Solved Installing windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit

[littleluis]

My pc computer is a dell xps 400. It will allow 3.5 GB memory ram as usable. I am planning to do a clean install of windows 7, and I know my cpu supports 64-bit. The question is: what do you recommend installing windows 7 32-bit or windows 7 64-bit? Which one will provide better performance considering my hardware limitations? I cannot have more than 4 Gb of ram, and 3.5 gb is going to my limit in reality. Thank you.

 

[fireberd]

I thought I answered this (or an exact same) question on the Dell users forum. But, I would suggest 32 bit as Dell supports Vista 32 bit so you should be able to use those drivers for Win 7 32 bit. If you go to 64 bit there are NO Dell device drivers and getting some devices to work may be a problem.

Keep in mind the install sequence (1) Install Windows (2) Install Intel Motherboard Chipset Drivers (3) Install device drivers including video, Dell sound drivers, ethernet, etc. HERE is the Dell Vista 32 bit driver downloads.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Like Fireberd, I'm thinking 32 bit would simplify your life.

 

[gregrocker]

Agree 32 bit has the least problems and doesn't stress with 4gb of RAM.

The Win7 installer is mostly driver-complete, however, so I wouldn't swap out any drivers unless performance dictates the change. Only import drivers missing in Device Manager after optional Windows Update quickly provides those newer than what are in installer.

 

[fireberd]

If the user has the standard Integrated Audio, it requires a Dell driver to work or work correctly. We have found that non-Dell sound drivers, in most cases of these "older" models, does not work. With SigmaTel, Windows will usually install IDT drivers and the newer IDT drivers do not work with the older Dell SigmaTel implementation.

As there are Dell Vista 32 bit drivers it should work OK with Win 7 32 bit. However, with many older Dell's that do not have Vista drivers users are having to install PCI sound cards to get sound in Win 7.

 

[littleluis]

My xps 400 system came with a creative soundblaster PCI card. I do believe that I will find window 7 drivers from creative website. I am just curious... I ran windows 7 advisor in my xps 400 under windows xp operating system, and it said that all my hardware is compatible, and neither any connotation regarding drivers. The only exception is the sound card that it is compatible but I need to get the free drivers provided by the soundcard vendor. I see (fireberd) that I need to get all the 32 bit vista drivers after I install windows 7. I thought that windows 7 install disc will take care of it automatically at the beginning or later once I request for upgrades from win 7. Fireberd, it you are right, then I do not understand the information provided by windows 7 advisor. It is confusing since it never says that I need to get drivers (from vista 32-bit) left and right. I do not get it.
By the way, let's assume for a moment that my hardware and drivers are doing great under windows 7... I would like to know more regarding my initial question (gregrocker said something about it). With 3.5 gb ram usable, what is the best thing to do: installing win 7 32-bit or win 7 64-bit? Thank you.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The 32 bit version has a 4gb ram usage maximum with actual usage somewhat less. 64 bit can support much greater ram quantities. You mentioned the Dell's 4 gig ram limit and this is why we recommend going 32bit install.

 

[wearetheborg]

Is it 3.5 gb usable ram or 3.2 gb?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

varies from 3.4 to 3.2

 

[kodi]

Just to repeat what gregrocker said; Windows 7 will install your drivers you do not have to get Vista drivers.
After you have installed go to your Device manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation marks and if there is post back here and we will find drivers for you.
64 bit is really not an option as you cannot increase the amount of ram to take advantage of 64 bit and you probably have older software that wont work with 64 bit

 

[wearetheborg]

varies from 3.4 to 3.2

This is for windows 7 right? That is, even if the motherboard allows more ram, win 7 32 bit can only use 3.2-3.4gb?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

varies from 3.4 to 3.2

This is for windows 7 right? That is, even if the motherboard allows more ram, win 7 32 bit can only use 3.2-3.4gb?

Hello, if you're asking, the answer is yes.

 

[fireberd]

With SOME Dell's what Win 7 installs doesn't always work. With newer systems this is not a problem but systems in the era of the XPS 400, which has Dell proprietary hardware on it the user may run into problems with some non-Dell device drivers. But, as I previously noted Dell has Vista 32 bit drivers and they usually work without problems on Win 7 32 bit.

I do a lot of support on the Dell users forum so this is not the first Dell upgrade I've seen.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Interesting that the OP shows he's upgrading from XP-64 to W7. Would that change my mind about 32 or 64 W7?
I'm still thinking 32 bit for the ram issue !

 

[littleluis]

linnermeyerhere,

I do apologize if I made you understood wrong. I do currently have windows xp sp3 32-bit in my xps 400, not 64-bit.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

OK I see that's been corrected in the system spec's. Then for sure stay with 32 bit. Cheers !

 

[littleluis]

Hi people,

Thank you very much for all your comments and suggestions. This weekend, I decided to install windows 7 32-bit in a new empty hard drive in my old dell xps 400. Everything went smooth. "windows 7 advisor" was pretty accurate in my case. Everything was compatible, and the only real thing I need was the drivers for my audio soundblaster xtreme card as "windows 7 advisor" warned me. Just in case, I installed the latest release of my intel chipset. That's all. Everything was peachy. Thank you again.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, good to see you got it running and thanks for the update.

 

[gregrocker]

If you have any performance problems, then first thing to try then will be to roll back the Intel chipset drivers you added.

This is why it was suggested you stick with the Win7 installer drivers unless there are performance problems first.

This is not XP or Vista. MS spent a fortune to make Win7 installer driver-complete, with newer arriving quickly via optional Windows Updates.