

I currently own a AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 5400 ~2.8gig

I may have said or not but I'm a huge gamer and there some games that doesnt
seem to run very well, well does but could be better ya know

Larry-


"Richard G. Harper" wrote:

> Not exactly. To a point yes, the more memory the better ... however, recent
> testing has shown that a number of games don't like 4gb or more of memory
> and when they hit that barrier lots of strange things start happening.
>
> And yes, as Mick pointed out, going from 32-bit to 64-bit means wiping the
> system and starting over. Hopefully all your devices have 64-bit drivers.
> If not, it won't be fun.
>
> Add to that possible application compatibility issues (not all games will
> run in 64-bit Windows whether XP or Vista) and maybe you're better off
> staying where you are at now.
>
> --
> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "ltolman" <> wrote in message
> news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
> > So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
> > gaming.
> >
> > I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
> > read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
> > have
> > 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
> > will
> > display correct settings and what not.
> >
> > I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
> > do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
> >
> > Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version
> > of
> > XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
> > version of XP; does it say it on the box?
> >
> > Thanks for the reading/postings
>
>

What video card do you have?


"ltolman" <> wrote in message
news:BFD0546E-C8FC-4786-ADC7-...
> Hmmm I C
>
> Well someone said going from 1-2=big difference in memory but going from
> 2-4
> not much difference? So I am to presume that going from 2-3 not much
> difference either?
>
> So then perhaps I should consider upgrading my CPU then?
>
> I currently own a AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 5400 ~2.8gig
>
> I may have said or not but I'm a huge gamer and there some games that
> doesnt
> seem to run very well, well does but could be better ya know
>
> Larry-
>
>
> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>
>> Not exactly. To a point yes, the more memory the better ... however,
>> recent
>> testing has shown that a number of games don't like 4gb or more of memory
>> and when they hit that barrier lots of strange things start happening.
>>
>> And yes, as Mick pointed out, going from 32-bit to 64-bit means wiping
>> the
>> system and starting over. Hopefully all your devices have 64-bit
>> drivers.
>> If not, it won't be fun.
>>
>> Add to that possible application compatibility issues (not all games will
>> run in 64-bit Windows whether XP or Vista) and maybe you're better off
>> staying where you are at now.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
>> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "ltolman" <> wrote in message
>> news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
>> > So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better
>> > the
>> > gaming.
>> >
>> > I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2.
>> > Though I
>> > read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
>> > have
>> > 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
>> > will
>> > display correct settings and what not.
>> >
>> > I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit,
>> > or
>> > do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>> >
>> > Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit
>> > version
>> > of
>> > XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
>> > version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>> >
>> > Thanks for the reading/postings
>>
>>

Your best bet are 1. Upgrade your memory to the highest bandwidth and
lowest latencies your motherboard will allow. 2. Upgrade your cpu. Since
you only run your game on 1 core you are running on 2.8GHz. Don't know
where you got a 5400+ as they went from 5200+ to 5600+, but based on the GHz
you state you must have a 5600+. I would certainly do #1 first as #2 will
only marginally give you a boost as the 6400+ is currently the top unless
you go FX. As to 64-bit, I agree that you probably won't find much
advantage with 64-bit and drivers are a problem. You could post on the
microsoft.public.windows.64bit.general group to see it they can give you
more advice on specific games.



"ltolman" <> wrote in message
news:BFD0546E-C8FC-4786-ADC7-...
> Hmmm I C
>
> Well someone said going from 1-2=big difference in memory but going from
> 2-4
> not much difference? So I am to presume that going from 2-3 not much
> difference either?
>
> So then perhaps I should consider upgrading my CPU then?
>
> I currently own a AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 5400 ~2.8gig
>
> I may have said or not but I'm a huge gamer and there some games that
> doesnt
> seem to run very well, well does but could be better ya know
>
> Larry-
>
>
> "Richard G. Harper" wrote:
>
>> Not exactly. To a point yes, the more memory the better ... however,
>> recent
>> testing has shown that a number of games don't like 4gb or more of memory
>> and when they hit that barrier lots of strange things start happening.
>>
>> And yes, as Mick pointed out, going from 32-bit to 64-bit means wiping
>> the
>> system and starting over. Hopefully all your devices have 64-bit
>> drivers.
>> If not, it won't be fun.
>>
>> Add to that possible application compatibility issues (not all games will
>> run in 64-bit Windows whether XP or Vista) and maybe you're better off
>> staying where you are at now.
>>
>> --
>> Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User]
>> * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
>> * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
>> * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
>> * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "ltolman" <> wrote in message
>> news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
>> > So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better
>> > the
>> > gaming.
>> >
>> > I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2.
>> > Though I
>> > read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
>> > have
>> > 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
>> > will
>> > display correct settings and what not.
>> >
>> > I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit,
>> > or
>> > do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>> >
>> > Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit
>> > version
>> > of
>> > XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
>> > version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>> >
>> > Thanks for the reading/postings
>>
>>

Well my CPU is a AMD Athlon 5400 ~2.8gig; heres the link where I bought it
from:

http://www.pcboost.com/store/viewite...idproduct=7956

As far as my Video card goes; I own a GeForce 8800 GTX PCI-E 768mb

And as far as my motherboard goes:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2579

Section of memory reads:


4 DDR2 DIMM memory slots (supports up to 16GB memory)(Note 1)
Supports dual channel DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMs
Supports 1.8V DDR2 DIMMs
(Note 1) Due to the limitation of Windows 32-bit operating system, when more
than 4GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory available for the
operating system will be less than 4GB; Windows 64-bit operating system
doesn't have such limitation.

Larry



"Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:

> Games like memory for sure, but they also like big CPUs and high end
> graphics cards..
>
>
> "ltolman" <> wrote in message
> news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
> > So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better the
> > gaming.
> >
> > I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2. Though I
> > read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
> > have
> > 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
> > will
> > display correct settings and what not.
> >
> > I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit, or
> > do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
> >
> > Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit version
> > of
> > XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
> > version of XP; does it say it on the box?
> >
> > Thanks for the reading/postings
>
>

See
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Corporate/V...04_609,00.html
so it must have been dropped. You should be using DDR2 800 with timings of
4-4-4-12 to get the best results. Also the nVidia drivers are still being
updated frequently and still have problems associated with them, especially
for the 8xxx series, so keep up with the driver updates on the nVidia site.

"ltolman" <> wrote in message
news:AFF2BFEA-D7BF-432A-B42C-...
> Well my CPU is a AMD Athlon 5400 ~2.8gig; heres the link where I bought it
> from:
>
> http://www.pcboost.com/store/viewite...idproduct=7956
>
> As far as my Video card goes; I own a GeForce 8800 GTX PCI-E 768mb
>
> And as far as my motherboard goes:
>
> http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...ProductID=2579
>
> Section of memory reads:
>
>
> 4 DDR2 DIMM memory slots (supports up to 16GB memory)(Note 1)
> Supports dual channel DDR2 800/667/533/400 DIMMs
> Supports 1.8V DDR2 DIMMs
> (Note 1) Due to the limitation of Windows 32-bit operating system, when
> more
> than 4GB of physical memory is installed, the actual memory available for
> the
> operating system will be less than 4GB; Windows 64-bit operating system
> doesn't have such limitation.
>
> Larry
>
>
>
> "Mike Hall - MVP" wrote:
>
>> Games like memory for sure, but they also like big CPUs and high end
>> graphics cards..
>>
>>
>> "ltolman" <> wrote in message
>> news:B98E021E-186C-4108-89D7-...
>> > So I hear those who are massive gamers; higher the memory the better
>> > the
>> > gaming.
>> >
>> > I was thinking of upping my RAM to 4gigs of memory instead of 2.
>> > Though I
>> > read that Vista 32bit will only detect RAM/display up to 3gigs so if I
>> > have
>> > 4gigs it will read as 3 only. If I ugprade my Vista to 64bit, then it
>> > will
>> > display correct settings and what not.
>> >
>> > I currently have 32bit Vista installed, is it easy to upgrade to 64bit,
>> > or
>> > do I have to WIPE my HD clean and start fresh for 64bit?
>> >
>> > Also does the same apply to Windows XP; do I need to find a 64bit
>> > version
>> > of
>> > XP to utilize the proper memory modules? Where/How can I buy the 64bit
>> > version of XP; does it say it on the box?
>> >
>> > Thanks for the reading/postings
>>
>>