Windws 7 32 bit or 64 bit

[dfs4]

I have a dell inspiron 1545 dual core 2.1ghz - 4gb ram - intel gma 4500mhd laptop. Should I install windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit considering how powerful it is and which one would perform best?


p.s. I have windows vista and windows 7 32-bit installed on different partitions but since the download deadline is nearing I wanted to try 64-bit before it is too late.. but your opinions are still welcome.

 

[TGSoldier]

Go 64bit. You never go back

 

[Dinesh]

64 bit. thats the future. you wont regret if you go for 64 bit. Highly recommended by me.

 

[Sassa]

64bit of course
forget 32bit

 

[simulous]

Funny i was asking the exact same question here a couple of days ago. I decided to try the 64bit of windows 7 and so far so good. I even tested a game that didnt run so well on the RC 32bit version of windows 7 and it runs much better. 1 thing tho, and im hoping this is just an isolated issue, is that i noticed my ram hitting 98% (Out of 3gb) - I closed everything and fired up task manager showing all processes, and there was nothing running that amounted to the 2.7gb of memory being used. I rebooted and it seems to be ok now, using just over 800m. Will keep an eye on it.

 

[bigseb]

switched from 3-bit to 64-bit 2 weeks ago... best thing I ever did...

32-bit is kindergarten... you wanna be kindergarten?... no... of course you don't...

 

[Antman]

I checked out your laptop @ Dell. Your system is well-configured for 64-bit. Once you 64, it's 32 no more.

 

[Rambytes]

what the main difference between Windows 32bit and 64bit?

 

[Antman]

what the main difference between Windows 32bit and 64bit?

Think PlayStation vs PlayStation 3. Both do the same thing. Which would you rather play?

 

[Rambytes]

come on... it's not the same... I really don't think you can compare Windows7 32/64 with Playstation/3...

I know that 64bit can view 4gb+ ram... like me, I have a intel dual core 1.5 with 3Gb ram...

Launch Firefox will not take 0.2 sec to launch with the 64bit Win7?!?!?!??!?

Seriously, what is the difference

 

[Antman]

There are several hundred, if not thousands of posts at SF that address your question. I tried to big picture it for you. One is an older technology, one is comparitively new - but by no means new.

Both versions do the same thing. In real world everyday tasking, almost all users will experience little difference. Processor and memory intensive applications will benefit exponentially. If you had such an application, you would know the proposed benefits.

Google might work faster.

 

[petrossa]

Google might work faster.

Google Answers you listen

 

[bigseb]

There is actually quite a difference... but it's a lot to type ... just go to wikipedia and type '64-bit' in the search bar... that get you plenty to start off with...

 

[zsaberslash]

Having the same laptop as you I'd recommend having 64-bit rather than 32-bit. For a start you can view all your RAM and you can use virtualisation software. (Trust me I've tried both 32-bit and 64-bit)
Hope this helps!

 

[Murty]

I have run both 32bit and 64bit windows 7 on the same laptop, and I have not noticed much difference to be honest. If anything 64bit is a bit annoying because there are some apps (like 2) that I have tried to use and haven't allowed for 64bitness.
But in saying that, I have not obviously compared the 2 in terms of game FPS and rendering times etc, but I'm using 64bit now and everything (besides those couple apps) works a treat!

[I'll just add that I use my laptop (Asus M50SV) for both work and personal, and it cranks pretty much 12 hours a day heavy use with zero performance issues.]

 

[hotphil]

If you've got 4GB in your Inspiron you'll be annoyed if you go 32-bit - if you're like me those few hundred MB that 32bit won't be able to address will gall you every time you look at system properties.

 

[ggrrttdd]

I have found when I use programs that are 32 bit it takes longer in 64 bit os. Something to do with running in emulation mode in 64 bit (right or wrong I'm not sure).
As all the programs I use are 32 bit I will stick with the 32 bit os.

(I also had problems with jumping and skipping sound when I burned music onto cd in 64 bit os, maybe fixed now but caused me problems that I haven't forgotten.)

I do believe 64 bit is the future, just not right now for me. I'll wait until the programs I use have 64 bit versions.

good luck

 

[petrossa]

I have found when I use programs that are 32 bit it takes longer in 64 bit os. Something to do with running in emulation mode in 64 bit (right or wrong I'm not sure).
As all the programs I use are 32 bit I will stick with the 32 bit os.

(I also had problems with jumping and skipping sound when I burned music onto cd in 64 bit os, maybe fixed now but caused me problems that I haven't forgotten.)

I do believe 64 bit is the future, just not right now for me. I'll wait until the programs I use have 64 bit versions.

good luck

good call. Using a sledgehammer to drive in a nail is also a waste of resources.

 

[tw33k]

If my laptop was capable of 64bit I'd utilise it to it's full potential. My next hardware upgrade, be it a notebook or desktop, will be x64 capable.

 

[petrossa]

if you just run 32bit apps, even with a x64 processor OS x86 runs faster then when you use 32b apps with OS x64 (especially on AMD's).

So if you have just max 4gb, you run 32b only, there's no valid reason to use x64 OS.