Windows 7: Difference between Windows X86 , 32bit and 64 bit

Cyril · 25 Jan 2013

Hello everybody , I am new in this forum , I want to know what is the difference between Windows x86 , 32 bit and 64 bit

What differentiates them on the Hardwares ?

Thank you in advance for your answers.

Cyril.

braddersz · 25 Jan 2013

Windows 32 bit is designed for systems with 3gb or lower RAM. Although it can pick up 4GB + RAM. It can only utilise a max of 3GB so the rest of the ram is pointless.

If your wanting to install 4GB or more Memory, Then we would advise you to use a windows 64 Bit operating system.

Windows 64 bit accepts and can allow the use of 4GBram or more.

Kari · 25 Jan 2013

In addition to what Braddersz already mentioned, a bit misleading term x86 is the same than 32-bit.

First Intel's CPU that was really 32-bit was 80386, and because the older Intel 16-bit processors already had number 86 used in their names, the X was put in front of that to separate it (for instance Intel 8086 processor was known as 86).

Short:

X86 or X86-32 or 32-bit = processor has 32-bit instruction set, architecture is 32-bit
X86-64 or 64-bit = processor has 64-bit instruction set, architecture is 64-bit

Kari

Cyril · 25 Jan 2013

Thank you Bradderzz and kari for your answers.
any details are welcome

I have some others questions if you can help me a little further

Can i put an OS 32 in an Hardware on 64 Bit ?

So it's just the CPU or the motherboard also who limits the number of bit?

caperjack · 25 Jan 2013

yes a 32 bit os will run on a 32-64 bit motherboard ,but the 64bit OS will not run on the 32bit only motherboard .
not all motherboard have both 32 and 64 bit ,most commercial older ones are only 32bit

oreo27 · 25 Jan 2013

Yes, but almost anything after Pentium 4 will run 64 bit. For the normal end user like me, a 64bit OS is highly recommended especially with 4GB of RAM and above.

caperjack · 25 Jan 2013

Quote: Originally Posted by oreo27

Yes, but almost anything after Pentium 4 will run 64 bit. For the normal end user like me, a 64bit OS is highly recommended especially with 4GB of RAM and above.

cant dispute that because i don't have a p4 kicking around to try it on ,but im sure it tried in the past on a pyx86 and it did not alow me to load Windows 7 64bit onto it because it was not 64bit compatible

Cyril · 25 Jan 2013

If I understood the difference between 64 bit and 32 bit, it's the processing capacity of bit at 0 or 1 of CPU or the motherboard ?

Another thing comes to my mind , I have an OS 64 Bit and I must run a program only compatible 32-bit how can i do?

pscowboy · 26 Jan 2013

There is generally no problem installing a 32bit program in a 64bit OS.

ScubaSteve333 · 26 Jan 2013

In short, if you have 4GB+ of memory, you need a 64-bit OS to utilize your hardware. There are many more positives of running 64bit, just make sure your hardware supports 64bit.

Windows 7: Difference between Windows X86 , 32bit and 64 bit

Difference between Windows X86 , 32bit and 64 bit problems?