32 vs 64

[Intelly]

I suppose this is the right section, and I'm not sure if this has already been asked, but I'll do it anyway. Can I get a list of the differences between Win 7 32 bit and 64 bit? I know all about the RAM and every thing. I am referring to things like compatibility issues.

Thanks in advance.

 

[manhunter2826]

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

 

[sygnus21]

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

In addition to that - 64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums

 

[Corrine]

Hi, Intelly.

I think you will be pleased to learn that support for software and hardware for 64-bit operating systems has improved drastically over the past few years. You can check this Microsoft site for Windows 7 Compatibility: Software Programs and Hardware Devices: Find Updates, Drivers, and Downloads.

 

[Duke of Alinor]

All zealots and theorists aside, they are pretty much equal at this point for daily use.
I would put a vote in for 64 and go with that.

 

[Intelly]

I have already read all those articles/Q&As you linked me to.

I know you guys would say 64 bit is the same as 32 bit, and even better, but there have been many, many instances of, for example, programs that work or install correctly on a Win7 32 bit, but not on Win7 64 bit. I know that "officially" 64 bit will run the overwhelming majority of 32 bit programs (or whatever) with no issues whatsoever, but I don't think that's the case.

I will be buying a laptop this week, and it comes with either 32 bit or 64 bit. I think that in a 32 bit OS, if you had 4GB RAM, you'll only be able to use 3GB, correct? Well, I'm not sure whether I should get 64 bit (with all its problems) just for 1 extra GB of RAM.

Do you guys have a list of the programs and games that work on 32 bit but not on 64 bit? I've read the page that Corrine linked me to, and call me paranoid, but I don't trust Microsoft. I'm sure "officially" or "in theory" something works, but that may not be the case in real life.

 

[rerice]

One program which will not run on x64 is MouseImp Pro.

mouseimp pro - Google Search


It has been around for many years and has a lot of fans, but it has been
abandoned by the original maker. It has been upgraded for vista but not for
Windows 7

It will work with Windows 7 x32 but not x64.

I am runing x32 in order to use it. The competition does not even compare.
Mimp is a really terrific tool worthy of someones attention.

PLEASE. Will someone please take a look, MouseImp is worth saving!!

I would do this myself if I could. Please Help

Thanks,
Richard too

 

[severedsolo]

I have already read all those articles/Q&As you linked me to.

I know you guys would say 64 bit is the same as 32 bit, and even better, but there have been many, many instances of, for example, programs that work or install correctly on a Win7 32 bit, but not on Win7 64 bit. I know that "officially" 64 bit will run the overwhelming majority of 32 bit programs (or whatever) with no issues whatsoever, but I don't think that's the case.

I will be buying a laptop this week, and it comes with either 32 bit or 64 bit. I think that in a 32 bit OS, if you had 4GB RAM, you'll only be able to use 3GB, correct? Well, I'm not sure whether I should get 64 bit (with all its problems) just for 1 extra GB of RAM.

Do you guys have a list of the programs and games that work on 32 bit but not on 64 bit? I've read the page that Corrine linked me to, and call me paranoid, but I don't trust Microsoft. I'm sure "officially" or "in theory" something works, but that may not be the case in real life.

speaking from experience, i have only had 1 application not work for me in 64 bit, and that was a very old game called gazillionaire, which is 16 bit, but XP mode lets me play it, driver wise, only issue was with my belkin adapter, but after a bit of fiddling i got that to work too,

having said that, it sounds like you have already made up your mind, and ultimately, the decision is down to you, but there really is very little reason not to go 64 bit, you shouldnt have any driver issues if it comes preinstalled with X64 as the manufacturor will provide the drivers, and as long as your printer and such arent ancient, i see no reason why they wouldnt have 64 bit drivers

 

[Little Darwin]

I will be buying a laptop this week, and it comes with either 32 bit or 64 bit. I think that in a 32 bit OS, if you had 4GB RAM, you'll only be able to use 3GB, correct? Well, I'm not sure whether I should get 64 bit (with all its problems) just for 1 extra GB of RAM.

I am running 32 bit, with 4GB of ram. It is true that you don't see it all, but 3.5 of 4 ain't bad.

The times when you should definitely get 64 bit:

1) You are a tech geek that has to have the latest and greatest.

2) An application you need truly exploits 64 bit or is not supported at all for 32 bit.

3) You are gullible and BELIEVE the guy down at Best Buy that it is sooooo much better.

There is one absolute way to confirm that 64 bit isn't better at this point, and that is that Microsoft doesn't charge extra for it. If it was demonstrably better, they would charge extra. Heck, back in the NT days they charged more for an OS that was better only because it didn't have the registry keys set to cripple it.

I am a geek, and would be 64 bit, except I have one card I use that doesn't have 64 bit drivers.

I am glad a lot of people are shaking out 64 bit... It will really be ready when I make the move in a year or two.

PS - Even with what I have written, if you don't need a driver that doesn't support 64 bit, don't be shy. If one app doesn't run, there is another one just as good that will.

 

[Intelly]

I have already read all those articles/Q&As you linked me to.

I know you guys would say 64 bit is the same as 32 bit, and even better, but there have been many, many instances of, for example, programs that work or install correctly on a Win7 32 bit, but not on Win7 64 bit. I know that "officially" 64 bit will run the overwhelming majority of 32 bit programs (or whatever) with no issues whatsoever, but I don't think that's the case.

I will be buying a laptop this week, and it comes with either 32 bit or 64 bit. I think that in a 32 bit OS, if you had 4GB RAM, you'll only be able to use 3GB, correct? Well, I'm not sure whether I should get 64 bit (with all its problems) just for 1 extra GB of RAM.

Do you guys have a list of the programs and games that work on 32 bit but not on 64 bit? I've read the page that Corrine linked me to, and call me paranoid, but I don't trust Microsoft. I'm sure "officially" or "in theory" something works, but that may not be the case in real life.

speaking from experience, i have only had 1 application not work for me in 64 bit, and that was a very old game called gazillionaire, which is 16 bit, but XP mode lets me play it, driver wise, only issue was with my belkin adapter, but after a bit of fiddling i got that to work too,

having said that, it sounds like you have already made up your mind, and ultimately, the decision is down to you, but there really is very little reason not to go 64 bit, you shouldnt have any driver issues if it comes preinstalled with X64 as the manufacturor will provide the drivers, and as long as your printer and such arent ancient, i see no reason why they wouldnt have 64 bit drivers

Yeah, I'm sure 64 bit is fine, but there are so many horror stories out there you can't help but be paranoid. If I get 64 bit, and there are problems with it, I won't be able to buy another laptop. So I think I'll go with 32 bit, just to be on the safe side. This is the laptop I'm going to buy. I'm wondering if there's a difference (performance-wise) between the 32 bit version and the 64 bit version, since I'll be using the laptop to play quite a number of demanding medium/high-end games.

 

[severedsolo]

well your in luck there... that laptop comes with both! according to the page you linked, so you can try them out for yourself

 

[HammerHead]

It's Your Choice

I don't think you will see a vast difference at this point in time. I like the statement above Quote

"PS - If one app doesn't run, there is another one just as good that will."

As time goes by 64bit will become the common operating system and 32bit will be the system of yesterday. This is what drove me to change. True, when I changed some of my hardware was a problem (Changed with XP) and some of my software became useless. But as time went by and I updated my hardware and software all my tools and computer functions on X64. It was not very much fun at first but now they could discontinue X32 and I would never skip a beat. So You may want to consider tomorrow, not just today.

 

[sygnus21]

Even though I run a 64-bit operating system, other than the 4gigs of RAM I run, I can't say I need a 64-bit system. My opinion is unless you really need more than 4gig of RAM and/or have specific needs that require a 64-bit OS, I say stick to a 32-bit system. In fact I often tell people to take a hard look at what they need before going 64-bit, especially if they’re still running/using older hardware/software. Now it’s easy for us to tell them to upgrade such equipment, but that can be an expensive proposition for some.

I know a great many people here will say 64-bit, and to a certain point I agree, but remember this is also an enthusiast forum as well as a tech forum. For the mass general public, they don't necessarily require a 64-bit OS.

Now it would be irresponsible for me not to mention that with emerging technologies coming forth 64-bit is on the up rise and is the future of computing, however it is still not at a point where it has complete support at this stage of the game. Adobe Flash Player???

Maybe Windows 8 will change that and hardware/software manufacturers will get off their duff and finally fully support the 64-bit platform.

At any rate I would look at my requirements, hardware and software, than make my decision based on that. There’s a lot of pro and con to this that only you can make based on your needs.

And yes, 64-bit: More than just the RAM, but my guess is that 80-90 percent of users just use 64-bit for its ability to efficiently use more RAM.

My two cents.

 

[Tepid]

From what I have seen lately (well Dell's anyway)
The largest majority of PC's are coming standard with 64Bit OS's.
And you have to request 32Bit if that is what you really want.

I am glad about this, as 64Bit needs to be forced on the market and on 3rd party Dev's to start supporting it more.

Things are coming around for 64bit,, but not as fast as I would like to see it.

 

[Zomby88]

Ya, what`s up with Adobe. What`s taking them so long.

 

[Intelly]

well your in luck there... that laptop comes with both! according to the page you linked, so you can try them out for yourself

Does that mean the laptop comes with both 64 bit and 32 bit? I always thought they'd give me a choice between 32 bit and 64 bit, not both versions.

 

[si8mon]

Well if you plan on your computer lasting a long time (for another thirty years). You may want to change to 64 bit because 32 bit systems will have some problems when it becomes 2038.

Year 2038 problem - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[electrotune1200]

well your in luck there... that laptop comes with both! according to the page you linked, so you can try them out for yourself

Does that mean the laptop comes with both 64 bit and 32 bit? I always thought they'd give me a choice between 32 bit and 64 bit, not both versions.

Your PC will have the option to install 32 or 64 bit Windows from within the recovery partition.

 

[severedsolo]

well your in luck there... that laptop comes with both! according to the page you linked, so you can try them out for yourself

Does that mean the laptop comes with both 64 bit and 32 bit? I always thought they'd give me a choice between 32 bit and 64 bit, not both versions.

Operating system Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64-bit (pre-installed, Toshiba-HDD recovery) and
Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 32-bit (Toshiba-Recovery DVD)

i read that as it comes with 64 bit on it, but you can go back to 32 bit by sticking the disk in

 

[pparks1]

Ya, what`s up with Adobe. What`s taking them so long.

That's a very good question and the primary reason why 64-bit isn't the defacto standard. It's certainly starting to get there with Windows 7 and this push to have 4GB of RAM or more.

But unfortunately there are still enough pieces of hardware out there which need 32-bit driver support and some older 16-bit apps that companies maintain and people use that is not making 64-bit a slam dunk. Personally, I've got a scanner without a 64-bit driver, our corporate VPN solution doesn't support 64-bit unless we spend lots of money and upgrade it, my parents blood glucose meters that they use won't work under 64-bit, etc. So, while somethings have a quick and easy workaround for some, others things do not.