Can I run Windows 7 64-bit?

sancho22 · 21 Sep 2009

Here are my computer's specs: Motherboard - Dell 0RY007
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8200
4 x 1 GB RAM
OS - Windows Vista Home Premium x86

I've searched and searched and still don't understand whether I will be able to run Windows 7 x64. I know my processor supports 64-bit, but is that all I need, or does the motherboard have to be compatible too? Will I be able to at least RUN Windows 7 x64, whether it gives me increased performance or not? The reason I ask is there's a cheap ($100) upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on journeyed.com/select, and it appears that they don't have a price-reduced 32-bit windows 7 ultimate. Thank you.

johngalt · 21 Sep 2009

Nope - you need to make sure that your motherboard supports a 64bit OS as well.

Although it is pretty much a given that a mobo using a Core2Duo will support 64bit OSs, it is always best to be sure.

Then, the next thing in your planning stage would be to research all your devices (motherboard, HDs, input devices, external devices, etc.) to make sure that either Windows 7 x64 has built in devices drivers or else that 64bit drivers are available from a 3rd party site....

Antman · 21 Sep 2009

Dell cripples motherboards before they build PCs around them. Check your service tag at Dell (look for a 64-bit option in the drivers). Or, provide your service tag and someone here will check.

0RY007 is not a service tag.

bobkn · 22 Sep 2009

sancho22 said:

Here are my computer's specs: Motherboard - Dell 0RY007
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8200
4 x 1 GB RAM
OS - Windows Vista Home Premium x86

I've searched and searched and still don't understand whether I will be able to run Windows 7 x64. I know my processor supports 64-bit, but is that all I need, or does the motherboard have to be compatible too? Will I be able to at least RUN Windows 7 x64, whether it gives me increased performance or not? The reason I ask is there's a cheap ($100) upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on journeyed.com/select, and it appears that they don't have a price-reduced 32-bit windows 7 ultimate. Thank you.

One way to tell: check for available drivers at support.dell.com. If your system is in fact a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop, there are Vista X64 drivers available for it, so you'd be fine with Win7 X64.

$100 for a Win7 Ultimate upgrade seems a bit good to be true, but there are all sorts of student discounts. If you can live with Home Premium, and are a college student (.edu email address, or affiliated with a listed college that doesn't provide a .edu address), it's available for $30:

Windows 7 US Online Store - Student Registration

sancho22 · 22 Sep 2009

Thank you so much everyone for replying! Yes, my computer is a Dell Inspiron 530 and the service tag is G0QKLH1. I went to support.dell.com and looked at the drivers available for Vista x64. Looks good! But I have another question: Looking at the drivers, I believe my BIOS I have now is the same version as the x64 version, but the chipset would be different, right? And when would I update that, before, during, or after installing Windows 7? Thanks!

Edit: Yeah, that home premium (and professional, too!) looks great at $30, although I'd like the backup CD so I'd have to pay like $40. However, I think journeyed.com is legit and, being a computer science (sort of) student, I'd really like the ultimate version for $100.

Antman · 22 Sep 2009

Confirm current BIOS during boot. Look at the screen - it is the A?? number that comes up.

If an update is available, apply it BEFORE upgrading.

Antman · 22 Sep 2009

Judging by the current BIOS release date, you likely need this BIOS update.

The chipset date likely means that a current release of Win7 includes at least that chipset driver, if not a newer one.

You look good to go. DO NOT DELETE your Dell recovery partition and you can easily return to your prior OS in the event of a disaster or distaste for Win7.

Search SevenForums for Dell 530 and you can peek at known issues. There are some.

Dave76 · 22 Sep 2009

sancho22 said:

Here are my computer's specs: Motherboard - Dell 0RY007
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8200
4 x 1 GB RAM
OS - Windows Vista Home Premium x86

I've searched and searched and still don't understand whether I will be able to run Windows 7 x64. I know my processor supports 64-bit, but is that all I need, or does the motherboard have to be compatible too? Will I be able to at least RUN Windows 7 x64, whether it gives me increased performance or not? The reason I ask is there's a cheap ($100) upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on journeyed.com/select, and it appears that they don't have a price-reduced 32-bit windows 7 ultimate. Thank you.

I know that MOBO. Yes you can run 64bit.

Click the start orb, right click 'computer', then 'Properties', in the lower left corner click 'Performance' for Vista, 'Performance information and tools' in Win7, in the middle right click 'View and print detailed performance and system information', you will see the 64bit info there.
You can use the Dell Vista 64bit drivers with Win7.

You can check with Dell also.

BIOS version should be 1.0.18

The chipset driver for 64bit is 8.3.0.1018, A01, and it is different than the 32bit chipset driver.

When you install your new Win7 x64, switch your bios setting, in 'Advanced', 'SATA Mode', from IDE to RAID. You'll get better performance from your hard drives and be able to use plug and play with external HDs.

Check the Dell Download & Driver site, there is 1 new driver for x86 (dated 22 sept) and 5 new drivers for x64 (dated 22 sept).

DeaconFrost · 22 Sep 2009

Even if Dell didn't have drivers for x64 OSes, that doesn't mean you couldn't run them. You would just have to find them out. You're processor supports it, so you would be good to go from a hardware standpoint, especially if you are using a common chipset, like Intel.

The bigger question is...how come you've been wasting some of your RAM all this time?

zigzag3143 · 22 Sep 2009

sancho22 said:

Here are my computer's specs: Motherboard - Dell 0RY007
CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8200
4 x 1 GB RAM
OS - Windows Vista Home Premium x86

I've searched and searched and still don't understand whether I will be able to run Windows 7 x64. I know my processor supports 64-bit, but is that all I need, or does the motherboard have to be compatible too? Will I be able to at least RUN Windows 7 x64, whether it gives me increased performance or not? The reason I ask is there's a cheap ($100) upgrade to Windows 7 Ultimate x64 on journeyed.com/select, and it appears that they don't have a price-reduced 32-bit windows 7 ultimate. Thank you.

goto grc.com download the free app called secura. It will tell you straight away

I would say yes, but be sure download secura

Ken