If you can get a 64 bit machine, get it, only look for more cheap is a reason for stay in the old thing..

This reading can be interesting (very much!):

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/muglia_winserver.asp


- MS assume it won't make sense to ship 32bits servers anymore
- MS quite openly admits that Intel's got trampled on the 64bits issue,
the diplomatic AMD DID good work and we're sure Intel WILL do
good work is a quite funny bit (hear Dell, hear)
- SQL Server 2005 will have NATIVE 64bits
- Already 10,000 drivers converted to 64bits
- They're "pretty bullish about [the industry] turning over pretty
rapidly [to 64bits]"

Also, you can expect some speed advantage, include running "old" win32 code. The advantage under 64 bit os/app is best.