Windows 7 32 or 64-bit? Advantages/disadvantages?

Forums › Microsoft Windows › Windows 7 32 or 64-bit? Advantages/disadvantages?

crikarika

80 posts

Master Geek
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#67984 12-Sep-2010 18:22

Hey everyone,
I have Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) X2 Dual-Core QL-65 (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
It says it's only using 2.87GB of available 4GB of RAM, and if I upgrade to 64-bit it will use all 4GB.
I'm just wondering if there are any specific disadvantages with using 64-bit instead of normal 32-bit.
Will it affect my computers performance, will I have problems with programs not being compatible, is there any point in actually upgrading to 64-bit?
Much appreciated.

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jtbthatsme

937 posts

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#379088 12-Sep-2010 18:46

I do not know a lot of pros and cons but here's the few i do know about.

Basically you get to use all ram and it's not that limited so if you wanted you could bump the ram to whatever your mobo can handle (or your budget).

The only downside that i'm aware of is that a lot of programs do not have 64 bit support in facct i recently had one where IE was telling me it couldn't do whatever it was at the time and to use it's 32bit browser.

But sooner or later you would like to think with the advent of multicore processors on the increase that 64bit will be the norm where 32bit may become the less common of the two. In saying that of course netbooks may stop that from happening.

richms

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#379092 12-Sep-2010 19:00

If you dont run old stuff, then its a no brainer to go 64 bit.

Some old software has issues, particularly cracks for old stuff.

Richard rich.ms

dothack

79 posts

Master Geek

#379120 12-Sep-2010 20:33

I switched to win 7 64bit this year from vista 32bit. Haven't had any major problems. I've only run into only a handful problems with some old software that isn't supported anymore. You can use virtualization to solve these tho if it's a must piece of software

Regs

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Snowflake

#379368 13-Sep-2010 17:21

i've been running win7 64bit for ages. no problems here. main issues is finding drivers for older equip.

internet explorer launches 32bit version by default, most plugins wont work with 64bit.

office 2010 is better installed with 32bit version as the plugins and other integrated apps are mostly 32bit support only.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#379370 13-Sep-2010 17:27

Having said that, you won't have any problem running most of modern programs on a 64 bit environment. I am using windows 64 bit since Vista and it's all working well...

You don't need your applications to be 64 bit, unless you are dealin with large amounts of data. But the 64 bit OS will allow you to use all the memory you put in your system, and perform a lot better because of that.

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crikarika

80 posts

Master Geek
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#381379 17-Sep-2010 18:04

Hey guys cheers on the feedback, looks like I can't do anything anyway. The upgrade disk is being stupid and wont run the 64-bit install. Dunno why. Cheers anyways everyone!

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boby55

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#381391 17-Sep-2010 18:52

crikarika: Hey guys cheers on the feedback, looks like I can't do anything anyway. The upgrade disk is being stupid and wont run the 64-bit install. Dunno why. Cheers anyways everyone!

In order to go from 32bit to 64 bit you need to do a clean install, So an upgrade disc won't work when trying to go from 32 to 64,

crikarika

80 posts

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#381396 17-Sep-2010 18:56

oh, thanks, I'll just clean install then. Learnt now haha

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Batman

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#381406 17-Sep-2010 19:33

err ... you know you are going to lose everything right?

crikarika

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#381480 17-Sep-2010 23:41

haha yeah I do I've backed up already. I'm not dumb :) thanks though haha

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jamezb3

15 posts

Geek

#381571 18-Sep-2010 10:48

You wont lose anything if you have enough space on your hard drive.
Insert your windows 7 disc and when you get to the page upgrade or custom install, click custom. windows will put all of your files in a folder called windows.old. Once you have moved all your user files ie pics, docs, music and so on, click start and type "disk in the search bar and run the disk cleanup. Tick old windows installations and it will erase the folder.

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b0untypure1

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#388513 5-Oct-2010 22:07

i love windows.old folder
it was there even after i had a virus !

metroplexomega

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#393340 18-Oct-2010 21:18

My configuration is

AMD Phenom II X4 810 @ 2.6 GHz
MSI 770-C45 M/B
4 GB DDR3 RAM
RADEON 4600HD PCI-E x16 (HDMI)
1 TB HD
500 GB HD
24x DVDRW

Windows 7 Professional x64

Been using it since the release date (about a year ago). Works absolutely fine. Great for gaming.