bit or 64 bit Operating System?
The 32 bit environment is well supported, with tried and tested performance ensuring excellent reliability and extensive software support. The 64 bit environment on the other hand is twice as fast, but only when running 100% 64 bit applications, which are short on the ground. Driver issues aren’t supported so well and this can lead to reliability issues. It will be some months before its truly the Operating System of choice. 32 bit applications run in an emulator mode within Vista 64 bit. This limits RAM usage to 2GB (irrespective of the fact that you may have a lot more) and speeds will likely be fractionally less than on a 32 bit system. 64 bit systems support masses of RAM, but motherboards tend to max out at 8GB so the motherboard will be the limiting factor there. A 32 bit system on the other hand, works best with 2GB of RAM. You can install more, up to 4GB, but the system cannot use it all effectively, so you may as well save your money until you have a 64 bit system.
