few questions

[bigyam]

i was just wonder the difference between 32 bit and 64 bit for the OS? i noticed that they are different prices, and wondered wut the difference was between the 2.
also the difference between OEM and the rest. cuz the one's with OEM are also a lot cheaper.
and final question is vista or xp? lol i heard a lot of bad reviews for vista, but also heard that they improved a lot. im currently using XP and i haven't had any problems with it, so should i just stick w/ xP for my new computer? they'd also be able to run games better right, since it doesnt need as much to run it? i dunno im just spouting a bunch of things that i thougth of, haha.

any help is appreciated =]

 

[chibicitiberiu]

1. 32 and 64 bit
32 bit is limited to about 3 - 3.5 GB RAM. 64 bit to few millions of GB.
Also on 64-bit theoretically your processor should work 2 times faster, because 32-bit only uses half of that.
2. OEM and the rest
If you want a computer to use forever, without ever upgrading your parts choose OEM.
It will only activate on one computer based on the hardware, so if you want to upgrade you'll need to buy another OEM.
Else, choose Retail or others.
3. xp and Vista
If you want a 64-bit OS choose vista x64. It has better driver support than xp x64.
Else, you choose: if you have at least 2gb ram you can go for vista. Else, stick with xp.
You need a really powerful computer for vista. Else, xp.

 

[xnyjyh]

So basically are you saying that my 6BG of ram is useless using vista x86?

As said, x86(32 bit) only process 3 - 3.5GB's of ram.

Also, if so... Can I just upgrade to x64 with out hardware change and get the power of 6GB's?

 

[mep916]

2. OEM and the rest
If you want a computer to use forever, without ever upgrading your parts choose OEM.
It will only activate on one computer based on the hardware, so if you want to upgrade you'll need to buy another OEM.

Look, you can reactivate an OEM/System Builders license on a new hardware configuration. Even if you swap the motherboard, you can call Microsoft and they'll reactivate the OS.

Get the OEM version, regardless of your plans for your PC. If you build a new one, transfer the license to the new PC. Understand, though, that you can only use a Windows license on one PC at a time.

So basically are you saying that my 6BG of ram is useless using vista x86?

As said, x86(32 bit) only process 3 - 3.5GB's of ram.

Right.

Also, if so... Can I just upgrade to x64 with out hardware change and get the power of 6GB's?

You shouldn't have any problems running Vista 64 bit. Some older hardware isn't supported under the 64 bit version of XP