Difference between 64 and 32 bit OS

Hi there.

I'm wanting to upgrade my laptop memory, it has 3gb, (1 x 1gb 1x 2GB) sticks in atm, i'm wanting to take out the stick of 1gb ram and replace it with a 4gb stick, so i'll have 6GB altogether, the only problem is, i'd have to install a 64bit version of Windows, I have Winodws 7 Ultimate 32bit installed atm, my Windows disc does come with the 64bit version but i'm not too keen on the idea of having to use the 64bit OS.

Other than supporting more RAM, is there any other differences I may notice with the 64bit version, performance wise? Does it perform better with the CPU, HDD etc? Does it have better transfter rate speeds? and is it any better for gaming?

Any help would be great, i'm not a noob when it comes to Computers, ive just never needed to install a 64bit version on any of my Computers before, but as games are getting bigger and needing more hardware to run them, I think i'm best upgrading to the 64bit.

Thanks.

IMHO, your system is perfectly fine with 3 GB and 32 bit OS.

Adding more memory and making it 64 bit is not going to offer you the improvement you're thinking or hoping for.

KingMarduk said:

Hi there.

I'm wanting to upgrade my laptop memory, it has 3gb, (1 x 1gb 1x 2GB) sticks in atm, i'm wanting to take out the stick of 1gb ram and replace it with a 4gb stick, so i'll have 6GB altogether, the only problem is, i'd have to install a 64bit version of Windows, I have Winodws 7 Ultimate 32bit installed atm, my Windows disc does come with the 64bit version but i'm not too keen on the idea of having to use the 64bit OS.

Other than supporting more RAM, is there any other differences I may notice with the 64bit version, performance wise? Does it perform better with the CPU, HDD etc? Does it have better transfter rate speeds? and is it any better for gaming?

Any help would be great, i'm not a noob when it comes to Computers, ive just never needed to install a 64bit version on any of my Computers before, but as games are getting bigger and needing more hardware to run them, I think i'm best upgrading to the 64bit.

Thanks.

Hi KingMarduk! Welcome to SevenForums! There's a great article here: bit-tech.net | 64-bit: More than just the RAM which explains in depth, the advantages and disadvantages.

Thanks,
ZeshanA
If I helped, click the scales at the top right of my post and click I Approve.

ZeshanA said:

There's a great article here: bit-tech.net | 64-bit: More than just the RAM which explains in depth, the advantages and disadvantages.

Pretty good article for the mildly-techy. Worthy of note is that it was written 2 yrs ago and since then the 64-bit OS has gained significant share.
As noted, Adobe is already supplying 64 bit software and you can be sure many others are too, as x64 is finally hitting mainstream.

So, will it speed up your email? No. But is there software on the shelf right now that can make use of it? Yes. More simply; if you have use for 6 gigs of RAM, you have use for a 64-bit OS.

KingMarduk said:

Other than supporting more RAM, is there any other differences I may notice with the 64bit version, performance wise? Does it perform better with the CPU, HDD etc? Does it have better transfter rate speeds? and is it any better for gaming?

No.

ok thanks for all your help, appreciated :)

KingMarduk said:

I'm wanting to upgrade my laptop memory, it has 3gb, (1 x 1gb 1x 2GB) sticks in atm, i'm wanting to take out the stick of 1gb ram and replace it with a 4gb stick, so i'll have 6GB altogether, the only problem is, i'd have to install a 64bit version of Windows, I have Winodws 7 Ultimate 32bit installed atm, my Windows disc does come with the 64bit version but i'm not too keen on the idea of having to use the 64bit OS.

Most applications are still 32 bit, and can't exploit the extra RAM.

(One exception: the 64 bit version of Adobe Photoshop CS4.)

However, it may be tempting to expand the RAM anyway, as long as it's inexpensive.

Does your notebook accept 4GB SODIMMs, though? I'm not certain about that, but it looks like it may not accept modules larger than 2GB.