Win7 32 to 64 bit clean install?

[kr2]

Hi,

if I am already running Win7 32 bit on a 2Core, can I suubsequently do a clean install of Win7 64 bit please?

what are the main advantages of 64 over 32 bit?

thanks,

Ric

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Here is some information on 32 v 64

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions

If you have 32 bit you can do a clean install of 64, if computer meets requirements.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/system-requirements

take the upgrade test to be sure that your computer is qualified.
https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx

 

[kr2]

Welcome
Here is some information on 32 v 64

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: Frequently asked questions

If you have 32 bit you can do a clean install of 64, if computer meets requirements.
Windows 7 system requirements - Microsoft Windows

take the upgrade test to be sure that your computer is qualified.
https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advisor.aspx

Good idea/s - so the 64bit is probably faster - many thanks!

Ric

 

[richc46]

You are very welcome. The major difference is that 64 can use a lot more RAM. 32 is limited to about 3GB.

 

[Night Hawk]

The 64bit Windows isn't so much faster but a bit more stable over the limitations seen with the 32bit kernel. The actual amount of memory available on a 32bit Windows depends on the version as well as edition. For XP that was about 3.12gb out of a 4gb total with Vista and 7 averaging in about 3.57gb or so with the rest of the memory addresses being mapped out to hardwares.

For the 64bit Windows on the other hand the advantages of seeing more data loaded into the active ram tends to see your programs start a little faster due to the far less swapping out of data to the hard drive via paging file making the data processing more efficient.

As for support there appears to be adequate driver support on the dell support page for the 64bit 7. Drivers & Downloads=

 

[kr2]

Thanks. I would probably start out on 32bit Win 7 then clean install to 64 in a couple of months time. If installing 64 bit is going to make more memory available to the system, obviously this is a good thing.

 

[richc46]

64 has better security and its the wave of the future. There are rumours that the next OS or maybe the OS after that MS will have only 64 bit.

 

[kr2]

64 has better security and its the wave of the future. There are rumours that the next OS or maybe the OS after that MS will have only 64 bit.

yup, it's obviously the way to go

thanks

 

[richc46]

There is no right or wrong, but a year ago, I went with 64. I think if your machine could handle it, go for it. You dont want to be outdated a few years down the road.

 

[kr2]

There is no right or wrong, but a year ago, I went with 64. I think if your machine could handle it, go for it. You dont want to be outdated a few years down the road.

gosh right

have Dell Inspiron 531 desktop/mini tower 64amd 2Core right now on 32 - hopefully I can clean install to 64 when and if

but may also go in for a 2core barebones, new but also 32 bit, but as a newer MOBO that should present '0' problems going up to 64

thanks

 

[Night Hawk]

Your present hardwares see 64bit updates from Dell. That wouldn't be a problem that way.

If and When note once that time comes about you can see how the 64bit would be by using the option to extend the trial period before seeing Windows activated. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/875-activation-trial-period-extend-up-120-days.html

With most 32bit programs they will still run on the 64bit 7 while those seeing both 32bit and 64bit flavors usually requires that you go with the 64bit version.

Here when trying to connect online with 64bit 7 beta the ISP plus ISP provided modem had to be replaced. By that time the RCs were just out making it possible to run the 64bit as the default OS! That would be another possible consideration for a temp install of the 64bit to see if you were to run into any similar problems depending on you connect.

(often the ISP provided plug into usb ports without 64bit driver support from the equipment manufacturer)

 

[kr2]

thanks - guess i will cross that bridge when i come to it - cannot see that there would be a problem but i'm not a heavy gamer or something, the extra memory freed up/available to Win7 64bit would not be critical just very handy ... all systems crave more memory at some stage.

 

[Night Hawk]

More so for larger applications like CAD programming, working with video projects, graphics design, etc. over pc games which tend to be geared for OEM systems that typically 2-4gb unless specified otherwise.

For running multiple virtual machines 4gb wasn't enough in that area running into the "out of resources" type errors and why I planned a good 8gb for the present build.

With a ton of startup items having the extra available in the 64bit does tend to see Windows run a bit smoother however while not realizing any major performance gains. It comes down to what suits your own personal needs the best.

 

[kr2]

I do do a spot of video editing now and then, the extra memory would be worth the clean install - it's a definite target to set myself

 

[Night Hawk]

I think you will find most now are taking a serious look at the 64bit side even if they decide to stay with the 32bit or have to. The software market is what needs to play catch up however while newer versions of various programs have been realizing both 32bti and 64bit editions.

Video capturing is helped with the extra! But even that will still tend to pull more on cpu time then take up ram. As far as 7 being the last to see 32bit editions that was the page filler the early blogs on 7 were reporting with the new blogs for the next "speculating" on a 128bit OS?! We'll just have to see on that one!