Why should I use 64 bit?

[Hankm]

Hi. I am a home user using MS Office, Quicken, TurboTax, Adobe Photo Shop,an HP printer and the like. I also have a weather station. All of this works well using 32 bit but I am wondering if there would be any advantage to using 64. I am not a gamer.

Obviously I am not technically advanced with this stuff but have been using Win 7 now since it was offered with virtually no problems.

TIA, Hank

 

[Sailindawg]

If the 32 bit version works fine for you and you're happy with < 4G RAM, then there is no need to go 64 bit yet. Sooner or later, 64 bit extensions will replace 32 bit extensions, as 32 bit replaced 16 bit. Pretty much all Intel & AMD processors all support 64 bit applications. However, 64 bit apps are not real mainstream. If you need / want to run >4G RAM, then 64 bit OS is the way to go.

My interest in W-7 is the 64 bit version. I run a 4G RAM and will not rule out running more RAM as I upgrade eventually. Intel's x58 chipset easily runs 6G RAM. It's a matter of time until mainstream software starts catching up to hard ware. PC gaming will always push hard ware limits.

 

[garysgold]

Hello Hank,

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Generally speaking, if you have 3GB of Ram or less, stick with 32bit. If you have 4 or more, go 64 bit. Most programs that run in 7 x86 will also run in 7 x64. This might help. 32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions - Windows Vista Help

Gary

 

[Lordbob75]

64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums

~Lordbob

 

[garysgold]

Thanks Lordbob,

I was looking for that, but hadn't found it yet.

Gary

 

[Iknewitwin7]

Wow, I can't believe how many still use x86 processors, and those who have a 64bit CPU, and wants to use x86. We are taking too long to convert people!

So many threads on this topic.

I can't wait for 128, lol

 

[Lordbob75]

Lol. M$ should just change completely over to x64 bit and not tell anyone unless they ask.... No one would even know if they werent someone like us.

~Lordbob

 

[jfar]

If the 32 bit version works fine for you and you're happy with < 4G RAM, then there is no need to go 64 bit yet. Sooner or later, 64 bit extensions will replace 32 bit extensions, as 32 bit replaced 16 bit. Pretty much all Intel & AMD processors all support 64 bit applications. However, 64 bit apps are not real mainstream. If you need / want to run >4G RAM, then 64 bit OS is the way to go.

My interest in W-7 is the 64 bit version. I run a 4G RAM and will not rule out running more RAM as I upgrade eventually. Intel's x58 chipset easily runs 6G RAM. It's a matter of time until mainstream software starts catching up to hard ware. PC gaming will always push hard ware limits.

Hi,sailindawg just read your post,well put.and well done.

 

[patrickt]

I installed Windows7 32-bit and used it until last week. Then I installed Windows7 64-bit because I get to try it for free. Only one of my programs didn't run and it was a non-essential program I've had for years. All of my hardware runs fine. I suspect once it's no longer a beta there will be better drivers.

I have two programs that are designed for 64-bit operation and they run great. I have 4Gb of RAM and should receive another 4Gb tomorrow. RAM is pretty cheap now.

There are a whole world of 32-bit machines out there. I know it's a shock but the U.S., U.K., and Australia aren't the world. I live in Oaxaca, Mexico, and don't know anyone personally with a 64-bit capable computer.

 

[Mark]

I installed Windows7 32-bit and used it until last week. Then I installed Windows7 64-bit because I get to try it for free. Only one of my programs didn't run and it was a non-essential program I've had for years. All of my hardware runs fine. I suspect once it's no longer a beta there will be better drivers.

I have two programs that are designed for 64-bit operation and they run great. I have 4Gb of RAM and should receive another 4Gb tomorrow. RAM is pretty cheap now.

There are a whole world of 32-bit machines out there. I know it's a shock but the U.S., U.K., and Australia aren't the world. I live in Oaxaca, Mexico, and don't know anyone personally with a 64-bit capable computer.

I bet all the people you know are still using XP as well and have no intention of buying Windows 7 and if they ever do they will probably be purchasing it along side or included with a new x64 capable computer. As you have found out, there are some nice benefits of going x64, even in Mexico and the rest of the World x64 computers do exist.

 

[patrickt]

Unfortunately, Mr. Grimm, we have poor people here. If we had bet, you'd lose your bet. Most of the people I know here are using Windows98. I know some with Windows XP. I know a couple in business who are using Vista.

I like Windows7 and I like using the 64-bit version but saying 32-bit should disappear and people who don't have up-to-date computers can just pound sand is supremely selfish.

 

[Mark]

All I was trying to say was those people who will actually purchase Windows 7 will most likely have a 64 bit capable computer and those who don't wont likely be purchasing a new OS anyway.

 

[Lordbob75]

Unfortunately, Mr. Grimm, we have poor people here. If we had bet, you'd lose your bet. Most of the people I know here are using Windows98. I know some with Windows XP. I know a couple in business who are using Vista.

I like Windows7 and I like using the 64-bit version but saying 32-bit should disappear and people who don't have up-to-date computers can just pound sand is supremely selfish.

You misinterpreted what I said. I understand there are poor people. My point is that the transition needs to be made sooner or later, so if they go ahead and do it now, its not going to cause a problem. The poor people you mention (those with computers) are probably not going to buy Windows Seven when it comes out just to have it. If I was them I certainly wouldn't. They would get it when they purchase a new computer (when they need it) and it would be x64 capable, with a x64 architecture.

None of us here meant it as an elitist comment or anything, so please don't take it that way. Sorry if it came across as such...

In the meantime, it may as well happen. Any new computer being built has x64 processor, so there is no point in using x86 architecture anymore. It would be like an army trying to fight with bayonets and muskets...

~Lordbob

P.S. Mr.Grim, your avatar scares me!

 

[johngalt]

No, the reason that it *is* a problem is that XP support ends this month. This time around I have a feeling it is not getting extended. Therefore, not offering a 32bit version of Windows 7 is losing out on a large number of customers whose hardware will run Win7 passably but run Vista like molasses.

 

[RST101]

Because sooner or later not only you but everyone will be. It will also make your computer a lot more efficient at processing.

 

[Iknewitwin7]

I can understand if someone can't afford a new PC. But the ones still using 98, will not buy Win7, because if they can't install XP, forget Win7. For those who intend to buy Win7, most likely will have a 64bit processor. I'm not saying get rid of x86 7, I'm saying make x64 the standard.

 

[Cov]

I will not say that you must get x64 over x86 ... but if you are about to make a decision and your PC is compatible, then the answer is a no-brainer really.

 

[johngalt]

I can understand if someone can't afford a new PC. But the ones still using 98, will not buy Win7, because if they can't install XP, forget Win7. For those who intend to buy Win7, most likely will have a 64bit processor. I'm not saying get rid of x86 7, I'm saying make x64 the standard.

You're making one *very* big mistake. If these folks are running legacy to ancient hardware and currently running Windows 98, then the ***last*** thing they are going to do is buy a ***NEW*** PC - they are going to buy a not so old (but still well out of the reaches of Vista and Win7) machine, like the Celeron 366 Laptop or Pentium 4 1 GB machine I have in storage.

I will not say that you must get x64 over x86 ... but if you are about to make a decision and your PC is compatible, then the answer is a no-brainer really.

I disagree- if your machine *can* run a 64bit OS, but you only have 1-2 GB of RAM, and the motherboard only had 2 slots so RAM expansion is not a probability without complete replacement, then I say *don't* get 64bit - you don't get a performance increase enough to warrant the increased use of RAM on the machine, and with only 1-2 GB onboard you're sacrificing a significant chunk of RAM for absolutely nothing.


@everyone - what it comes down to is knowing the requirements, limitations, and benefits / disadvantages of running a 32bit OS versus a 64bit OS. Just because you *can* run it does not mean that you should. A prime example is an analogous situation with my old (now wrecked) 1999 Infiniti Q45t - it was slated to run Premium unleaded fuel (93+ Octane) only. Now, there was one local gas station that actually offered 94 Octane - however, there was no real tangible benefit, and a definite tangible disadvantage - it cost ~ $.20 more per gallon, and this was when gas was knocking on $4.00 per gallon....on a 22 gallon tank, that was a big chunk of change, and the added $.20 only made it worse.

My car could easily run the 94 Octane, and there might have been slight performance improvement - but for the added costs of $4.00 per week, or ~ $230 year it simply was not worth it to me.

The same holds true here - if you have 4+ GB of RAM, you should not be thinking twice about x64.

If you have 3 GB of RAM you should consider it.

If you have 1-2 GB of RAM you need to really analyze the benefits versus the intangible *and* tangible disadvantages of running a 64bit OS.

 

[Cyberwolf]

Hi. I am a home user using MS Office, Quicken, TurboTax, Adobe Photo Shop,an HP printer and the like. I also have a weather station. All of this works well using 32 bit but I am wondering if there would be any advantage to using 64. I am not a gamer.

Obviously I am not technically advanced with this stuff but have been using Win 7 now since it was offered with virtually no problems.

TIA, Hank

This is just my personal opinion, but I believe the x64 edition is quicker. I noticed a difference with the x64 edition of Vista when I upgraded to 8Gbs of RAM and made the switch. Perhaps it's just because Windows has 2x the memory available to it that it didnt beforehand. I'm not sure...However like anything, x64 will one day be the only option and x86 will be just like 16 bit Windows 3.1....A distant memory

 

[Brink]

Ok guys, let's keep this conversation friendly. :sarc:

Posts removed.

Shawn