Why Win7 64 bit instead of 32 bit

Lebon14 said:

32-bits. I don't know why I would install 64-bit on 2GB of RAM. There's no need to >_>

theres no need to have a 64 bit processor either but you have one it wont be long before your 2gb of ram just isnt enough but.............

more ram isnt the only reason to upgrade to 64 bit (unless your a gamer or cad designer) a 64 bit system is faster in the majority of cases , 64 bit is becoming the norm , program vendors are writing 64 bit versions of all their software and drivers now , software thats optimised to take advantage of a 64 bit cpu and extra ram , that software will run much faster that its 32 bit counterpart

you will get issues with 32 bit video and sound codecs and with 32 bit antivirus apps (they just wont work) but there is 64 bit versions available now and have been for years , i have used 64 bit XP/Vista/7 and never had any major issues that couldnt be sorted in 10 minutes

Microsoft has added extra technologies to 64-bit editions of Windows to improve security and stability. These include Kernel Patch Protection, which prevents third-party software from modifying key Windows files, and hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention, which - if supported by the CPU - closes off potential vulnerabilities by making it impossible to execute code from an area of memory that's marked as data.

64 bit is just better , its not just the ram....................

Freakazoid said:

I chose it for the sole purpose of having more than 3GB of RAM.

So did I.

Having said that, I have had very few issues, if not none, to date on x64. Ran Vista x64 previously and the major difference that I observed was specifically on Photoshop CS3 load times.
As for now, the plus is that I'm not watching my memory usage like I used to with x86.
Lastly, primarily for games.

Regards

IggyAZ said:

After listening to everyone I decided to try Win7 64bit.
I made a full image backup of my HD and proceeded to install Win7 upgrade Premium 64bit over 32bit. The install went flawlessly as usual with Win7 and it installed all appropriate drivers, etc without a hitch.
After I was sure that Win7 installed all my hardware drivers properly I checked to see how my performance numbers were. They were down from the 32bit version of Win7. This may because my system isn't the fastest on planet earth.
The overall number went down from a 5.5 to 4.9 but that is just a number and almost means nothing other than a reference.

I started in install some of my software and everything installed normally other than most of my 3rd party software is written in 32 bit format. No problem, Win7 64bit installed and ran them with no problem.

After a day of testing I decided to go back to my 32 bit version. Not that I didn't like the 64 bit version but I felt that 32 bit was what my hardware liked and I must say I feel ran faster in 32 bit. Before you jump on my case I said on my system. I'm sure my next system I build will be for a 64bit OS but at the moment I'm happy where I am.

So thanks to all for your insight and information and this camper will just have to wait for Santa to bring a new system.


Have a great day everyone.

I think that's what really matters anyway Iggy, You tried it and went with what you like.

I choose 7 64 cause all my amps go to 11 !