Having a 64bit processor it just made since to install the 64bit verison of Vista. I have not run into any compatibility issues as of yet. I even have Itunes running on it. I have noticed that no matter what I am running or how much processor DreamScene is taking the system does not seam to slow down. Office 2007 runs great as well as all the tools that I had running on XP.

System config.

AMD Turion64 1.6ghz
2GB Ram
ATI 200M Video

Major Apps

Office 2007
iTunes
Pe Builder
Gaim IM Client

Plus a load of little things that make it more usfull.

It all runs well and I am on it all day. Not only has it been stable for the 6 month that I beta tested the release version was even faster.

I cannot wait for apps to start showing up in 64bit versions it can only get better from here.

Because at one moment or another we will see 64 bit applications appear ?
Because I have a 64bit Intel processor, and want to use it to it's full capacity ?
Or maybe just because I like to brag

At one point of time I made the mistake of not buying a 32 bit processor, but choose for the "faster "16 bits. That was, until the 32 bit applications began to pop up. Especially when playing games, it was like watching a slideshow. Being a student at the time, I was stuck.
I do not want to make this same mistake twice. Vista is new and driver support is poor at the moment anyway. Why not take advantage of the opportunity, and jump on the 64 bits wagon immediately ? If the crowd is big enough (and from reading on several forums this seems effectively the case), this will force HW manufacturers to develop proper 64bit drivers from the start.
I am running 64bit Vista since it came out, and it is growing on me. I have only problems with one driver not being available, but for that piece of HW there are no 32 bit drivers out neiter.

I am using Vista 64bit really for no good reason, just for the fact that maybe sometime i will see a benefit. There arent many 16 bit apps so no worries that i cannot run them.

I heard somewhere that Vista 64 should in theory be more stable than 32 bit because it only allows signed drivers to be installed. Plus theres a few other security benefits for 64bit Vista. The only other advantage is something to do the the DEP Data Execution Protection that is supposed to be improved.

It all sounds pretty good, pity i have no idea what it actually means.

FOR GAMES!!!
pc games if developed for it could see some better benefits, higher ram options are also a benefit for the future in say 3 years from now when 3.5 gigs wont be enough...and you all know that will happen so 64bit will be a must before too much longer.

i bet ms's next OS is pure 64bit

Again today there are several posts from people having trouble getting software to run on 64bit Vista.

There doesn't currently appear to be any valid reason for using 64bit, but there are 999,999 reasons for not using it!

He, he Fuzzy, you are right of course.

Right now there is no real reason to install a 64bit OS.

The reason I did it anyway is that if you buy OEM, you don't get both versions as in the retail Version. Since I bought a new computer and only really can afford to buy the OEM version, I had to decide:

Stick with 32bit > have less problems at the beginning > but have to buy a new OS, if I ever want to run 64bit Software, or not being able to run that software at all. (And 64bit software will come out the next few years)

or

Jump onto the 64bit version > have more problems intially (so far my ony problem has been with DeskScape) > but don't have to buy an expensive retail version or another OEM version later.

Since I expect this computer to last for another 3-4 years, the second option seemed the better one for me.

I have to say though that I am surprised how well everything (except DeskScape) works on my 64bit system. I initially planned on making a double boot-system together with WinXP Professional (32bit) for exactly the anticipated compatibility issues, but I realise now that this is not really necessary as Vista 64bit has been running everything I have put on it so far (inklusive my games, and even those that upon install scream: "known compatiblity issue"), and XP won't run DeskScape anyways..... so I might use my second hard-drive to play around with Ubuntu again instead.

At least you have a valid reason for choosing 64bit. Interestingly, I'm told DeskScapes should work on 64bit...   

I'm currently running dual boot with XP. There are two main reasons for that: The first is my system is SLi using 2 x GeForce 7600GTs and the current set of nVidia Vista drivers do not support SLi. That means Vista gaming is not up to scratch yet. The second reason is my camera software, Nikonview 6, will not run on Vista, and there are no plans to update it. So, if I want to process my photos it has to be XP - or spend an extortionate amount on new software.

Anyway, seems most people haven't a clue why they are using 64bit or the possible problems they may encounter    

Oh, almost forgot    I have to use XP still for moderating purposes...

Actually you can order a 32 bit DVD for just 10 bucks. The serial number is valid for 32 bit or 64 bit, just not BOTH at once.

My New PC came with full 64 XP bit pro disc.. seemed cool at the time..until Photoshop menus looked like hell, My webcam drivers weren't available from logitech.. etc etc etc.

So now im back to 32 bit, with my 64 bit disc sitting in a drawer, useless to me.

honestly I didnt see any noticable increase in speed, reliability or..anything.   

I haven't run Vista on a home machine yet, but since I'm planning on putting together a pretty sharp system, I'm hoping there are more 64-bit apps so that I can purchase 64 bit Vista. Why? Because nobody ever got rich on the trailing edge of technology, and I'm not putting together a high dollar machine only to wish I had made it 64-bit in 6 months.

Yeah, it's silly to jump into 64-bit so quickly if you don't know what you are doing, but if the alternative will be an expensive upgrade later, I can see why someone would choose it.

My Advice would be to hold off.. use 32 bit until the software and drivers catch up..

if not.. i can assure you you will get frustrated quickly.

I went 64-bit because I had a 64-bit processor (X2) that was being used at far less than it's potential by running a 32-bit OS on it.

I see some folks saying that there are problems with applications not running on it, etc., but that is mostly fear mongering based on a *few* bad applications that have issues on the OS.

In my case I use core OS apps (the media center components), and a few other applications (AnyDVD and CloneDVD for making backup copies of DVDs before letting my less than careful family members have the originals to destroy for me ) and not much else.

If you are trying to play games, or trying to run lots of applications, then 32-bit might be the recommendation for now, but sooner or later 64-bit will hit critical mass. You can get with the program now, or wait until later and have to upgrade to get the performance at that time. I'd rather install 64-bit now and wait for new apps than have to go back and re-install the OS later on.

The only message coming across to me is people in general have no idea what 64bit computing is, and what the advantages/disadvantages are   

No, from my POV it's not that at all, Fuzzy. I had no idea how easy it would be to upgrade Vista from 32-bit to 64-bit when I submitted my response (I read XX's post later). My point was (and is) that when 64 bit DOES become the norm, 32 bit will be obsolete...meaning if you want cutting edge apps, you had better have a machine that is ready to handle it.

I'm not going to submit an essay just to prove my knowledge, but I AM keeping up on it. My case mod is probably a good 6-8 months from being finished (money being the major limiting factor at this time...to do what I want is going to run me $1200-1500) but because of the cost, I want to be VERY careful to make sure the machine is WORTH it.