64- or 32- bit with 4gb RAM on CoreI5?

I use 4 GB as my line. 2 or 3 GB gets x86. 4 GB and above gets x64.

To me there is more to it than just the amount of RAM installed. If you have a video card with its own dedicated onboard RAM and 4 gigs of system RAM, I'd want to go 64 bit to make the most use out of it. I went 64 bit on all my systems. The only one I consider questionable is my laptop that only has 3 gigs or RAM and an onboard video that uses some of that. I've been using it for a while, and I am tempted to go 32 bit on it when it needs a reinstall, just to see it there is any noticeable difference in performance. I was going to bump the RAM up to its 4 gig max but haven't gotten a round toit.

I use the 64-bit everything. Basically, I figure that since my processor is 64 bit - as are most of the recently produced Intel chips - why limit myself with the 32-bit OS?

I agree, that for the proverbial "average everyday use" there is no difference at all between 64-bit and 32-bit Windows, as long as the hardware supports both. So, with 4 GB RAM you could use either and if your computing needs comprise email, internet, occasional Word document, some movies, and maybe a simple game or two, then you could go either way. I would even say that for these purposes you don't need to upgrade neither software nor hardware (in fact, I still own a Pentium III system running Windows 2000 which is perfectly capable of the above tasks).

Now, if your needs are "above average", then your needs will dictate the choice of your system (or systems) and the original question becomes basically moot. Do you perform memory-intensive calculations? Do you use Photoshop? Do you deal with massive Excel worksheets? The list of tasks where 64-bit computing provide clear advantage is rather large. What matters is what your particular needs are.

On the other hand, given that both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms are available, both are compatible with modern hardware, both can run almost any existing software, and there is no difference in costs, I really see no reason to stick with the 32-bit systems, unless you have to run some old 16-bit code, which will not run at all on the 64-bit Windows. But this is again the same point - your choice of the system is determined by your needs. The PC is a tool, not a fashion statement.

I went 64-bit on my latest 4gb Core I5 install and see some hang in Quickbooks loading. I edited the Visual Effects of animation, sliding, fading, dragging intact which always seems to help a tad in low-ram situations.

The solution is likely a RAM upgrade to keep pace with the processor - which is the nagging suspicion about all of these 4gb 64 bit factory preinstalls.

Thanks, all. Keep the feedback coming for google.