Should a 4gb (max ram) laptop run on a 32 bit or 64 bit OS

[lfk]

I recently purchased a laptop that has a MAX of 4gb of ram that came programmed with Windows 7 professional 64 bit. I understand that a 64 bit OS needs a minimum of 4gb and because I cannot increase the amount of ram, would running a 64 bit OS slow down my computer if I ran many programs (5+) at once ? Would running it on a 32 bit version be better in the long run ( I will probably use this laptop for 3-5 years).

My question is should I have it changed to a 32 bit version of Windows 7? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons of running the computer on a 32 bit and 64 bit? Would it make a difference in speed etc.? Which OS would be the most beneficial for running many programs? Why?

Thanks

 

[smarteyeball]

Long run? x64 all the way.

x64 is becoming the new standard. You wont lose performance installing x64 with the added advantage of the extra RAM being utilized.

 

[JaidynM]

In the long run, x64 is what your system would benefit from. It will allow your system to utilise all of your RAM. You would also notice a considerable increase in speed and performance if you do things like video editing. For the pros and cons, take a look at the points in the thread below.

http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/86886-32-bit-vs-64-bit-comparison.html

 

[vaidas3]

I recently purchased a laptop that has a MAX of 4gb of ram that came programmed with Windows 7 professional 64 bit. I understand that a 64 bit OS needs a minimum of 4gb and because I cannot increase the amount of ram, would running a 64 bit OS slow down my computer if I ran many programs (5+) at once ? Would running it on a 32 bit version be better in the long run ( I will probably use this laptop for 3-5 years).

My question is should I have it changed to a 32 bit version of Windows 7? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons of running the computer on a 32 bit and 64 bit? Would it make a difference in speed etc.? Which OS would be the most beneficial for running many programs? Why?

Thanks

It's difficult to say with only 4GB RAM. minimum for windows 7 64bit is 2GB that is 1GB more than 32bit, because 64bit OS uses more RAM than 32bit.
With 32bit you will get around 3.5GB (other ~0.5GB is reserved for other memory like vram etc) out of 4GB. 64Bit will be able to use all of 4GB RAM. because 64bit OS uses more ram difference is almost nothing.
If you have 64bit OS now running fine and all your drivers and sowftware works fine there is no need to change to 32bit and in future 64bit support will get even better as more and more 64bit programs comes out..

 

[kado897]

To answer you questions

1. The 32 bit win 7 will not be able to use all 4GB. It will only use about 3GB
2. The 64 bit version will run pretty well on 2GB unless you do a lot of heavy processing.
3. To future proof your OS go for 64 bit unless you have any software with won't run on 64 bit. Nearly all 32bit apps will run quite happily.

 

[Zomby88]

Who told you it needs 4 gigs ? It will run with 1, 2. or 3 !! Your motherboard only supports so much memory wether it`s 32 or 64 bit. If your laptop came with 64 bit leave it alone. Find the maximum amount of memory your board supports and install it. 4 gigs is plenty enuf for a laptop.

 

[Chilidawg]

My new laptop shipped with the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and 4 gigs of RAM. I opted to add another module for a total of 8 gigs.

Truthfully, I'm not a real power user. No heavy video editing. It ran well with 4 gigs, and I didn't notice any improvement after the upgrade.

 

[JaidynM]

My new laptop shipped with the 64 bit version of Windows 7 and 4 gigs of RAM. I opted to add another module for a total of 8 gigs.

Truthfully, I'm not a real power user. No heavy video editing. It ran well with 4 gigs, and I didn't notice any improvement after the upgrade.

Unfortunately, you wouldn't. Gaming computers tend to have around 12GB of RAM but the most RAM games will ever use is 1GB and even then, there's probably something faulty within the game.

To tell you the truth, I've never actually seen any program or system for that matter that needs 12GB RAM. Sure, if you're planning on playing Crysis 2, The Witcher 2, Dirt 3, have a hundred tabs on Firefox open which are all playing flash games and watching YouTube videos, video editing, watching movies, talking on Skype and using Photoshop you might want to think about getting a RAM upgrade. But no one in their right mind will do anything is crazy as that.

 

[seth500]

4gb even video editing is enough I have never used over 4gb of memory for editing and never have had any problems.

 

[pparks1]

The only need that I have had for more than 4GB of RAM on a desktop computer is to run Virtual Machines.

For a couple of desktop class machines at work that function as workstations, we run 8GB of RAM to run multiple SQL Databases.

 

[YTBOY83]

I have 6 gig in total and never use all of it. For your answer, i agree with the other answers that 64Bit is the way to go.

 

[bru]

A bit OT but still related, with RAM being so cheap right now
http://www.sevenforums.com/hardware-devices/181904-has-anyone-noticed-ram-prices-lately.html
I'm tempted to buy. But then I read posts like these that more RAM really won't improve things.

But then I see threads like this where people get some phenomenal numbers because they have lots of memory.
http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/5400-whats-your-memory-assessment-speed-134.html

I have 64bit with 4GB. What to do .

 

[pparks1]

Of course, your memory assessment speed doesn't actually equate to what real life performance is going to be like. On the one hand, yes RAM is real cheap. On the other hand, if nothing changes, was it money well spent? Seriously, I would just save the money on the RAM and put it towards something else that "will" make a difference...like a video card, or SSD, or a new case.

 

[Warlockz]

You probably dont need more than 4GB unless your an extreme multitasker, Use multiple Virtual Machines at the same time, Or render Graffix which require a large amount of memory.....I have 8GB installed and I have never gone beyond 6GB I think. But I am an extreme Multitasker.

 

[kado897]

I have 4GB. I don't do gaming but I do video editing and run virtual machines with no problem at all.