Is a 64-bit Windows 7 quicker than 32-bit in itself, as an OS?

[tufffta]

1) Would Windows 7 64-bit work faster, slower or exactly the same compared to 32-bit version on a computer with AMD Quad-Core A6-3420 64-bit CPU and 4 GB RAM (1333 MHz DDR3). I am mostly interested in its performance as an operating system, like opening My Computer, opening folders, staring the Windows, and using just "light" software like internet browsers, audio players? I mean, not playing any games, not using any Photoshops.

I ask this because with only 4 GBs of RAM there is theoretically no need for a 64-bit OS (if not using any 64-bit software), and, in addition, a 64-bit OS uses a little more computer resourses, so less resourses left for other software -- but does that mean that those used up resource are in this case "wasted" (used only to make Windows work), or is it that the resourses 64-bit OS uses are used more efficiently, so that the OS functions more quickly?

In other words, I'll use this analogy: 64-bit Windows 7 is a more powerful engine, which uses up more fuel than 32-bit - but do I get any benefit of that when not having more than 4 GB RAM and not using any specific "heavy" 64-bit software --- like does it load an internet browser faster, does it open My Computer faster?
Why I ask this is because I noticed that as good as WinXP might be, it just never was as quick as Win98 in just using the computer back in the days. I have always been disappointed by WinXP not holding up to my expectations in performance - but that's understandable, because WinXP is much more complicated OS than Win98. And I noticed WinXP is quicker before you install all the drivers. So regarding Windows 7, I wish to know which version with given hardware limitations would be quicker.


2) Also, a little "off-topic" question: is there a difference in efficiency between Win7 Home Premium and Ultimate? I mean, which one would be quicker? In regards to Windows XP, I noticed XP Professional was faster than Home, but of course that could have just been my wrong impression or I could have missed some important factors (like software installed).

 

[alphanumeric]

Windows 7 32 bit, has a maximum address space of 4 gigs. What do you have for a Video card? You didn't fill in your system specs. If you have a dedicated Video card with its own onboard RAM, that RAM will still need to be addressed in that 4 gig space. Whats left after that will be used to map your 4 gigs of RAM. The video RAM will effectively subtract from your available RAM. If you run 64 bit there is no 4 gig limit and you'll get full use of your 4 gigs of RAM.

 

[snuffdaddy]

What most people want to know is does 64bit give you a more responsive experience compared to 32bit for everyday use.

From my experience for basic/common usage (Browsing, Email, Office doc's, audio & movies non-editing)
Its not noticable, unless your the kind of person that sits with a stopwatch.

But i totally agree with others, software that requires that extra RAM above the 2GB limit of 32bit then you will see its true benefits.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

So regarding Windows 7, I wish to know which version with given hardware limitations would be quicker.


Also, a little "off-topic" question: is there a difference in efficiency between Win7 Home Premium and Ultimate? I mean, which one would be quicker?

I have 4 GB of RAM.

I moved from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 7. I never noticed any difference in speed, responsiveness or general performance.

Home Premium differs from Ultimate in features. Not speed, not efficiency.

But millions of people buy Ultimate for reasons unrelated to features, speed, or efficiency. Let's just say those reasons are "personal" and leave it at that.

 

[Layback Bear]

To put it another non tech way. System and programs went from 8,16,32,64 bi and in the future 128 bit is not being R&D and produced just for the hell of it. It is being done so we can do more things with computer at the same time and quicker. Along with that one must keep their/there equipment and programs up to date to take advantage of the new things. 64 bit operating system will use more resources than a 32 bit operating system. Because of that you give it more resources to use. You can go on line and read for days how it works if you care to have a more techie answer.
If your in the process of choosing a operating system choose 64 bit; you will thank yourself later.

 

[tufffta]

Why does 64 bit Windows 7 require more RAM than 32 bit?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Why does 64 bit Windows 7 require more RAM than 32 bit?

I'm not sure it does.

It can recognize and use more RAM, but I don't know that it requires more. If so, I never noticed it.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

Why does 64 bit Windows 7 require more RAM than 32 bit?

64 bit needs from 50 to 200 MB more RAM than 32 bit depending on hardware. None ever cried over that little loss though. It theoretically uses RAM in a less efficient way than 32 bit, so a program that in 32 bit needs X ram in 64 could need more (not a lot, but noticeably). The fact it can use up to ridiculous amounts of RAM makes this a technical detail in most builds, though.

And no, for your needs having a 32 or a 64 Win7 makes no difference at all.

But millions of people buy Ultimate for reasons unrelated to features, speed, or efficiency.

Must be the easily-changed system language. It is a so must-have feature, lol.

 

[Layback Bear]

The answer to your question is not that simple and short to post in a technical fashion. One must do their/there homework. Some places you might want to start.

A Closer Look at 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Windows - Developer Zone - National Instruments

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-

Windows-frequently-asked-questions
Should You Install Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit? - TechSpot Guides

64-bit computing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Maximum PC | The Pros and Cons of 64-bit Windows 7

32-bit and 64-bit explained

 

[gregrocker]

I lean toward 32-bit with 4gb RAM because it seems faster and almost always does use all of the RAM since some RAM is apportioned to hardware.

This can be determined by typing Resource Monitor into Start button Search Box, click on Memory tab.

 

[SHUBHAM BANSAL]

I have 3Gb of RAM and nVidia Graphic card of 256 MB and Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7350 @ 2.00Ghz 2.00GHz. I am still using Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

Do I upgrade to 64bit or not? If not plz tell why?

 

[SHUBHAM BANSAL]

I have 3Gb of RAM and nVidia Graphic card of 256 MB and Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7350 @ 2.00Ghz 2.00GHz. I am still using Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

Do I upgrade to 64bit or not? If not plz tell why?

 

[SHUBHAM BANSAL]

I have 3Gb of RAM and nVidia Graphic card of 256 MB and Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7350 @ 2.00Ghz 2.00GHz. I am still using Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

Do I upgrade to 64bit or not? If not plz tell why?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have 3Gb of RAM and nVidia Graphic card of 256 MB and Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7350 @ 2.00Ghz 2.00GHz. I am still using Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit.

Do I upgrade to 64bit or not? If not plz tell why?

I wouldn't. Why would you consider it?

Why do you refer to it as an "upgrade"? It would be a change, not necessarily an upgrade.

If you found that some of your applications no longer worked, you might consider it a downgrade.

Most applications will work with 64-bit, but there's no obvious advantage in day to day usage.

I changed---only because one of my applications would not even install on a 32-bit system.

If you ever add more RAM and in fact actually use more RAM, then consider moving to 64-bit.

Sooner or later, you will be forced to change. Worry about that then.

 

[SHUBHAM BANSAL]

Thanks and Tell me Enterprise Edition has more features than the ultimate edition.
Plz

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Thanks and Tell me Enterprise Edition has more features than the ultimate edition.
Plz

Enterprise does not have more features. It activates differently.


Ultimate is a single user license. Enterprise is for volume licenses.

 

[SHUBHAM BANSAL]

thnkx

 

[GeneO]

I lean toward 32-bit with 4gb RAM because it seems faster and almost always does use all of the RAM since some RAM is apportioned to hardware.

This can be determined by typing Resource Monitor into Start button Search Box, click on Memory tab.

RAM isn't apportioned to hardware with 32 bit windows, virtual address space is. RAM is actually wasted. The RAM addresses that the PCI hardware memory is mapped to can't be used by the system with 32 bit OS, so it is lost. With 64 bit OS, the hardware can be mapped to addresses beyond the physical RAM, so all RAM can be used.

 

[gregrocker]

Interesting GeneO.

What about the Hardware shown below on this older laptop which it says is reserved for Physical Memory?

 

[GeneO]

Interesting GeneO.

What about the Hardware shown below on this older laptop which it says is reserved for Physical Memory?

But it isn't physical memory no matter what windows says, it is the virtual address space that is being used by the device. If you had 64 bit windows and memory/hole remapping in the BIOS, you would get that memory back.

It basically works like this. Windows uses virtual addresses that are mapped to physical devices like RAM or the PCI bus. The PCI i/o region has been mapped to the top of this 4GB virtual addresses space and when those virtual addresses are accessed, the memory management hardware translates them to PCI addresses. So you writing to those upper addresses writes over PCI. Drivers expect this. Since 32 bit windows has only 4GB of virtual address space available, this PCI address range cannot be mapped to physical memory. So in a sense it is hardware reserved.

With 64 bit OS this 4GB limitation for virtual addresses is not there. The PCI addresses are still mapped to the top 4GB of the virtual addresses range, so there is a hole in the physical RAM mapping. However, physical RAM does not have to be mapped contiguously to virtual addresses, so the remapping hardware maps that hole in the RAM to virtual addresses beyond the 4GB., so all of your RAM is available.

Now in your case, I believe that physical memory is really being used by a device since you only have 2GB installed. So all physical RAM plus device mapped memory fit in 4GB range. However if you have 4GB or more of RAM, in general you will not be able to access all of your RAM due to the PCI hole.