64-bit will let you address more than 4GB of RAM, so that's definitely recommended, as is buying as much RAM as you can afford. 8GB is not overkill. Even if you have a 32-bit version of Photoshop that can only use 3GB of RAM, you can max out Photoshop's RAM usage and still have plenty for system usage and plugins (which often use RAM outside the area Photoshop reserves for its own use).
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Ed
I used to do my work on 2GB RAM and kept hitting the wall every time I attempted to work on a multiple (5+) image from my 1Ds II for a panorama. I got smart (sort of) and went to a much larger configuration (light dim in the neighborhood when I power this thing up). I went to a Dell Precision 690 Mini-Tower:
• Dual Core Xeon Pro 5050, 3.ooHz 2x 2mb L2 Cache 667MHz
• 2nd Processor, Dual Core Xeon Pro 5050, 3.ooHz 2x 2mb L2 Cache 667MHz
• 8GB, DDR2 ECC SDRAM 533MHz
• Quad monitor config w/ 2X128MBPCie x16 NVidia Quadro NVS285 cards in graphics riser, 4DVI
• 2 160GB Serial ATA 10K RPM Harddrives (I later added to 750GB Harddrives for a total of 4) I use one of the 160GB drives as my scratch drive.
I am running 2 Dell 24" monitors as well as a Wacom Cintiq 12WX with no problems.
I've had this system since July 2006 using Win XP Pro 64 then changing over to VISTA Ultimate 64 in Dec 2007. I've found that the system just appears to run smoother and maybe just a little faster since going to VISTA. The only complaint I have is Epson not keeping up with VISTA and loosing some minor things I had gotten used to when working on my 4000 and 9800.
I process large images to include in excess of 30x60 panoramas without any problems whatsoever. I use CS3 and after talking to the Adobe techie I've got the RAM set at 87% which is 2897 and the entire scratch drive (the 160GB 10K RPM), I have never encountered a memory problem. All three monitors are calibrated. Almost forgot to add - I also have an older Buffalo Terastation (2TB) that I also use for storage while backing-up on DVD's.
My files from the camera (P30+) can be quite large, especially when I use the 28mm lens; I've worked up a multiple image of the Grand Canyon using 4 shots from the 28mm that didn't task the memory at all.
It hasn't been all rosy with the system with the largest problem being the drivers. I had this system built in 2006 and it took me several weeks to get all the drivers I needed to work my printers etc. I was still using Win XP Pro 64 last year when I brought a new laser printer and try as I might I couldn't get it to work properly with Win XP that was the deciding factor to switch to VISTA. At least the drivers were there for VISTA.
Do you need all this? That not up to me. What I recommend is that you get the faster computer you can afford and stuff it with as much RAM as it will hold (and you can afford). Add a kick ass graphics card(s) that will allow you to run multiple monitors. Go for fast harddrives (I think you can get 15k RPM now) and think about having one for a dedicated scratch disk. It'll be great when Adobe goes to 64 bit for Photoshop I think I read that Lightroom (beta) will not support 64? If that's true the Photoshop can't be too far behind.
don
