[est1895]

How can I know if my system is capable of using 64 bit or not?  Is there a program that would tell me?

[The E]

What kind of CPU are you using?

[est1895]

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66hz

[The E]

Then your machine will be capable of running a 64-bit OS.

[est1895]

What about memory?  I will need to increase the size of my memory.  Its only 2 gigs right now (DDR2-800).  Is there a certain brand that you perfer?  Or should I get faster memory alltogether?  Motherboard: Asus P5N-D. 

[BloodEagle]

You don't technically need more memory.

That said, if you're installing Windows 7+, I'd recommend getting 4GB+ of any DDR3+ memory.  Some good brands (i.e., they haven't failed me or anyone I know) are Kingston, Corsair, and Samsung.

[Klaustrophobia]

you don't NEED more memory just because you go 64 bit.  you CAN use more of it (>4 GB) than you can on 32 bit.  for DDR2, there's not much reason to go beyond 800, and your motherboard doesn't support faster anyway.  if you want to add more, pretty much any 2x1 GB or 2x2 GB DDR2-800 set would do.  generally, ones with heat spreaders or named 'series' like "XMS" or "ripjaws", etc, indicate higher quality.  but if you're not doing anything stressful with your PC, you can really go as cheap as you like.  not that there's terribly much difference in price between "value" and "performance" RAM at that level.  few bucks maybe.

@bloodeagle, his mobo is DDR2. 

[zookeeper]

That motherboard can only utilize up to 800mhz DDR2, so that's what you should get if you're looking to add more. Adding another 2GB should cost very little, especially if you buy used.

[est1895]

Another question is has anyone tried to play Freespace 2 Mods on it (Windows 8)?  Also, FSPORT and Wing Commander?

[MP-Ryan]

Another question is has anyone tried to play Freespace 2 Mods on it (Windows 8)?  Also, FSPORT and Wing Commander?

What operating system do you currently have and what is your rationale for moving to Windows 8 on an existing PC?

If you're running XP then maybe an OS upgrade is due, but if you're on 7 or Vista I really wouldn't bother, considering your current system specs.

[est1895]

I currently have Windows XP home 32bit.  By getting Windows 8, for only $40.00 and not Windows 7 for 3 times that much, seems the better deal.

[LHN91]

Shouldn't be an issue necessarily, as you don't need more ram to run 64bit. As a side note though, keep in mind that DDR2 has gotten rather pricey.

[Klaustrophobia]

it's not that bad when you look at it in perspective instead of per-GB.  $25-30 for 2 GB, max out your 32 bit OS for $50 or less.  my old system that ran DDR2 only ever had 2 GB.  my laptop did too until a couple months ago, and bumping up to 3 didn't do much for it.

If you're running XP then maybe an OS upgrade is due, but if you're on 7 or Vista I really wouldn't bother, considering your current system specs.

i wouldn't bother if you have XP either, unless there's something you have/want that won't run on XP or there's some feature on 8 you're dying to have.  if it works, why buy a new one? 

[Nuke]

zomg, 32 bit hasn't died yet? come on already!

[FlamingCobra]

Another question is has anyone tried to play Freespace 2 Mods on it (Windows 8)?  Also, FSPORT and Wing Commander?

The E uses Windows 8 ∴ FreeSpace/FreeSpace2 will work fine on Windows 8

Windows H8 to be more precise

[LHN91]

FSO seems to cooperate just as well on 8 as on 7, in my experience. I haven't tested it a whole lot, but from a quick test it's fine.

[Dragon]

zomg, 32 bit hasn't died yet? come on already!

It's not going to die too quickly. Quite a few things that would be rather difficult to replace are 32 bit. It's being phased out, but slowly.

[Nuke]

i just decommissioned an old computer that i built 8 years ago. it was a modest amd64 machine with 2gb ram. before i thumped its drive and stuck it in another computer, it was running win7 64 bit.

[est1895]

If your a gamer, like my brother, it would be better to spend $30 and get 2 more gigs of memory.

Does anyone know what time of the day Newegg's specials come out?  PST please.  There was a Samsung 830 series MZ-7PC128B/WW 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC SSD for only $69.99  But I was too late - Sold Out