I forgot to mention that if you (or anyone) is planning on installing Windows7 64bit on a system w/ only 2gb of memory that it is okay to do so BUT in order to get the full benefits make sure that the 2gb is only temporary! Make it a point to upgrade to 4-6gb of memory (6gb max). The difference is like comparing a 6 cylinder to a supercharged V8. Enjoy!!
The only program that I've really seen a massive speed increase of the 64-bit over the 32-bit version so far is WinRar - the old version was very slow to open, the x64 version opens instantly. Other apps are snappier, but not as dramatically so. But 64-bit is definitely the way the wind is blowing, and there's never been a better time to buy a bucketload of memory. Sounds like a song, doesn't it? I'll have a bucketful of memories please - oh, and Cry Me A River, would you - and be quick about it!
Hmmm...I find it interesting that some people feel that it's an improvement while others (myself), haven't been able to prove any benefit between the two. I recently changed my work laptop over to Windows 7 and my laptop has 4GB of RAM. I know for a fact that our VPN doesn't work on 64-bit...so I would have had to use a 32-bit VM to VPN into the network. My testing showed no discernable performance change between 32bit and 64bit on this machine...so I just went with 32bit to make the VPN work without the hassle of having a VM just to support it. I lose the ability to address about 500MB of RAM...but 3.5GB is fine for my laptop needs.
It's nice 2 go with 64 bit right now for the sake of "Future-Proofing Our PC's." There aren't 2 many programs right now that display a significant difference with their 64bit software but just by us knowing what is on the horizon ahead is worth it alone. Although, I have noticed a very nice difference with 2 64 bit softwares: winrar 64bit & itunes 64bit. These 2 FLY on My PC & if this represents the future of 64 bit software than COUNT ME IN!!! :)
I really hate the term "future proofing". In the computer world, it simply doesn't make any sense. For example, let's say that it takes 4 years before 64-bit to really become a necessity or a mainstay. I'm pretty sure that most of us won't be using the same PC that we are today, and if Microsoft is still on track we won't still be using Windows 7 either, but it's successor.
I remember years ago when people were upgrading and "future proofing" their Pentium 4's to have hyperthreading or going with the p4 extreme edition. 5 years down the road, regardless of which you chose, you are getting your doors blown off by the Core 2 Duo. So, spending all that extra to ensure that you were "future proofed", has still left you with a dinosaur of a computer that you likely don't want to still be using.
I recently installed windows 7 professional x64 on a system with only 1GB of ram just to see if it would work. It's a little slow, but still faster than it was with vista, so 2gb should be adequate
I'm very sure that it is not going to take 4+ years for individuals to start seeing their own personal reasons as to why they should upgrade to 64 bit. I would suppose that with what you use your PC for there's no reason for you to upgrade... but, as I had mentioned in my previous post: iTunes in 64 bit for windows 7 was more than enough of a reason for me to go the 64 route! Is there a major difference between iTunes 64 vs. iTunes 32? HECK YEAH!! (But we'll discuss that in another forum).
With the demand for 64 bit software I am sure that just over the course of 2010 we will see more & more of them available.
In conclusion, "Future-Proofing" in Today's Terms I feel would be translated as "Having your PC up to speed with what's to come over the next 1-2 years.
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