Windows 7 32bit vs 64bit?
- Thread starter jack1953
- Start date
This link is for Vista, but holds true for Win 7. In short, if you have a 64-bit processor, then you should install the 64-bit OS.
A description of the differences between 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista
A description of the differences between 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista
My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Dell and Custom
- OS
- Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
- CPU
- System 1: i7 [email protected], System 2: AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6G
- Motherboard
- System 1:Dell 06NWYK System 2: ASUS M5A97 AM3+
- Memory
- System 1: 8GB System 2: 8GB
- Graphics Card(s)
- System 1: ATI FirePro V4800 System 2: Radeon HD 6850
- Sound Card
- System 1: onboard System 2: onboard
- Monitor(s) Displays
- System1: Viewsonic HDMI 24"
- Screen Resolution
- System 1: 1920x1080 System 2: 1920x1080
- Hard Drives
- System 1: Mirrored .5B drives System 2: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
- Case
- System 1: Dell System 2: Cooler Master
- Internet Speed
- 10 MBPS
- Local time
- 12:46 AM
- Messages
- 12,011
The average user doesn't particularly need to be concerned with it.
Most store-bought PCs now use 64 and that trend will continue.
Worldwide, I'd guess most people are still on 32, but that won't last.
The primary selling point for 64 is that it will use more than circa 3.5 GB of RAM, unlike 32.
And--some applications (not many) won't run properly on 64.
In day to day operation, you aren't likely to be able to tell which you are using.
Most store-bought PCs now use 64 and that trend will continue.
Worldwide, I'd guess most people are still on 32, but that won't last.
The primary selling point for 64 is that it will use more than circa 3.5 GB of RAM, unlike 32.
And--some applications (not many) won't run properly on 64.
In day to day operation, you aren't likely to be able to tell which you are using.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
- OS
- Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
- CPU
- Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
- Motherboard
- AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
- Memory
- 8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
- Graphics Card(s)
- none; graphics are integrated on CPU
- Sound Card
- onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
- Screen Resolution
- 1600 x 900
- Hard Drives
- System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
- PSU
- Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
- Case
- Antec Solo II
- Cooling
- Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
- Keyboard
- Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
- Mouse
- Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
- Antivirus
- Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
- Browser
- Pale Moon
- Other Info
- All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
So it's determined by the processor speed? Assuming 64bit is faster? Are most proessors 32bit?
My Computer
- OS
- Windows 7
- Local time
- 12:46 AM
- Messages
- 12,011
Certain processors support 64 bit Windows. All the recent PC processors do. It's the architecture of the processor, not its speed.
The speed difference isn't normally noticeable.
But you may as well go with 64 whenever possible unless you have certain older apps that will not install or run on 64.
The speed difference isn't normally noticeable.
But you may as well go with 64 whenever possible unless you have certain older apps that will not install or run on 64.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Ignatz Special; 4 speed manual gearbox; factory air conditioning; one of one
- OS
- Windows 7 Home Premium SP1, 64-bit
- CPU
- Intel Skylake i5-6600K, not overclocked
- Motherboard
- AsRock Z170M Extreme 4, micro ATX
- Memory
- 8 GB HyperX DDR4-2666 (2 x 4 GB)
- Graphics Card(s)
- none; graphics are integrated on CPU
- Sound Card
- onboard: Realtek ALC1150; external: USB Behringer UF0-202
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dell S2340M 23 inch IPS
- Screen Resolution
- 1600 x 900
- Hard Drives
- System: Crucial MX100 series SSD, 128 GB;
Data: Samsung Spinpoint 103SJ, 1 TB;
Backup: WD Caviar Green WD30EZRX-00D8PB0, 3 TB
- PSU
- Rosewill SilentNight 500 watt fanless, semi-modular
- Case
- Antec Solo II
- Cooling
- Noctua NH-U12S; Noctua F12 intake, Noctua S12A exhaust
- Keyboard
- Microsoft 200 6JH-00001 USB
- Mouse
- Dell or Microsoft optical wired; USB
- Antivirus
- Microsoft Security Essentials and Malwarebytes Premium
- Browser
- Pale Moon
- Other Info
- All fans PWM; speeds at idle: CPU circa 500 rpm; intake circa 600 rpm; exhaust circa 600 rpm; CPU temps 27 idle and 47 C load in a warm room (27 C/81 F) when running Intel Extreme Tuning Utility stress test.
I was one of the unfortunate who had a virtual USB port device that I wasn't sure had a 64-bit driver at the time (early 2010) So, since I have an OEM DVD, it's 32-bit only for me for the duration.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Custom
- OS
- Windows 7
- CPU
- AMD Phenom II X2 (dual-core)
- Motherboard
- GA-MA785GM-US2H
- Memory
- 4G
- Graphics Card(s)
- integrated ATI HD 4200
- Sound Card
- integrated
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Samsung 24"
- Screen Resolution
- 1920x1080
- Hard Drives
- 1 SSD - Samsung 840 - 500 GB - OS and DATA partitions
1 SSD - Intel 320 - 120 GB (used for backups) - Misc/BACKUP
1 SATA HD - WD, 500 GB - BACKUP
- PSU
- Ultra X4 500W
- Case
- Ultra X-blaster
- Keyboard
- Microsoft Digital Media Pro
- Mouse
- Logitech WIRED!
- Internet Speed
- 15 Mbps FIOS
- Local time
- 2:46 AM
- Messages
- 1,652
Most installations are 64 bit nowadays.
You are limited to using less than 4GB of RAM memory with 32 bit Windows (on the order of 3.5 GB). With Windows 64 bit, you can utilize more than 4GB if your processor and motherboard support it.
My Computer
- Computer type
- PC/Desktop
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Home built (GeneO industries)/Model 4
- OS
- Windows 10 Pro. EFI boot partition, full EFI boot
- CPU
- i7 4770k 4.4GHz (44-44-43-43 turbo) @ 1.248V
- Motherboard
- ASUS Maximus VI Hero
- Memory
- 16GB (8GBx2) @2200 MHz G.skill Sniper 10-11-10-30-1, 1.6V
- Graphics Card(s)
- MSI GTX 970 Gaming 4G
- Sound Card
- Onboard SupremeFX Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- NEC Spectraview 2490WUXi-SV
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1200
- Hard Drives
- Samsung 850 Pro 256GB (OS), Samsung 2x 128GB 840 Pro SSD in RAID0, 3x WD Blue 6Gb/s 1TB RAID0, WD 2TB Black external USB 3.0, 2TB WD20EARS Green external USB 3.0, 2x 500GB Seagate and 1 750 GB external USB, 1x 350GB external USB3
- PSU
- Seasonic X-850 (2012 KM3 model)
- Case
- Fractal Design Define R4
- Cooling
- NH-D14, NF-F12, NF-A15; NF-P14, NF-P12,NF-A14, S12A PWM
- Keyboard
- Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid - Brown
- Mouse
- Logitech G602
- Internet Speed
- 126.4 Mb/s down, 24.3 Mb/s up
- Other Info
- USB 3.0 x8 , SATA III x8, eSATA, USB 2.0 x6. Samsung DVD R/W drive.
WEI: CPU 7.8, Memory 7.9, Graphics 7.9, Disk 7.9
seavixen32
New member
Most new computers are sold with a 64-bit operating system these days.
Have a look here for comparisons with the 32-bit version of Windows 7.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions
Have a look here for comparisons with the 32-bit version of Windows 7.
32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions
My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- HP Pavilion Elite 495UK
- OS
- Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-Bit
- CPU
- Intel Core i7 870 @ 2.93GHz
- Motherboard
- MSI 2A9C (CPU1)
- Memory
- 8Gb Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz
- Graphics Card(s)
- nVidia GeForce GTX 460 1024MB dedicated RAM
- Sound Card
- Realtek HD Audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- HP2310i
- Screen Resolution
- 1920 x 1080
- Hard Drives
- 1x1954GB Hitachi HDS22020ALA 330 (RAID), 1x1954GB Hitachi External for backup and storage
- PSU
- 460W
- Case
- HP Elite
- Cooling
- Air cooled
- Keyboard
- Logitech K750 solar-powered keyboard
- Mouse
- Logitech Wireless M180 mouse
- Internet Speed
- 2Mb
- Other Info
- Pure Avanti Flow Internet Radio with iPod Dock, 64Gb iPod, HP USB Speakers, Sony MDR-V500 Headphones, Sony Vaio F-Series Laptop
- Local time
- 2:46 AM
- Messages
- 7,877
As others have said, a 64bit system is really the only way to address a full 4GB of memory and anything about 4GB of memory.
Whether you can run it depends upon a few things
#1). Your CPU must support it. But this support has been around for well over 5 years now
#2). Your hardware needs a 64bit driver. Thus if you have an older printer, and it doesn't have a 64bit driver, you would be stuck with getting a new printer or using 64bit
#3). Your software will run on 64bit. Almost all 32bit software will work just fine...as of course would 64bit software. However, if you have any old 16bit software, this does NOT work under 64bit. This old software needs a 32bit OS which can also run 16bit.
Whether you can run it depends upon a few things
#1). Your CPU must support it. But this support has been around for well over 5 years now
#2). Your hardware needs a 64bit driver. Thus if you have an older printer, and it doesn't have a 64bit driver, you would be stuck with getting a new printer or using 64bit
#3). Your software will run on 64bit. Almost all 32bit software will work just fine...as of course would 64bit software. However, if you have any old 16bit software, this does NOT work under 64bit. This old software needs a 32bit OS which can also run 16bit.
My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Self-Built in July 2009
- OS
- Windows 7 Ultimate x64
- CPU
- Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
- Motherboard
- Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
- Memory
- 8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
- Graphics Card(s)
- EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
- Sound Card
- Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
- Monitor(s) Displays
- 23" Acer x233H
- Screen Resolution
- 1920x1080
- Hard Drives
- Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
- PSU
- Corsair 620HX modular
- Case
- Antec P182
- Cooling
- stock
- Keyboard
- ABS M1 Mechanical
- Mouse
- Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
- Internet Speed
- 15/2 cable modem
- Other Info
- Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Personally, I'm going back to DOS. 
My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Dell and Custom
- OS
- Systems 1 and 2: Windows 7 Enterprise x64, Win 8 Developer
- CPU
- System 1: i7 [email protected], System 2: AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6G
- Motherboard
- System 1:Dell 06NWYK System 2: ASUS M5A97 AM3+
- Memory
- System 1: 8GB System 2: 8GB
- Graphics Card(s)
- System 1: ATI FirePro V4800 System 2: Radeon HD 6850
- Sound Card
- System 1: onboard System 2: onboard
- Monitor(s) Displays
- System1: Viewsonic HDMI 24"
- Screen Resolution
- System 1: 1920x1080 System 2: 1920x1080
- Hard Drives
- System 1: Mirrored .5B drives System 2: Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
- Case
- System 1: Dell System 2: Cooler Master
- Internet Speed
- 10 MBPS
Personally, I'm going back to DOS.
i switched to Linux
seriously tho, OP get the 64 bit Win 7My Computer
- Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
- Custom Box
- OS
- Windows 7 Professional x64
- CPU
- AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition @ 4.1Ghz
- Motherboard
- ECS Elite Group IC780M-A V2.0
- Memory
- 8GB Crucial DDR2 PC5300
- Graphics Card(s)
- Asus Radeon HD 5450
- Sound Card
- On Board
- Monitor(s) Displays
- Dual Monitor Setup
- Hard Drives
- 60GB OCZ Vertex 3 SSD,
320GB, 250GB, & Dual 160GB HDD's
- PSU
- Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500w
- Case
- Cooler Master Elite 310
- Cooling
- Dual 120mm Cooler Master Case Fans
- Keyboard
- Logitech...
- Mouse
- Microsoft Mouse 4000
- Internet Speed
- Super Fast
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