I recently installed Windows 7 32 bit. I have a 64bit compliant asrock motherboard and intel cpu. This motherboard supports up to 4gb of ram, which I have. I do want to install 64bit but I'm not sure if it would be worth it. I say so because I was reading on this forum yesterday about 4gb motherboards not being able to address all 4gb of ram even on 64bit.
Use your x64 DVD
Clean Install Windows 7
Almost all asus mobo will address full 4GBabout 4gb motherboards not being able to address all 4gb of ram even on 64bit
32 bit will use 3 to 3.5 GB ram
64 bit will use all 4GB
You cannot lose if you go with 64 bit. Worse case scenario you break out even; but as the prior poster has mentioned it should address all 4GB
Mine does while when I had 32bit installed it did not.
What about the memory addressing of the video card and such?
I have Windows 7 64 bit installed with only 3 gigs of RAM and it runs as smooth as silk, you will not lose anything if you install 64 bit- your CPU will probably operate faster and use up more RAM, but that's positive.
I would also suggest you check to see if your software and hardware is 64-bit compliant as well.
1- Do you have software that you absolutely need? Is is 64-bit compatible.
2- Does that printer/scanner/webcam have 64-bit drivers availabe?
3- Are there 64-bit drivers for all your hardware?
Just something to research before moving to a 64-bit OS.
My two cents.
I've always run 64bit without problems but if you were going to hit any snags I suspect it would be drivers for older peripherals.
Most of my applications (& some expensive ones at that) are 32 bit and run in Program Files(x86).
PS: Apart from time, can't you revert back to 32 bit if 64 bit doesn't work out for some reason?
Last edited by mjf; 30 Oct 2010 at 16:55. Reason: Add
Thanks for the replies. But remember, I wasn't asking about the components that will or will not work. I just wanted to know If I will get to use all 4GB of RAM.
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