Windows 7: Running 64-bit Windows 7 on 1.5 Gigs of RAM?

Nax Shale Chan · 23 Oct 2009

Exactly what the title says. Can I run 64-bit Windows 7 with only 1.5 GB of RAM? The minimum system specs on Microsoft's website are 2 GB for 64-bit, but I'm not sure if that's recommended or required. I'm getting Windows 7 Professional upgrade for $30 USD, so I want to know if I can use 64-bit vs 32-bit.

I already know that none of the printers I have work with Windows 7, but that's fine. All my other hardware is covered.

Antman · 24 Oct 2009

You can do it.

The question is "Why Would You Want To?" You will not benefit, rather you will be performance penalized.

DocBrown · 24 Oct 2009

Did you run the Windows 7 Compatibility Advisor ?

Windows 7 Compatibility Center home

Antman · 24 Oct 2009

DocBrown is the resident authority on running Windows 7 on non-recommended platforms. I think the Doc has Windows 7 installed on his refrigerator.

DocBrown · 24 Oct 2009

Antman is bragging about me again

Nax

Have you checked to see how much memory you could easily add to your motherboard?

Nax Shale Chan · 24 Oct 2009

I have a laptop, and I would run 64-bit because I have a dual-core AMD proc (two years old though), and I can easily upgrade to 2 or even 4 gigs of RAM if I decided to buy it. I've only got two slots, but 4 gigs is plenty.

So I guess my next question is, if I were restricted to 1.5 or 2 gigs of RAM vs 3 or 4 gigs, would I be better off sticking with 32-bit over 64-bit?

DocBrown · 24 Oct 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Nax Shale Chan

I have a laptop, and I would run 64-bit because I have a dual-core AMD proc (two years old though), and I can easily upgrade to 2 or even 4 gigs of RAM if I decided to buy it. I've only got two slots, but 4 gigs is plenty.

So I guess my next question is, if I were restricted to 1.5 or 2 gigs of RAM vs 3 or 4 gigs, would I be better off sticking with 32-bit over 64-bit?

I ran 2gb Ram on x64 desktop for 4 months during beta testing of Windows 7.

No problems, but I did not run too many things at one time.

Now I have 4gb on this desktop x64 & have had as many as 9 IE tabs open
& about 20 gadgets running on desktop

So you can do the x64 & always look forward to upgrading the Ram later, as I did.

Nax Shale Chan · 24 Oct 2009

Hmm... Well, the most I ever do at one time is, on a really busy night, of homework, 2-3 word docs, an excel spreadsheet, a pdf possibly, foobar2000 for music, and 3-4 firefox tabs. I figure I should be ok. Plus, I use Rainmeter... uses less RAM than gadgets. :P

Dave76 · 24 Oct 2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Nax Shale Chan

I have a laptop, and I would run 64-bit because I have a dual-core AMD proc (two years old though), and I can easily upgrade to 2 or even 4 gigs of RAM if I decided to buy it. I've only got two slots, but 4 gigs is plenty.

So I guess my next question is, if I were restricted to 1.5 or 2 gigs of RAM vs 3 or 4 gigs, would I be better off sticking with 32-bit over 64-bit?

It will depend on what you do with your computer.
3D rendering or other resource demanding apps will be painful, if not impossible, with 1.5GB RAM in Windows 7 64 bit.

For normal use, e-mail. browsing, word processing, etc. and planning on upgrading your RAM in the not so distant future, you can probably live with a little inconvenience for a while. Although, I haven't tested it myself.

If your not planning to upgrade your RAM anytime soon, 32bit will be the better choice.

So, to answer your original question, Yes, stay with 32 bit.

One of my laptops is a low spec version with 2GB RAM and is running very nicely, though it's not ever stressed.

usasma · 24 Oct 2009

The laptop in your profile is limited to 2gB of RAM (from this link: Computer memory upgrades for HP - Compaq Presario F572US Laptop/Notebook from Crucial.com )

So, I'd stick with 32 bit as you'll never get the benefit of added RAM on that system.

Windows 7: Running 64-bit Windows 7 on 1.5 Gigs of RAM?

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