Which RAM? 6400 v 8500? Version 32 v 64?

I've done a great deal of searching but still haven't found a
completely satisfactory answer. I'm running a Core 2 Duo (6600) and
have 4 sticks of RAM for a total of 3GB. I'm upgrading to Vista and
wasn't sure of the following:

1) Should I go with Vista Ultimate 64? Other than a HDTV card I've got
stuck in there, I don't think I have anything else that may or may not
be 64 compatible. From what I'm told, even 32 bit emulation is very
good. I'm also told I'm probably better going this route for the long
run since it's fast.

However, I'm also told it can be an incredible PITA. Half my drivers,
e.g. my Okidata 5500N color laser printer, HP scanner, etc. seem to
have that "unsigned" thing for installation and I'm told that you
can't choose "continue anyways" or whatever it is that ignores the
requirement. I can't imagine if that is going to be a huge headache
and was hoping someone with experience could speak on this.

2) I figured I'd get some new RAM as well, perhaps 2 sticks of 2GB RAM
but I wasn't sure which. Some Mushkin 6400 with a low latency 4 (12)
or perhaps an 8500 which has a latency of 5. It's all a whole lot of
confusion since I'm told that the 6400 can still be used if you move
the board up to 1066 eventually, etc. When it comes right down to it,
which is the better investment? For $10-15, it's not worth going with
the one slightly less. I'm told that the 6400 800DDR2 with the low
latency is superb (the Mushking) but maybe someone with knowledge can
speak more on this subject.

Thank you!!!!

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:36:52 -0400, JSoul Rules
<tkd_in_the_city@yahoo_deletelines_.com> wrote:

>I've done a great deal of searching but still haven't found a
>completely satisfactory answer. I'm running a Core 2 Duo (6600) and
>have 4 sticks of RAM for a total of 3GB. I'm upgrading to Vista and
>wasn't sure of the following:
>
>1) Should I go with Vista Ultimate 64? Other than a HDTV card I've got
>stuck in there, I don't think I have anything else that may or may not
>be 64 compatible. From what I'm told, even 32 bit emulation is very
>good. I'm also told I'm probably better going this route for the long
>run since it's fast.
>
>However, I'm also told it can be an incredible PITA. Half my drivers,
>e.g. my Okidata 5500N color laser printer, HP scanner, etc. seem to
>have that "unsigned" thing for installation and I'm told that you
>can't choose "continue anyways" or whatever it is that ignores the
>requirement. I can't imagine if that is going to be a huge headache
>and was hoping someone with experience could speak on this.
>
>2) I figured I'd get some new RAM as well, perhaps 2 sticks of 2GB RAM
>but I wasn't sure which. Some Mushkin 6400 with a low latency 4 (12)
>or perhaps an 8500 which has a latency of 5. It's all a whole lot of
>confusion since I'm told that the 6400 can still be used if you move
>the board up to 1066 eventually, etc. When it comes right down to it,
>which is the better investment? For $10-15, it's not worth going with
>the one slightly less. I'm told that the 6400 800DDR2 with the low
>latency is superb (the Mushking) but maybe someone with knowledge can
>speak more on this subject.
>
>Thank you!!!!

Generally go with the fastest memory your mother board and BIOS
supports. That said, the faster the memory rating the more finicky it
can be at faster FSB (front side buss) speeds especially if you plan
on overclocking the system. If not, a minor consideration. Mushking is
a premium brand. Get matched pairs if possible.

In spite of all the hype there is little hardware that takes advantage
of 64 bit, even less software. For most, a waste of money. Also driver
support for 64 bit devices remains weaker than for 32 bit. It will
happen some day, not yet.

On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:12:17 -0500, Ringmaster
<> wrote:

>On Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:36:52 -0400, JSoul Rules
><tkd_in_the_city@yahoo_deletelines_.com> wrote:
>
>>I've done a great deal of searching but still haven't found a
>>completely satisfactory answer. I'm running a Core 2 Duo (6600) and
>>have 4 sticks of RAM for a total of 3GB. I'm upgrading to Vista and
>>wasn't sure of the following:
>>
>>1) Should I go with Vista Ultimate 64? Other than a HDTV card I've got
>>stuck in there, I don't think I have anything else that may or may not
>>be 64 compatible. From what I'm told, even 32 bit emulation is very
>>good. I'm also told I'm probably better going this route for the long
>>run since it's fast.
>>
>>However, I'm also told it can be an incredible PITA. Half my drivers,
>>e.g. my Okidata 5500N color laser printer, HP scanner, etc. seem to
>>have that "unsigned" thing for installation and I'm told that you
>>can't choose "continue anyways" or whatever it is that ignores the
>>requirement. I can't imagine if that is going to be a huge headache
>>and was hoping someone with experience could speak on this.
>>
>>2) I figured I'd get some new RAM as well, perhaps 2 sticks of 2GB RAM
>>but I wasn't sure which. Some Mushkin 6400 with a low latency 4 (12)
>>or perhaps an 8500 which has a latency of 5. It's all a whole lot of
>>confusion since I'm told that the 6400 can still be used if you move
>>the board up to 1066 eventually, etc. When it comes right down to it,
>>which is the better investment? For $10-15, it's not worth going with
>>the one slightly less. I'm told that the 6400 800DDR2 with the low
>>latency is superb (the Mushking) but maybe someone with knowledge can
>>speak more on this subject.
>>
>>Thank you!!!!
>
>Generally go with the fastest memory your mother board and BIOS
>supports. That said, the faster the memory rating the more finicky it
>can be at faster FSB (front side buss) speeds especially if you plan
>on overclocking the system. If not, a minor consideration. Mushking is
>a premium brand. Get matched pairs if possible.
>
>In spite of all the hype there is little hardware that takes advantage
>of 64 bit, even less software. For most, a waste of money. Also driver
>support for 64 bit devices remains weaker than for 32 bit. It will
>happen some day, not yet.

Thank you for your response. Apparently all my hardware is Vista 64
compatible so I'm happy about this. I'm not sure what "faster" means
regarding RAM. The choices are:

Mushkin:
Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Cas Latency 4
Timing 4-4-4-12

OCZ Platinum
Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-18

G.Skill
Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-15