Huh? I have not run into a single problem running any of my 32-bit components under Vista 64-bit. I have an older Canon scanner, an older Canon printer, a Netgear wireless WiFi PCI card, etc and the drivers are all 32-bit for them. However, they function quite fine. That is not to say that there isn't something somewhere out there that will refuse to run, but I have not had this problem.

About the quad core issue:

While an application may not be designed to take advantage of a quad core, that does not mean it is a waste to get one. Since there are four cores you can run four apps (if you like) at full efficiency (each one taking advantage of a core) and zip right along. However, for those applications that DO take advantage of it ... well ... then you will certainly see another advantage.

As was already pointed out: quad core prices are not very high these days (not at the lower end). Unless you want the latest and greatest CPU then the price is very nice (as much or less than a decent video card). I know my video card was much more than the CPU.