Should i updrage to Windows 7 x64?

[johndoe125]

hi,
i've been thinking lately on upgrading to w7 x64 but i want to know if my computer specs are good enough for it.
i currently have an hp g60 120us laptop, specs:
Microprocessor2.00 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-70 Dual-Core Mobile ProcessorMicroprocessor Cache1 MB L2 CacheMemory3072 MBMemory Max3072 MBVideo GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 8200MVideo MemoryUp to 1470 MBHard Drive250 GB (5400 rpm)one detail, i copied from hp site...recently i upgraded to 4gb ram.
any opinion would be appreciated, if you think i should upgrade to w7 x64 then please tell me how to keep my drivers.

PS. im using windows vista home premium 32-bit

 

[bigmck]

hi,
i've been thinking lately on upgrading to w7 x64 but i want to know if my computer specs are good enough for it.
i currently have an hp g60 120us laptop, specs:
Microprocessor2.00 GHz AMD Turion X2 RM-70 Dual-Core Mobile ProcessorMicroprocessor Cache1 MB L2 CacheMemory3072 MBMemory Max3072 MBVideo GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 8200MVideo MemoryUp to 1470 MBHard Drive250 GB (5400 rpm)one detail, i copied from hp site...recently i upgraded to 4gb ram.
any opinion would be appreciated, if you think i should upgrade to w7 x64 then please tell me how to keep my drivers.

PS. im using windows vista home premium 32-bit

Hi -- Check out this link for FAQ 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions and D/L the Windows Upgrade Advisor Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor

 

[bobkn]

HP supports Win7 X64 on the machine:

Software & Driver Downloads HP G60-120US Notebook PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

There are alternatives for some devices, so you have to make sure to get the drivers for the hardware that you have.

(Make sure to have the network controller on hand, as a minimum, so that you can communicate with the outside world if Win7 doesn't include NIC drivers for your controller.)

 

[housry23]

In order to utilize your 4GB of RAM correctly you should install 64-bit. You will have to do a clean install because you cannot upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit, but the good news is your key for your 32-bit install will work for your 64-bit install. I suggest making a backup of all your important documents and download all the drivers you will need from HP and burn them to a disc or put them on a USB drive. Install Windows 7 x64, install your drivers and then add your important data and documents. If you have apps that you have paid for, make sure you write down or save the key code for them somewhere, so when you do install x64 Windows 7 you can install your apps with no problems. I highly recommend upgrading as it will not only take full advantage of your RAM, but also takes advantage of the processors architecture. Your computer will be faster and more responsive as well as safer, more stable and more secure. Good luck.

 

[kodi]

The main advantage of 64 bit over 32bit is the ability to use more than 3.5gig of Ram. you only have 3gig of ram installed so you won't see a great advantage over 32 bit unless you have programs that need 64 bit to run.

 

[housry23]

The main advantage of 64 bit over 32bit is the ability to use more than 3.5gig of Ram. you only have 3gig of ram installed so you won't see a great advantage over 32 bit unless you have programs that need 64 bit to run.

Actually he mentions in OP that he has upgraded to 4GB of RAM. Using mire than 4GB of RAM is only one of the advantages of 64-bit Windows. There are many reasons 64-bit is faster, more reliable and safer than 32-bit. http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

 

[bobkn]

I'm not sure that I'd push X64 on someone with 4GB of RAM. Compulsive people (like me) might like that all 4GB would be available in Windows, but I doubt that it's a significant advantage to people running 32 bit software.

X64 completely precludes using 16 bit software (leaving off using XP mode on Pro or Ultimate), and older peripherals may not have 64 bit drivers (required).

 

[housry23]

If you have all 32 bit software then no it won't be an advantage, but I always try to find a 64-bit alternative to everything I install. In the future 32 bit will be a thing of the past and we will need Windows 7 mode to run 32 bit apps. I feel like being prepared for the future is the best way to go. We are all entitled to our own opinions and if this person asked, I have the freedom to give mine. 64-bit has way more advantages than just using all your ram. I am not pushing anything, just giving my opinion on the posters question.

 

[Faladu]

My minor warnings:

Some old casual games, won't work in Windows 7 64-bit Home, especially ones from E-Games, every one of mine from them doesn't work.

If you run pinball emulator: Visual Pinball v9, it currently has a lot of issues with Windows 7, v8.x runs perfect, go figure.

Old 16-bit games that are windows based, dead, DOS stuff: DOSBOX (free) still works fine.

Fortunately I bought the Family 3 pack of 7 Home, so I can go back to 32-bit if needed, an old emergency PC is running 32-bit Windows, 2 gigs of RAM minimum to have Windows 7 be tolerable, I know, it had 1 in it.
(He has 4, great that's the main issue for a Windows 7 install for some)

Video card wise shouldn't be much of a problem, that old PC I mention is using an AGP 5900XT, albeit the high end at that tier.

Basically, very old PC, go 32-bit if you have 2 gigs of RAM, otherwise XP it and forget it, get 7 on your next PC. I skipped Vista entirely, I hope I never have to deeply troubleshoot it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you plan to upgrade to Windows 7, there's little to no reason to avoid x64 on your system, unless you find a rare incompatibility that you can't do without.

 

[chrysalis]

The main advantage of 64 bit over 32bit is the ability to use more than 3.5gig of Ram. you only have 3gig of ram installed so you won't see a great advantage over 32 bit unless you have programs that need 64 bit to run.

Actually he mentions in OP that he has upgraded to 4GB of RAM. Using mire than 4GB of RAM is only one of the advantages of 64-bit Windows. There are many reasons 64-bit is faster, more reliable and safer than 32-bit. http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

indeed and even on that list there is various things missing.

eg. 64bit has a higher default desktop heap limit, higher cache limit, higher paging limit, better driver security and of course is more future proof since new ram will work fine.

I am also of the opinion windows 7 was primarily developed in 64bit and the 32bit was something of an afterthought done to keep people happy.

 

[kodi]

The main advantage of 64 bit over 32bit is the ability to use more than 3.5gig of Ram. you only have 3gig of ram installed so you won't see a great advantage over 32 bit unless you have programs that need 64 bit to run.

Actually he mentions in OP that he has upgraded to 4GB of RAM. Using mire than 4GB of RAM is only one of the advantages of 64-bit Windows. There are many reasons 64-bit is faster, more reliable and safer than 32-bit. http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

indeed and even on that list there is various things missing.

eg. 64bit has a higher default desktop heap limit, higher cache limit, higher paging limit, better driver security and of course is more future proof since new ram will work fine.

I am also of the opinion windows 7 was primarily developed in 64bit and the 32bit was something of an afterthought done to keep people happy.

Please at least take the time to read my post before you criticize it, I did not intend to list ALL the differences but instead the main reason most people choose 64bit over 32bit

 

[chrysalis]

I didnt criticise it, its a good list.