64 bit, or 32 bit, that is the question...

Windows running with normal apps, like outlook and antivirus and messenger take 1.5GB of physical ram leaving 2.5GB of Ram which is plenty to play games today. 4GB is nice, 6 or 8 is better and some even turn off their swap. 64bit is more a hassle than 32bit from a driver perspective. Is there really any huge gain going 64, no. It's a persons choice, it's not recommended for everyone and 32bit is the defacto for Windows imho. Most apps like someone said are 32bit anyhow and run in compatibility mode while running 64bit. Try it and see if you like it, if you don't nobody is going to hate you.

fakeasdf said:

Read my signature... Second, less than 4gb it isn't better to go with 32 bits, 64 bit offers more than just the ability to address a memory set bigger than 2^32, it offers more hardware security features. It also offers a bigger and more advanced instruction set, that when taken advantage of can offer performance gains. And with 64 bit you can run new software that does take advantage of 64 bit technology or 32 bit software which doesn't take advantage of this technology without a performance hit. Go 64 and get the best of both worlds. Unless your hardware manufacturer is a DB and doesn't have drivers, which is so 2007... More than likely not an issue. 64 bit is definitely recommended.

agreed... go 64 and never look back

You can't upgrade from a x86 version to x64. You'll have to do a fresh install.

You have to boot the instillation. Either from a DVD or flash drive.

Noles said:

Bah. I didn't have to do that for the 32 bit one, I was hoping I wouldn't for the 64.

That's because you were running it off of a 32 bit OS.