Windows Vista Max Memory? New System i7/gtx280

[oinkypig]

I will be in the process of constructing a new pc with windows vista and i need to know what the maximum amount of memory the different types of vista will recognize. Specs of new system:
Mobo-ASUS P6T Deluxe LGA 1366 Intel X58
CPU-Intel Core i7 920 2.66Ghz
psu-XION AXP-1000R14HE 1000W
GPU-BFG GTX280 1GB
RAM-G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ
O/S-VISTA(not sure which)x64orx86?basic/premium/ultimate
Cooling-Thermalright 120 ultra Extreme/Arctic Cooling MX-2 thermal paste
HDD- 1-1Tb Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS
1-500Gb Western Digital WDC WD5000AAKS
1-320Gb Seagate Barracuda ST3320620AS
Now i am a huge pc gamer and i would like to harness the full potential of my 6Gb of memory. Which O/S's should i run to get the complete 6gigs? if i run the 64bit version will i still be able to play all the games i have?What are pros and cons of 64bit? I would like to stick with x86 but if i have to go x64 i will.

[spearman914]

U should go 64-bit to get the 6GB. The only cons of 64-bit is longer booting time and a slight decrease in performance over 32-bit. And I mean slight by minor. 64-bit also has less compatiblity with games then 32-bit but I'll doubt u'll find a game unplayable.

[dark2099]

Originally Posted by spearman914

U should go 64-bit to get the 6GB. The only cons of 64-bit is longer booting time and a slight decrease in performance over 32-bit. And I mean slight by minor. 64-bit also has less compatiblity with games then 32-bit but I'll doubt u'll find a game unplayable.

I though 64 bit systems were faster than 32 due to them using the full capabilities of the 64 bit CPU.

[spearman914]

Originally Posted by dark2099

I though 64 bit systems were faster than 32 due to them using the full capabilities of the 64 bit CPU.

Yea but somehow it's slower. Drivers maybe?

[ASRockIQ]

64-bt kinda sucks really. if it wasn't for the RAM Limit on 32-bit OS's then i'd stick with Vista 32-bit but look at me i'm on the 64-bit Version. most 32-bit Apps. can run on 64-bit but only a few 32-bit drivers can run on a 64-bit OS. for me i haven't seen that much of a difference in boot time from my old rig and my new rig.

[psyko12]

Hmm 64-bit is as good as 32bit was and far more stable (vista x64), I have 64 bit vista and it's the most so far stable OS I have used and never looked back to my xp x86. Most of my 32 bit apps work fine, games play the same as my xp install was. As for drivers that was before, but now x64 drivers are getting mature and getting lots of support so you won't be having difficulties looking for drivers.

[HolyCow02]

definitely head to the 64-bit. I had a 32bit version of vista before I got the extra 2 GB of memory to take me to 4. I then 'upgraded' to the 64bit and have not seen or had any issues. I like the 64bit, since I get to use all of my memory. My boot times are really no different, and I haven't had any trouble with any games so far.

[newtekie1]

The only way you are going to get all 6GB is to use 64-bit. Most modern programs work just fine under Vista x64. I have yet to find a game that doesn't work, some really old games might require a tweak or two to get working though.

[Steevo]

I haven't had any issues besides the odd one with Vista X64. I man not install XP on this machien after all.


As far as boot times, your disk/CPU play way more into that than the OS itself. Mostly the disk though. At work our RAID 5 server boots in a few seconds once the BIOS hands off the hardware to windows.