once I got mine.. I was hooked.. smooth fast and stable.. what more could I want?

Ok you two, and anyone else, where do I go to learn more about the 64bit OS?

Good chance I will be getting a new computer before the end of the year.  I want to be able to know just what the advantages are over getting a 32bit OS, and find answers to questions like, will 32bit programs run on a 64bit computer?

I think I know the answer to when it comes to Stradock software, not a lot, hope I'm wrong there.

Once they iron_out the compatibility "issues" with a few things (some drivers come to mind), i'm positive that even Vista will need to make room for the next OS which has already been announced, right?

Stuck at 32 here. CPU could tackle it anyway. Pipelining registries on a gap this wide must accelarate beyond a quad feed through, that's a given!

Hate LCD graphics, though.

Start here...

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_ff_x64.asp

 ive yet to find one that dont work maybe the 32 bit ones arent as snappy as the 64 bit ones but they seem to work just like on a 32 bit machine. IIm running WB,IP,OD,Winamp,CurFx,DX. etc

Zyxpsilon thank you very much for the link you posted.  Interesting information. 

Hey HG, now that information is what I really wanted to know.  Thank you.

I switched to 64-bit at home about two weeks ago now and it's just been a great experience.  Memory issues are a thing of the past.  Now my only realistic limit is how much memory I can fit in the box.

Generally speaking 32-bit apps work fine with 64-bit.  You only see problems with apps that integrate tightly with your system such as anti-virus and security applications.  For example, I can't use Eset's NOD32 v3 because it does not support 64-bit yet.  I have to run the old 2.7 version.  Same with some of my old system tweak utilities.  But games, regular apps like graphics tools, internet apps etc have no problem at all with V64.  In fact, in some cases they benefit (like games).

I installed Vista x64 last week and it's been absolutely superb. I have yet to face any of the classically "bad" issues that people warn about when you talk about a 64-bit OS and it's nice to actually utilize all of my RAM.

I installed Vista64 when it first came out and the only compatibility problem I've ever had was a 64bit driver for my epson scanner. I built a new rig just for vista64 and paid around $500 for 4 gigs of ram back then. It hurts a little to see the same memory selling for less than a $60 now but that's the way it is and it was worth it. 

Two gigs is the minimum for vista64 as it uses 1.5 all by itself so I just had too have 4. I can shut down a hungry game open a browser and not have too wait for windows to let go of the resources before it responds. For the first time a pc felt fast. It was a glorious new day.

I recently got a swell computer ($750) for only $550 and it came with vista 64. 

Amd Pheom x4 9550 quad core processer

6gb of system memory

and a winky little geforce 6150 (why have such a powerful processer and ram when you have a bad video card?)

Just curious though, what's the major difference between 32 and 64?

Okay, so from you all are saying getting a new computer with Vista 64bit OS on it should really be a 'no brainer' decision.

Only thing that I should be looking at then is the version of Vista, how much memory and of course the CPU.  Dual or Quad core?

64-bit is really an issue of RAM.  If you have less than 4 GB of RAM, you won't gain much from a 64-bit OS.  But at 4 GB and above, you don't even want to consider 32-bit as you'll be wasting that RAM.

Quad vs Dual Core?  Um, to the best of my knowledge, Windows itself does not really require or significantly benefit from 2 vs 4 cores.  At least there's no difference between 64 and 32 bit.

General rule of thumb on hardware: buy the best you can comfortably afford.  You will never look back and go "Gee, I shouldn't have bought a CPU *THAT* powerful..."

I'm running Vista 64 bit (8GB, Q6600). I was running a game the other day, minimised it, forgot it was running (was at a menu) and fired up another game. The other game ran fine, and I didn't realise until I closed the game I was in and went back to the desktop and saw the minimsed game.

(One of the games was SoaSE - just can't remember 100% which was which. IIRC I minimsed SoaSE to try out the Political Machine Express I installed via Impule).

Super sweet

Well it looks like I hijacked this post for my own purpose.  Didn't mean to do that.

I thank everyone who has given me information.  I believe I have come to the conclusion that I need to start looking for those end of year computer deals.  I will get the Vista 64bit OS.  In fact looking at Sundsy's  advertisements most places (Best Buy, Circuit City etc) are selling systems with the 64bit OS.

Now, what to do with the XP Home system that hasn't broken yet?

does that mean that Impulse and DemiGod will have 64bit versions now?

I do so hate to install to the x86 directory.