The RAM limit is 4 GB per core, IIRC, and most CPUs are dualcore now. You won't lose any performance running a 32bit OS on a 64bit CPU, compared to running a 32bit OS on an equally powerful 32bit CPU.
I'd run 64bit windows if all my hardware had good 64bit drivers, but I'm not sure it does. You won't suffer a performance loss with running 32bit applications on a 64bit OS after all.
And who said you have to *buy* the OS? ;)
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