Should I switch to Windows 7 64 bit from 32 Bit

DeaconFrost said:

Wow, so much misinformation and fear about Windows 7 x64. The OP's system specs tell you right away that x64 should be the platform of choice. If you have an old program that doesn't run...virtualize. If you don't buy a version of Win 7 that has XP mode, run VirtualBox. There is very little reason, if any, to avoid or fear x64 now.

eddyad37 said:

Nero 7

Nero 7 works perfectly fine in Windows 7 x64. I'm using it on four separate systems right now without issue. It is also free of the bloat found in Nero 8 and Nero 9. Besides, let's just say you continued to think Nero 7 didn't work. Then you'd simply switch to one of the many free alternatives.

Now try running Nero 7 on the XP Mode. It won't! Likewise dvd burning programs will install but produce errors right away since the software utilize physical hardware controllers as part of the process.

The 32bit 7 easily sees the old XP version of one program run without problems while the latest version would have been needed for the 64bit Vista let alone 7. Now take the older XP version and try that on any VM and see nothing but dll library and other errors immediately appear.

TV tuner cards and other addons are likely to run into problems as well on a VM. A virtual machine isn't always the answer for things. It's only one option available while still seeing it's own limitations.

Back to you, alstein, a clean install will always be a bit faster at the start with any version as a rule. The 64bit will seem a bit different once you take into consideration things like seeing less data swapped out to a paging file as part of the 64bit's loading and keeping more data in the active ram. A more efficient handling while not necessarily any giant performance boost.

Glad to see you got everything set so far. After a good run you'll likely find yourself hesitant to go back with the 32bit since most things do run on the 64bit 7 or at least now see a 64bit alternative version.

@OP here is another article posted by BFK on 32 v 64 64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums Fabe

thefabe said:

@OP here is another article posted by BFK on 32 v 64 64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums Fabe

Here's another to look over if you want more of a total breakdown on things. A Closer Look at 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Windows - Developer Zone - National Instruments

DeaconFrost said:

Night Hawk said:

Now try running Nero 7 on the XP Mode. It won't!

This has been the case with virtualization software for years now. Nero 7 works in Windows 7 just fine, so why would you ever consider running it in a VM?

Prior to getting the latest version of one program here and right after the XP Mode RCs were first seen with the intergrated components now seen I gave an older XP version a look since that wouldn't run on the 64bit 7. Even with the increased access to internal drives and devices the old version installed without problem but just like any other VM wouldn't run.

The installation there primarily was to see if it could be used on the XP Mode compared to other VM wares while not being a preference to start with to see if XP/Vista dual boot still on could be dumped sooner while it does run on the 32bit 7.

The newer version was bought direct from the company for use on the Host OS being the 64bit 7. The new build will primarily see the 64bit 7 there without even having the need for the 32bit or any older version. Problem solved in that sense.