DuckieHo

Which Vista should I get?

Since everyone keeps asking... here's a summary of the choices. Let me know what else I can add.

32bit vs 64bit
These numbers refer to how many bits can be stored for memory addresses. 32-bit Vista is limited to only 3.25GB of RAM while 64-bit Vista is able to support more. Premium supports 16GB while Ultimate can do up to 128GB. Certain intensive applications run better on a 64-bit OS since the larger addresses allow larger values to be stored. This programs include video editing, CAD, science apps, ect. The processor (virtually all in the last 2yrs support it), OS, and an application all must support 64-bit to take advantage of its benefits. The only major disadvantage of 64bit Vista is the lack of driver support. Companies have not focused much effort in developing proper drivers for their devices. Many products will not work (or work well) on 64-bit Vista until better drivers come out. Unfortunately, this will not change in the upcoming year. For most users, stick with 32-bit for now... unless you need apps that specifically need 64-bit or willing to deal with additional hardware headaches.

EDIT: 64-bit for Vista has been very good. The only hesitation for it now would be if you have some specialized hardware or applications that may not have drivers.


Home Basic Vs Premium
Do not even bother with Home. It does not include many media functions. It is a budget package that does not even include the newer Aero interface. Stick with XP or save for Premium.


Premium vs Ultimate
Ultimate includes additional features which are not available in Premium. The choice is up to the user if they require all the additional features.
*WinSAT: scans system to determine bottlenecks and sets optimal settings for gaming
*Ultimate Extras: bonus apps that Microsoft will release exclusively to Ultimate. There are currently two with more planned: Dream Scene (motion/video desktop background) and Hold'Em (Texas Hold'Em poker)
*Multi-Language Packs: Converts the text in the OS to different languages (yet to be released)
*BitLocker Drive Encryption: hard drive encryption
*Secure Online Key Backup: allows you to upload your key to a MS server
*128GB Memory support (Premium can only support 16GB)
*Support for two physical processors (do not confuse with multi-core)
*System Image Backup and Recovery
*Full Remote Desktop with incoming requests
*Peer-to-Peer app to connect with other Ultimate/Business/Enterprise users
*UNIX application support: allows Unix environment to run on Windows
*Virtual PC Express
*Slightly more UAC control

Honestly, most users will really benefit from incremental Backup and Recovery feature. While Premium has a similar feature, the Ultimate version is saves file revisions as well as the entire file.

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To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

Evergreen

Is it really possible to have more than 16GB of ram? I could only imagine the oh-so-rich to afford that much memory. I read somewhere that you can use flash memory to add to your ram? What's the deal here? Thanks much.

Niko-Time

Servers can. And mac pro's. Soon ram sticks will be much bigger again, well, when ddr3 comes out I recon. Remember only a few years ago when we though 512mb was huge

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Evergreen

How about the rumor (or not so rumor) that I've heard about using flash cards as additional memory?

noname

yeah 512 was nice lol , and 3 gig was like WHOAA.

now its like. 3 gig? ***m8?

Nice FAQ , +rep.

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blackeagle

not now, but 5 years down the line maybe. 5 years ago 256mb was plenty. As time goes on more ram will be needed. good faq btw

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DuckieHo

Corsair and OCZ are planning to release 2x2GB kits. Theortically, a 64bit OS can support 10EB (10,000,000,000GB) but the OS artifically limits that capacity.

Vista will be supporting quality flash to improve performance. Flash is faster than HD and consumes no power when off. It is still slower than RAM though. Vista will be using flash for ReadyBoost (paging file) and SuperFetch (learns what apps you use and prioritizes them).

__________________
FOR SALE: AMD Athlon 64 LE-1620, Silverstone FP53 3.5" Bay Adapter


To answer most of your questions: (1) a fridge cannot cool a PC (2) 64-bit OS for over 3.4GB (3) If a PCIe card fits, it should work (4) Resolution, not screen size (5) If you have a question, it is not news (6) Report, not respond to Spam (7) Single-Rail/Non-Modular PSUs are not always better than Multi-Rail/Modular

StepsAscend

You're referring to ReadyBoost. Vista will use a USB 2.0 key as a page file/RAM. It's faster than a page file on a hard drive but still slower than RAM. It won't let me use my USB 1.1 drive, probably because it's no faster than a hard drive.

I haven't gotten to experience ReadyBoost yet. Anyone else?

amd_hardsoftware

thats a really good idea using flash as page file. now the next step is having separate memory just for that purpose...or just utilizing a faster interface such as firewire 400/800!

im actually not that negative towards vista. unix application support is a big plus.

StepsAscend

2GB of RAM definitely seems like a good idea now though. The OS eats up a good bit of memory.