Sony Vaio Vista Upgrade - 32 bit or 64 bit Windows 7?

[hazel123]

Have just bought a used Sony Vaio VGN-NS10 L/S with VistA 32 bit. It is for my ageing aunt who can't get on with Windows 8 and I'm upgrading it to Windows 7 for her and putting a bigger hard drive and new ram in. It currently has 3gb of ram and I have bought 2 x 2gb modules to put in, so now have 4gb

Intel Pentium Dual Core T3200
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD

Would it be best to put 32 bit or 64 bit Windows 7 on? I know 32 bit won't use all of the 4gb ram, but am not sure if 64 bit would be good with this hardware or not.

Thanks!

 

[maxie]

Hi there ... I would tend to stick with the 32 Bit OS .. It can take up to 4 GB of Ram ... I looked on the Sony Website regarding Divers .. They state they have both 32/64 Bit Drivers available .. How ever they are pretty old most you should be able to Update .. But when it come to using Function Keys you will need their Software .. So sticking with the 32 OS they are certain to work as you can also use Vista Drivers in some cases ...

 

[hazel123]

Thanks. Yes forgot to mention - all the Windows 7 drivers are available for both 32 bit and 64 bit, plus all the utilities are there for Windows 7 32 and 64 bit too.

As well as some 32 bit drivers for Vista. Why do you think I should stick with 32 bit?

 

[Britton30]

32 bit can only address about 3.25GB of RAM. You can check your hardware compatibility for 64 bit with this handy-dandy tool.
https://www.grc.com/securable.htm

 

[maxie]

Its just my personal opinion if you had more ram then yes 64 Bit OS .. Its your Computer your choice

 

[hazel123]

Thank you very much maxie and Britton. The Processor is ok for 64 bit, I just wasn't sure about the motherboard and/or whether the graphics card might come into the equation. Laptop hasn't arrived yet - when it does, will run the tool. I just can't wait to get my hands on it, so am doing the research and decision-making until it gets here!

I see what you are saying maxie, and you are probably right - but it is why I am feeling indecisive, because 4gb could do either 64 bit or 32 bit. I thought if I found out part of the hardware might be an issue that would make the decision for me! But if it is no big deal to instal 64 bit, I'd quite like to use the rest of my RAM. Or is that just being picky?!

 

[maxie]

No do what you feel is right .. What ever you decide just run Windows Updates that should supply you with more recent Drivers .. Sony never seem to update their Drivers ..

 

[hazel123]

Thanks maxie - problem is - am indecisive about what is right! Hoping something will sway me one way or the other, the more I find out!

 

[SIW2]

It won't make any difference.

Stick with 32 bit for simplicity and lower resource usage.

This machine has 4gb ram and is running 64 bit:

The Processor is ok for 64 But if it is no big deal to instal 64 bit, I'd quite like to use the rest of my RAM. Or is that just being picky?!

 

[baccini]

Try 64 bit you can always go back to 32 bit. If you don't try you will never know,if you want to add more ram at a later date its all set to go.

 

[SIW2]

The first post says, kiss.

Hazel
It is for my ageing aunt

 

[maxie]

Try 64 bit you can always go back to 32 bit. If you don't try you will never know,if you want to add more ram at a later date its all set to go.

This Motherboard Maximum Memory is 4 GB ..