I am getting ready to do a new PC build. I am very tempted to run Vista 64 Bit rather than Vista 32 Bit. The main reason I am wanting to do this is so I can take advantage of more than 3GB of RAM. Here are my questions:1) What are your experiences running FSX on Vista 64 Bit? Have you run into any incompatibilities of add-on software (aircraft, scenery, mesh, ect...), or hardware such as CH Products Flight Sim Yoke?2) Will I be able to tell the difference of using more than 3GB of RAM in a 64 Bit environment than what I am experiencing using 3GB of RAM in a 32 Bit environment?3) Are there any other major problems I may run into with a 64 Bit system that are external to FSX?4) Is there a site where I can see software or hardware incompatibility lists with 64 Bit OS's? This would be very nice if there was a running list of things not working on 64 Bit somewhere. I know driver support is definitely getting better, but it still is lacking. I know that I saw an Add-On plane that was recently released by DreamFleet that explicitly says that it is for 32 Bit OS's only. I definitely need my Add-Ons in FSX, and I also want to use my Flight Sim Yoke. If this is an issue, I would definitely remain with 32 Bit Vista.Thanks for any input you may have for me.

Next week I'm building a new PC (I'm tired of running FSX with all sliders to the *left* on a PC with a 32(!!!) MBy video card) and I'm loading it up with Vista-64, regardless of any advice to the contrary ("oooo, you won't have a driver for that webcam you bought in 1995").Seriously, many add-ins have not been tested under Vista-64, but there is no a priori reason why they should not work.Hardware drivers are a different story: I understand they must be written specifically for Vista-64.And as you say, Vista-64 extends available RAM on most new MBs to 8 GBy, so FSX never has to wait for RAM to be paged-in from the swap file.Others have previously commented favourably on Vista-64 and FSX.Finally, I figured I would save time by actually trying Vista-64 for myself and see if I get it to run: If it doesn't I'll just reformat my HDD and load Vista-32.Cheers,-jahman.

I migrated to Vista x64 3 months ago. This Nvidia drivers now follow up the release cycle of the 32bit version1) It is now a much smoother experience. I do have 4 gigs of RAM. No incompatibility problem: GEX, UT, PMDG 747X, MytrafficX, ASX, Radar Contact4.0, FSGenesis. I've not reconnected my CH Yoke. On my todo list... I should to that and get back to you...2) I personally did see a difference in overall smoothness going from x32 to x64.3) my last problem is my flatbed Canon FB630U scanner that doesn't workVista 64 is not like XP64 in terms of driver support. It much better now.

My experiences with Vista64 and FSX have been positive as well. The sim does seem much smoother under Vista64 with 4 GB RAM than it was on XP--not to mention constant OOMs with XP (even with 3GB fix). I have not had a single OOM since moving to 64 bit OS. All my devices had current drivers--Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX, Soundblaster XFI, Saitek Yoke, CH Throttle Quad and pedals, Track IR. Running the following addons without issue: - Ultimate Terrain - GEX - FEX - PMDG 744 - LevelD 767 - Wilco Airbus, 737 and Citation X, ERJ and CRJ - Aerosoft Twotter and Lukla X - Aerosoft Heathrow ProThe only problems near term that I know of are anything based on Reality XP GPS guages (Dreamfleet), but they are working on an update. I did see on the Dreamfleet forum that the Dakota it can be installed with the Garmin disabled and runs fine.One thing to make life easier is install FSX in a directory outside Program Files (mine is on a separated hard drive), and change the permissions to full control for you're account to avoid any security issues some addons have.Kylehttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpg

The only issues I've had with Vista64 is using my old school no-name web cam (that I never use anyways) and some old software that won't install. I set up my computer dual booting vista64 and xp32 thinking I would be needing xp for something. Nope, never had to use xp.

Thanks so much for everyone's response. This has really been helpful for me. Nearly every add-on that I will have has been mentioned as working on the Vista 64 bit OS. With that, I will plan on installing Vista 64 Bit on one HD, and XP Pro 32 Bit on the other HD for a dual boot system.Kyle, Why do you say to install FSX in a directory outside of Program Files? What does this do? Also, what do you mean when you say that you have your FSX on a "Separated Hard Drive"? You actually have an entire HD dedicated to FSX, or you have a partition of your HD dedicated to FSX? Thanks.

The reason I install outside the Program Files directory is some addons want to write to the FSX directory, and Vista security by default does not allow the user to write to directories below program files. You could also turn off the User Access Control (UAC) feature of Vista and can write there. Or change permissions on the subdirectory below program files to allow full control to your user account. I think PMDG has a utility available to set the permissions for you. I like to keep UAC on for the extra protection. It is easier to keep track in another directory.As far as installing on another hard drive, I use a totally separate drive for my FSX install--a fast Samsung Spinpoint, and use O&O defrag to optimize the drive. That way adding/removing programs from my main hard drive won't affect my optimized defrag. Another partition on the same drive as the OS is not recommended, as seek times could increase having to seek accross partitions.Kylehttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpg

Oh, I see. I guess I have not used Vista yet, so I don't know all the details to Vista. Thanks for answering my question.