64 bit or not?

mccoady said:

I have a desktop running 32 bit XP and even though I can't find anywhere on my computer where it shows 64 bit compatible Windows Upgrade Advisor says it is. Everything it lists as 32 bit compatible it also lists as 64 bit compatible.

I've been going back and forth on whether to install 32 or 64 bit Windows 7. I have 4GB of Ram installed but of course XP is only seeing 3.25GB and it's doubtful I will ever install anymore even if I go the 64 bit route. I realize this is one of the benefits to installing 64 bit.

What I'm worried about is whether all my software programs that I know will run on Windows 7 32 bit will also run on 64 bit. My laptop is now running Windows 7 32 bit and I run a lot of the the same programs (as my desktop) and so far I've not ran into any problems but of course we're talking about 32 bit here (there are some programs running on the XP desktop that are not on my laptop so they aren't even verified to run in Windows 7 32 bit...).

Going to Microsoft Compatibility site and looking up individual programs doesn't help much because so many simply say "more info coming" regardless of 32 or 64 bit.

So:

1. Can I assume that programs that run on my laptop in Windows 7 32 bit will also run fine in 64 bit?

2. I know there are 64 bit versions of Comodo, Avast, SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, iTunes, etc. so I realize there would be no problem making the transition from Windows 7 32 bit to 64 bit with a lot of these programs. What about other smaller, more obscure programs that may or may not say Windows 7 compatible and nothing about whether or not 64 bit compatible?

3. I've found 64 bit driver updates for my printer and scanner but are there other drivers I may not be aware of that might cause a problem? Windows Upgrade Advisor lists my IDT High Definition Audio CODEC and NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT as being compatible in both 32 or 64 bit. I also have a Logitech cordless mouse and keyboard but don't if they would be an issue or not.

3. Overall is it worth all the trouble going 64 bit in case some programs or drivers didn't work?

1. No

2. You may have problems with some of the older and/or more obscure programs.

3. Most manufacturers that have made 64 bit drivers in the past (like for Vista) have put out ones for Windows 7, but not all yet.

4. In my opinion, I would stick with 32 bit for now, especially since you don't plan to upgrade anything in the near future.

FWIW, I went from XP to 32 bit Windows 7 and have not found anything that would not run, including an old (1999) CD burning program I like that isn't even made anymore (Micro CD Burner).

Just an opinion. I have 64 bit. I think it is the way to go, because it is the wave of the future. For my needs there is not really much improvement in speed etc. MS has already indicated that they are thinking about having only 64 bit in the future. If that is the case it will only be a matter of time until appl come only in 64 bit. Ask yourself this, would you be happy today, if your computer could only use 16 bit.

This is not THE answer, this is something that is subjective, but it is THE answer for me. You have to decide what your needs are. I have only had one problem with drivers a scrabble game, that worked with Windows 98, but not with Vista or Win 8 64.

richc46 said:

Just an opinion. I have 64 bit. I think it is the way to go, because it is the wave of the future. For my needs there is not really much improvement in speed etc. MS has already indicated that they are thinking about having only 64 bit in the future. If that is the case it will only be a matter of time until appl come only in 64 bit. Ask yourself this, would you be happy today, if your computer could only use 16 bit.

This is not THE answer, this is something that is subjective, but it is THE answer for me. You have to decide what your needs are. I have only had one problem with drivers a scrabble game, that worked with Windows 98, but not with Vista or Win 8 64.

I think that 64 bit is the future also - at least until the 128 bit comes along. :)

That said, it looks to me like 64 bit still has a little way to go, and I would stess little. For the immediate present, and probably the next year or so, 32 bit looks like it will provide more stable systems. There's still work to do on drivers for 64 bit, as well as apps. Christmas 2010 will be for 64 bit systems, for sure.

A lot of the debate is opinion, but I've seen more 64 bit issues here that 32 bit ones when the issue can be attributed to the version of the OS.

I've been running 64bit Vista and now Win7 for over a year now with no issues.
Three computer running 64bit and the last one will have it in the next few days.

Driver issues are a thing of the past, unless you have really old hardware or program you can't live without.
Vista 64bit drivers will work on Win7.

Get your 32bit running smooth, make a backup image in case you want to go back, then install the 64bit. Give it a test drive, see if you notice any difference.
You can always restore the 32bit image if need be.

Let us know how it goes when you install the 64bit.