What's your take on 64 bit?
I have been looking for a replacement PC for mom, she is a very minimalist tpe of user, email, sharing some photos, printing photos, plays a few simple games such as hidden object games, some of the PopCap stuff etc.
Looking at a cheap retail PC, I have seen an HP refurb ($399.99) from a major retailer that offers some great specs for her specific needs, however the OS is Vista Hoem Premium 64 bit.
I suppose what I am looking for is your general take on 64 bit vs 32 bit, not too interested in people's horror stories of legacy apps in an office environment and older hardware compatibility, her Epson all-in-one offers 64 bit drivers that are said to be fully Vista 64 bit compatible.
I would probably be installing Office Suite 32bit (again that's supposed to be compatile also) and some basic photo software (just simple photo viewer,slideshow stuff that came with the printer).
Concerns are 5GB of ram, not a balanced set of 4 or 6 GB. From what I've always understood, not matchign ram in slots slows it down, perhaps even removing a stick would be better? (guess it's hard to say without playing with it).
As long as you aren't using older drivers/software, I'd be fine with 64 bit. I do know people using it extensively. There isn't any disadvantage, just no advantage unless you use more than 4 GB.
As for RAM matching, it is somewhat dependant on the MB.
I've looked into teh 5GB issue and most seem to feel it's fine with that mobo, FSB is 800 on all sticks so there shouldn't be an issue. I read a real rant from one guy who said it was a horrific combo etc. but I think that his opinion, as are many we see here, was pretty anti-MS period.
But hey it's a cheap box and, from the specs, it would even suit my needs too, but I didn't get myself one.
appreciate your input, James. Enjoy your weekend.
I downloaded and installed the 64 bit version of Windows 7 from MSDN onto one of our development machines. Installed it, typed in the key - which it took, and then tried to install 64 bit apps and was told that I had a 32 bit OS, which I confirmed. Finally realized that the machine did not have 4gb of RAM. Upgraded the ram, and reinstalled - and then confirmed the same install, same disk, same key, was 64 bit.
Not sure if this applies to Vista, but I'd be curious if you could pull 2 or my GB of that 5 GB total, install Vista over the top, and "Downgrade" it to 32 bit Vista.
Might be worth a shot - if anyone has time to confirm.
You are proably right. Then again I can pull 2 of my spark plugs, my truck will still run okay and be a 4 cylinder, but why?
If the printer has the drivers, I'd be good with it. The 32 bit Office will install and run just fine. You might run across something that won't work with the 64 bit, but it's getting less and less frequent. And if you do, there's always an alternative of some sort.
On the memory, the 32 bit can only read 4 GB. As to the 5 GB versus 6, it depends on the motherboard. The manual should tell. Besides, you could always go to e-Bay, buy some more and bump it up to 6 or 8 GB.
Max, good to hear from you!
I've been thinking about you, wondering where you've been.
I just figured you are still wrapped up in family business and haven't had time to lurk about here as much.
Thanks for your reply, that's pretty much what I thought, but there is so much BS on the web it's often hard to determine what's right and what's wrong, thus I turn to the peers here who have proven their knowledge to me over for many years now.
On another note, did you ever find a pair of bookshelf speakers for yourself?
Thanks for your comment, good to hear from you again.
I went with the el-cheapo Sony speakers (but thanks for your suggestions); participating in serious discussions around here sometimes gets pointless and frustrating, resulting in my laying-low for a while (possibly reading, but not commenting); family stuff (that I previously told you about) has been weighing heavy on my mind lately - and taking a fair amount of my time travelling back home (I'm going again later this week); and focusing more on the blog pieces.
People here; are rooting for you and hoping everything works out in the end.
As for speakers, no worries, Sony makes a decent 'mid-fi' product and if it suits your needs and fits your budget, nothign wrong with that at all.
The RBH would e a premium product but harder to obtain and at a premium price, if it isnt' for critical listening, you are probably just as well off with the Sony's.
Still have to get caught up on your blogs, some aren't relavent in my case but often they are interesting all the same.
Depending on the M'Board being used and if there is a On Board Video.
Some of the New M'Boards are Triple Chanel RAM and when you get the Budget Models from the makers they supply the On Board Video Option so the odd size could be related to needing some System Memory for generating Video.
While Dual or Triple Channel RAM with Identical RAM Modules will give better performance these M'Boards also work quite well for what you have asked about in Single Chanel Mode they are just slightly slower which in this case would probably not be noticed.
As for the 64 Bit OS from my prospective it is the only way yo proceed from now as the 32 Bit is a Dead Technology. Only a complete Idiot would invest in 32 Bit Technology knowing just how limited it is and expect it to work as well as the 64 Bit stuff that is coming.
M$ and the Hardware Makers have dropped the Ball with the change to 64 Bit and they have just messed people around for the last few years offering it Half Heartily. Now that they have gone beyond the limits of the 32 Bit OS's they have to do something and they are now trying to resell what they placed a less than perfect Spin on a few years ago.
The only thing you really need to watch out for is any existing Technology that is not supported by the 64 Bit OS. Things like Printers, Scanners, Cameras, Modems ands whatever else is being used, as these things tend to remain in use till they die for most home users event hough they buy new computers.
Besides if the Performance is too slow you can always add more RAM even with the price rises in RAM it's Still cheap for small amounts in 1 off installations.
Just my 1.5 cents worth though.