Why doesn't Dell offer 64-bit systems?

I just ordered a new quad-core 6600 XPS 420 from Dell with a 24" Ultrasharp display. I didn't find out until after I ordered that Dell doesn't even offer 64-bit systems anymore and I wondered why?

With all the talk of 64-bit nowadays, did I make a mistake getting a 32- bit system? I'm not into gaming, just photoshop and Lightroom. My current computer is a Dell Inspiron 9300 with a Pentium M. It is PAINFULLY slow.

A guy at Best Buy said that Vista 64 is more trouble than it's worth, and that I should stick with the 32-bit version for now. What do you think?

Stick with 32 bit for now.

64-bit was more geared toward server implementations anyhow.

Thanks for your help!

I use Vista 64 only so I can use more memory. Photoshop still is 32 bit but plug-ins and other programs can use the extra, although photoshop can use a fair bit more as well. 64 bit has its challenges, eg one card reader I have cannot been detected by either xp64 or Vista64, there are some drivers that are not available, nothing too terrible (well the 5D should have drivers).

I have another machine that is 32 bit but I have yet to fool around with VMWare to try and run some 32 bit pieces of equipment in a virtual machine.

So unless you want to use more than 3gb of memory there is no advantage to 64 bit that I can think of.


Dell does not offer those systems because they do not want to answer harder tech questions but they will sell you a machine with 4gb of memory and you will not be able to use it all.

My main desktop runs XP x64 and I only had a problem with a cheap ebay wireless card that had no driver. All else the last year+ is fine and I have lots plugged into it and lots of different software running. But even so I don't see any specific advantage at this point. If I could have found my serial number card and installed from the x32 CD the day I set it up instead I would have.

Your system is fully 64-bit compatible. Dell does sell 64-bit systems, but probably only the server side for now.

I run Vista Ultimate x64 and it works great!

But then I also have 8GB of RAM too so I kinda need the 64-bit version.

Also, I must say that my Inspiron laptop (600m) with a 1.5GHz Pentium M is plenty fast. I can run CS3 and Lightroom on it just fine.

What I would recommend for your laptop is when you get your new computer - copy anything or backup anything you need from your laptop. Then completely reformat the laptop and put a fresh install of Windows on it. If possible, I wouldn't use the Dell restore - I don't know what kind of extra junk they load on these days. But then only load what software you need. I'm sure you'll find it will be plenty quick. If you don't have 1GB of RAM in the laptop, upgrade it to at least that. I have 1.5GB in my laptop. There is no reason a 9300 should be painfully slow.

I would also recommend with the new system that if it comes with a bunch of junk - have it formatted and just the base install of Windows put on. Then only install needed software.

Thanks guys. I think that one of the reasons my CS3 is running so slow on my Pentium M laptop is that I have a ton of plug-ins and actions. It takes about a minute just to boot up. I should probably delete all that I don't use.

Dell is somewhat deceptive. They sell you 4 gigs of Ram even though you can only use three. This is what I heard anyway. They don't even suggest that you have too much ram to be used by the system.

Thanks for letting me know that I could install vista 64 on the new quad core machine. I'm almost afraid to try it at this point. I'll see how the 32-bit version works first. Nowhere on Dell's website does it even mention 64-bit windows - at least I couldn't find it anywhere.

John E wrote in post #5625366
Thanks guys. I think that one of the reasons my CS3 is running so slow on my Pentium M laptop is that I have a ton of plug-ins and actions. It takes about a minute just to boot up. I should probably delete all that I don't use.

Dell is somewhat deceptive. They sell you 4 gigs of Ram even though you can only use three. This is what I heard anyway. They don't even suggest that you have too much ram to be used by the system.

Thanks for letting me know that I could install vista 64 on the new quad core machine. I'm almost afraid to try it at this point. I'll see how the 32-bit version works first. Nowhere on Dell's website does it even mention 64-bit windows - at least I couldn't find it anywhere.

Everything from Intel Core 2 Duo and newer has 64-bit support. Even some chips older than that are compatible.

The important thing to check is that you will need 64-bit drivers for all of your hardware and perpiherals. You can run 32-bit programs, but all drivers must be 64-bit.

The issue with them selling you 4GB of RAM vs. 3GB of RAM is somewhat moot. The problems with 32-bit OS is that depending on a lot of different factors you could end up able to access anywhere from 3GB to 3.6GB or so. Even with 64-bit systems, if your motherbaord doesn't support memory remapping, you won't use all of the RAM in the system. It's quite confusing even to someone with decent knowledge of systems, so they probably just let you buy 4GB and limit it to that since you technically can use over 3GB. Anything more than 4GB would be a waste with a 32-bit system, but having 4GB is fine. Also you have to take into account the graphics card and that it can appropriate memory for its own use, which complicates things - shared memory for the video card can introduce the situations where you can use more than 3GB on a 32-bit system, but just that some is used for video and you won't be able to really tell.

If you decide to upgrade to 64-bit Vista, I believe you can get a discount or a free CD....not sure if that offer is still going on - you would have to contact Microsoft.