System speed/memory considerations x86 vs. x64

Currently I have Windows Server 2008 x64 installed on my machine. I'm about to reinstall when R2 comes out (few more days). Since I still remember all the tweaking with various device drivers, I'm thinking of installing an x86 version which has better Vista x86 driver support (that are also compatible with WinSrv2k8 AFAIK).

I have 4GB of memory which should be utilised without a problem on both platforms.

Would you suggest going to x86 or try the same driver hell all over again on x64? Would there be any significant speed issues? Memory issues?

I am/will also running several VMs of various kinds (x86 and x64). I know my hardware supports running x64 guests in x86 hosts already, so that shouldn't be a problem.

For this kind of question I would suggest having a read of the 4sysops posts on the recent x86 vs x64 discussions.

• Windows 7 x64 or Windows 7 x86? My experiences with Vista 64-bit
• Windows 7: 64-bit or 32-bit? Memory and performance
• Vista x86 or Vista x64? What about hardware compatibility?
• Poll: Vista x86 or Vista x64? What is your choice?

My suggestion? Since you are already running x64 then I would just stick with it. Majority of servers nowadays should all be on x64 technology. The idea of future proofing also comes to mind.

You haven't got a choice if you're going Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 R2 is the first Windows OS platform to go 64-bit only.