Windows 7 64 or 32 bit ?

[Ol Smoke]

I have read some stuff about these two versions but I can't make up my mind.

 

What will I get with the 64 bit  that I won't get with the 32 bit?

 

Is it true that the actual speed of the computer won't increase in the 64 bit mode unless you are

using a 64bit program?

 

Is 8MB of RAM enough?  I have 4MB now.

 

The Windows upgrade program says everything will work with the 32 bit W7 but two of my hardware

components will not work with the 64bit version.  None of my stuff will work with Win8.

 

I should have kept up with this stuff but I didn't  so I am relying on you guys to help me with this

change.

[ajnl]

What hardware components won't work with 64 bit?

 

I think you mean 8GB?

[Xernicus]

Well if you've got 8gb of RAM, and you go with the 32 bit version, you'll only be able to use 3.5gb of it, same with 4gb. What are the hardware components that supposedly won't work? Perhaps there's a different driver or a workaround that can be done. I personally would choose the 64bit edition over the 32bit, simply because 32bit is an aging and an increasingly obsolete, memory width.

[GoldenWings]

I also use the 64 bit version

 

[S3ti]

Imo, if you are not in hardcore graphics- or video editing or use some highly specialized memory intensive software for whatever there's no real benefit or 'must have' advantage for 64bit by now for the average PC user. Also the 3,5 GB technical limitation with 32bit systems is not true: http://www.geoffchappell.com/notes/windows/license/memory.htm For the average PC user 3,5 GB RAM are enough anyway.

 

Sure if you are going to buy a new rig with all compatible 64bit hard- and software there's no reason not to do so. If you need 100% 32bit compatibility for whatever old hard- or software you may run into problems.

Edited September 22, 2013 by S3ti

[Antichrist]

I'd go for 64 bit.

 

All 32 bit programs work on 64 bit. 

 

ZERO 64 bit programs work on 32 that I know of.

[UAdave]

Go 64..8GB of RAM is worthless without it.

[JoeDirt]

I have read some stuff about these two versions but I can't make up my mind.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows-frequently-asked-questions

What will I get with the 64 bit  that I won't get with the 32 bit?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-windows-frequently-asked-questions

Is it true that the actual speed of the computer won't increase in the 64 bit mode unless you are

using a 64bit program?

Of course there is a speed increase, your CPU is processing twice as many bits per clock cycle.

Is 8MB of RAM enough?  I have 4MB now.

Depending on what you will do with it. 8 GB is cheap,.

The Windows upgrade program says everything will work with the 32 bit W7 but two of my hardware

components will not work with the 64bit version.  None of my stuff will work with Win8.

There are people that develop 3rd party drivers for Win7x64.

I should have kept up with this stuff but I didn't  so I am relying on you guys to help me with this

change.

I personally use Win8 on all my machines. Even my old HTPC is pushing 6 years now,  took the upgrade like a champ, I needed 2 drivers but Win7 drivers worked fine (note this might not be true in your case). As for keeping up good luck with tha

The downside is the 16bit support is disabled so your old Win98 programs won't run, well unless you have the version of Win7 that supports XP mode.

[Ol Smoke]

Thank you so much for the help.  So I will get the PRO version of 64bit win7.  I was going to go 32bit because a friend gave me that one.

But I would like to have some more speed.

[S3ti]

Thank you so much for the help.  So I will get the PRO version of 64bit win7.  I was going to go 32bit because a friend gave me that one.

But I would like to have some more speed.

In reality you won't notice any difference in speed and when using 32bit apps, most of them will actually be a little bit slower. It's by no means twice as fast if the program isn't made and well optimized for 64bit, also the boot-time etc. will be pretty much the same on the same hardware. When it comes to encoding or other intensive stuff it can go a lot faster with some 64bit apps + you will have native support for big amounts of RAM. So why not if your hardware can handle it, but speed in general is no argument for switching to 64bit.

[putts]

Unless you're using a PC that is over 5 years old and the motherboard supports only up to 4GB, don't bother with 32bit.

[Ol Smoke]

Well I did it!   I ordered Windows 7 Pro 64.  I managed to get it for $69.  I bought 2 so I could do my wife's PC also.

Hopefully everything will work out.

 

After rechecking my hardware I found I only have one problem and that is my ancient Epson 1240u scanner.

But it says there is another company that makes a driver for it, so I will check them out.  It is too good a scanner

to give it up now.

 

So now I have to get 8GB of memory or 16GB whichever is a better deal.

 

 

Thanks to you guys for all the help.  It was much appreciated.

[JoeDirt]

Apparently if you can find the Vista x64 driver it will work in Win7.