Windows 7: thinking about x64. advice?

i've heard that windows 7 will come with both x86 and x64. i've always run x86, even though my processor is x64 compatible, because i only run 2gb ram, and i've always read that you really don't benefit much from x64 at that level.



but since i have to do a clean install when it comes out in october anyway, i am thinking about getting more ram and going for it.

what do i need to know? any advice? should i expect to struggle with drivers? is there a chance my hardware won't work? how can i prepare for this?

If you have a 64bit capable CPU I don't see any problems..

If a program is designed to run on 32bit, you can still run it on a 64bit OS..it just won't run in 64bit mode.

I would upgrade that ram though for sure, to as much as you can.

Yeah certainly do go for 64-bit. You might as well make full utilisation of your computers hardware.

The amount of ram doesnt mean you get more or less of an OS. It just might run slower with less ram which could be a good opportunity for you to buy more ram.

Ive had little trouble with drivers, all my hardware is supported either through windows update or from the manufacturers website.

You might also want to run this application: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en to test out your system.

Go for it, ram is dirt cheap.

if you have a OEM PC, like a pre built one, just visit the site, usually they will have x64 versions of your drivers available for download.

64 bit, the whole system runs better than 32 bit by a lot.

x64 is the future. Might as well go for it. x86 apps run fine on it anyway. If your hardware is all within 2 or 3 years old, there should be x64 drivers for it.

Biggest problem with x64 I have found is the signed driver requirement of Windows x64, because I run a few apps that don't have signed drivers but there are work arounds for that little issue, so it's all good.

If you don't know what kind of RAM you have download a program called "CPU-Z" (Google it) it will tell you everything about your cpu and ram, then go to Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more! and order up some ram.

But not sure how you can check how much ram your motherboard supports or how much per stick..maybe someone else can chip in on that.

He can use the wizard like tool at micron.com to figure out what kind of ram his machine needs, then order it from someplace cheaper like Newegg.

I already told him how to check what type of ram..what I couldn't tell him was how he can check how much ram his computer can hold or per stick.

Edit: Just noticed the OP is not from the U.S.A..Newegg is probably not the best bet then. Shipping would be crazy, if they even shipped to you lol.