Why get Windows 7 64bit

AllanJacques said:

But, allow me a question?
Do you think it is worth using windows 7 64-bit with 2 gig ram?
I mean, my notebook has only one slot for ram , but has a hd 2400 wich renders me more performance, and 4 gig modules are way too expensive for me...
So, 32 bit wouldnt hurt ram, as 32-bit os can handle 2gig quite fine.
But 64-bit would be overkill? Would it be slow or laggy or bad performance?
Thanks in advance!

I've been running Win 7 64-bit (Build 7000) with 2GB of very low spec DDR2 RAM.
Result: It was still way faster than Vista 64-bit.

I have no hesitation in recommending 64-bit.

As for 4GB DDR3 RAM modules, the price will come down during the year.

Zirro said:

I've been running Win 7 64-bit (Build 7000) with 2GB of very low spec DDR2 RAM.
Result: It was still way faster than Vista 64-bit.

I have no hesitation in recommending 64-bit.

As for 4GB DDR3 RAM modules, the price will come down during the year.

I tend to agree, but, with more than 4 gig ram the bennefits are obvious, it can see all the ram...
With 2 gig I tend to ask myself if there would be any improvement or bennefit?
What do you think about this?

Summary of Windows 64-bit Vista Compatibility

Advantages of 64-bit Vista

As of the summer of 2008, there are not very many advantages of a 64-bit desktop for ordinary users. Programs that rely on intensive calculation will benefit, but even there, 64-bit applications run only 10% faster than their 32-bit counterparts.
The main reason for investing in a 64-bit processor is that it makes your new computer future-proof. 32-bit operating systems can only address 4 GB of address space, whereas 64-bit can address at least 128 GB and maybe as much as 16 Terabytes. It is only natural that in the next few years more and more software will be released to take advantage of this extra address space.
Strangely, I cannot see a 64-bit version of Microsoft Office on the horizon; however, the 32-bit version runs fine on 64-bit Vista (or XP). This just re-enforces the view that the real beneficiaries of a 64-bit platform are database servers. Guy's Ezine 148 - Compatibility 64-bit Vista with 32-bit programs

While that refers to Vista it also points out the lack that will still be seen for 64bit softwares for some time despite 32bit emulation. The clintcher however was discussing the need for over 4gb comes from one blogger.

"Chris Flores, a regular blogger on the official Vista site, has revealed that the proportion of all US machines with Vista running the 64-bit edition has tripled in the past three months. And in the same period, the proportion of new installations being the 64-bit version has gone up from 3% to 20%. So 64-bit is growing at a quickening pace.
Flores’s piece aims to reassure potential buyers that any product marked compatible for Vista will run on both editions. He also says retail computers should generally work “quite well” in terms of driver compatibility, but isn’t making any promises for home-built machines. (There is a built-in compatibility mode to run 32-bit software on the 64-bit Vista, but its performance is patchy.)
The biggest advantage of a 64-bit machine for most people is its increased memory, usually at 4GB or more. Flores lists some studies showing the increased performance of high-memory machines under Vista. However, he’s cautious enough to point out that the average home user, who doesn’t need to run multiple memory-intensive programs (such as video editing) at once, will probably not see any major benefits at the moment.
There had been some speculation that Windows 7, due for release in 2010, would be a 64-bit only system. However, Microsoft recently confirmed it will be available in a 32-bit version as well. That’s likely a very sensible decision as it’s still unlikely 64-bit machines will become anywhere close to ‘standard’ within 18 months. And even when that does happen in the US, developing markets may still provide plenty of business for 32-bit systems." Microsoft ready for 64-bit push - VISTA.BLORGE

I'm pretty sure there are lots of viewers here who are more than familiar with the 64 bit side of things.

I've tried searching everywhere in vain for this driver, believe me I cannot find them even in Ralink and Averatec sites (yeah maybe I just don't know).

Anybody who can help me hit the nail in the head?

Thanks.

P.S. Actually I have this driver kept in one of my HDD (exclusively for drivers, ISOs and stuff). Unfortunately I used this HDD together with the HDD where I installed Windows 7 build 2048 x64, and one day when I was trying to access this driver HDD, access was denied and I was asked if I would like to format the HDD (which I did not). Oops I said to myself, removed the HDD and installed it on another PC, same thing, access denied/format the HDD. Anyway I haven't done anything yet to this HDD, figured I can use some recovery tools later.

Pogi said:

I'm pretty sure there are lots of viewers here who are more than familiar with the 64 bit side of things.

I've tried searching everywhere in vain for this driver, believe me I cannot find them even in Ralink and Averatec sites (yeah maybe I just don't know).

Anybody who can help me hit the nail in the head?

Thanks.

P.S. Actually I have this driver kept in one of my HDD (exclusively for drivers, ISOs and stuff). Unfortunately I used this HDD together with the HDD where I installed Windows 7 build 2048 x64, and one day when I was trying to access this driver HDD, access was denied and I was asked if I would like to format the HDD (which I did not). Oops I said to myself, removed the HDD and installed it on another PC, same thing, access denied/format the HDD. Anyway I haven't done anything yet to this HDD, figured I can use some recovery tools later.

You mean those found at Ralink RT61 Turbo Wireless LAN Card Driver Download or TriGem

Night Hawk said:

You mean those found at Ralink RT61 Turbo Wireless LAN Card Driver Download or TriGem

The TriGem link proved fruitful. Funny I cannot get anything from the same site before.

Thanks a lot, really helpful!

Ok, so I am using Win 7 64-bit build 7057 and so far, things seem ok...
my major complain is that it eats a lot more memory than 32 but that doesnt make it unusable...
4gig might be better, but, so far, 4 gig modules for notebooks are still a golden ticket to willy wonkas factory.
anyway, thanks for your time and help.

Most of the time people were jumping on the 64bit editions of Vista in order to see far more memory installed and available on gaming systems. While having a degree of extra ram available can always help some simply go overboard where the actual requirements are lower and benefits seen are far less then expected.

The fact that you are seeing good results with 4gb suggests you already have extra ram seen from the start. The analogy there however was supposed to add a little humour for the day with a little sarcasm nothing serious.

Okay... sorry, but english isnt my first language so humor is a little hard to get...
Anyway, I am seeing nice performance with 2gig, no worse but no better than 32-bit version...
Should I expect any other bennefits?

From what I hear from those running Vista 64bit with 2gb of memory they don't really see any performance leap while noticing that anything 64bit will run more effectively.

Eveentually everyone will see the transition from 32bit to 64bit once software companies get moving on things while 7 sees an improvement in 32bit emulation for the present softwares avaialble. Vista being delayed for so long saw everything written for the 32bit XP ruling the current software market. So you know it will take a few years for everything to trend over.

7 now sees a majpr refinement of the Vista kernel both 32bit and 64bit alike there making it the more desirable OS soon to be available retail. I think you already guessed the answer as to which kernel will be what's called "future proof"(64bit). While the retail package for 7 once out will see both 32bit and 64bit disks together for maybe one last long look at 32bit.