Solved Should I get 64 bit or not?

[gallicbear]

I am tossed about which OS version to get on a new PC I am putting together: 32 bit or 64 bit. Memory is not more than 4 GB, processor is a triple core, board is designed to run 64 bit. But I won't run games or other other memory hungry programs. Is there a real benefit to use 64 bit if basically only the windows components would be running at 64 bit?

 

[yowanvista]

I am tossed about which OS version to get on a new PC I am putting together: 32 bit or 64 bit. Memory is not more than 4 GB, processor is a triple core, board is designed to run 64 bit. But I won't run games or other other memory hungry programs. Is there a real benefit to use 64 bit if basically only the windows components would be running at 64 bit?

Use x64 if you have more than 3GB since 32bit systems can only use up to 3.25GB. That would be an increase of 0.75GB in RAM if you use 64-bit

 

[DeaconFrost]

Unless you have a very specific program that doesn't run under x64, that's the way I'd go. Aside from other benefits, at least you'd get to use all of the memory you have. Despite what others may say who still think Windows 7 is like Windows XP, that extra memory can be usable to cache and prefetch, making your system more responsive....even if you aren't necessarily killing the system with intensity.

Basically, my thought would be x64 should be the default install, unless you can come up with a good reason not to. At one point, there was a rumor that Windows 7 would be x64 only, so why not use the current platform, than cling to the past. If you had 2 GB of memory, or had a unique app that wouldn't run but was absolutely necessary to you...then I'd say to go with x86.

 

[OldMX]

Why dont you install windows x64 without entering any serial # and try it for 30 days, if you like then activate, if not, reinstall it in 32bit.

 

[gallicbear]

Thank you, yowanvista, OldMX and DeaconFrost, for your ideas; you guys helped me make my decision. I'll go for x64.

 

[pparks1]

OldMX, that is good advice.

Unless you have software that isn't compatible or hardware without 64bit drivers, you should be just fine. Don't expect going from 32bit to 64bit to provide a lot of performance benefits, you likely just won't see any.

 

[Ciara]

Hi gallicbear , Go 64-bit and use all of your RAM you wont be sorry

 

[sandman]

Plus if you have a program that is only 32 bit version you can still install in the 32 bit programs folder. Also watch when installing 64 bit programs were the 32 bit is also incorporated in the software, that you get the 64 bit version installed and not the 32 bit i have an anti-virus program that if i do not just point it to the 64 bit version it will install the 32 bit version every time. I switched all mine over to 64 bit and will never go back had to make some changes to some software versions but it was not a big deal. Old dv9720us Laptop seems to be a lot snappier with 7500 rpm hard drive and 64 bit.

 

[Layback Bear]

I would install the 64. You will be able to use all the ram. You might find a old program that won't work correctly, (I had one, just upgraded to a newer program). I look at it this way. Windows 32 is in the past and Windows 64 is now and the future.

 

[gallicbear]

Thank you all, pparks1, ciara, sandman and layback bear for your input.
I have taken your advice and ordered 64 bit.

 

[pparks1]

Windows 32 is in the past and Windows 64 is now and the future.

While I can appreciate the sentiments, it's not always this easy. For example, at my company, our checkpoint VPN devices don't have a 64bit client. So, if you are running a 64-bit OS, you cannot VPN in from it. The solution is for us to upgrade our checkpoint VPN system at work, but budget does not allow for this at present.

But something like the above, shouldn't be all that prevalent among home users.

 

[gallicbear]

Hi pparks1. Thanks for bringing that up. I used to use a VPN to connect with work. But we dropped that out of practicality. The few employees who need the connection have been using 'logmein' and it works like a charm with Windows 7 (32 at least).