Win 7/32 to Win 7/64?

[Bertison]

Hi everyone
I have just built a low cost, low spec system as a favour to a friend who only wants internet access for social and online shopping, no games. Asus P5KPL-AM-EPU motherboard, a dual core E6400, 420 Watt PSU, 2 GB of DDR2 and a Seagate 320 GB SATA II. Only the Hdd is new, most other parts are from machines I had.

I also have a Win7 32bit OEM disc which I could use as the o/s. I have been told by someone with experience apparently greater than my own, that I can use another 7/64 disc to upgrade the 32 bit to 64, using the COA from the 32 bit disc. I am confused and apprehensive about this, as I want the system to go to my friend without any possible problems. Keeping it legal, is this possible?

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob,

Yes, that's correct. The product key can be used to activate either a 32-bit or 64-bit copy of the same Windows 7 edition on the PC.

 

[Bertison]

Hi Brink
Thank you very much, that restores my faith in my grandson's advice!

 

[gregrocker]

With only 2gb RAM I would use 32 bit. I always use 32 bit on 4gb or less RAM for better performance.

 

[whs]

I would also go with the 32bit. Functionally there is really no difference - especially for the applications of your friend.

But for those kinds of applications, I would go with Linux Mint Mate. It is a lot faster - especially on a modest system. You can download all the instructions on how to setup and customize Mint Mate from my Skydrive - it is a control PDF sheet that gives you access to 9 tutorials.