x86 vs. x64

[koondawg06]

I've had Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit on my laptop for about 3 weeks now. It seems to be running fine (way better than vista ever did), but I was told it would run a lot better on lower end PC's with x86 instead. Is it worth my time to do a clean install and go down to the 32-bit version? I tried just selecting "Upgrade" on the setup CD so I could keep all my files and programs.. but when it checked for compatibility it gave me the following message attached. I really don't have a whole lot installed yet just the necessities so it wouldn't be a HUGE deal to do a clean install.. I was just wondering if you all thought I would notice it running a significant amount better on x86? Thanks.


**Edit: Here are my system specs...
Dell Inspiron 1501
AMD Sempron Processor 3600+ 2.00GhZ
2.00 GB of RAM
120 GB HD

Any other specs you need just ask..

 

[Minotar]

I cant see how it would be better unless you were running under the minimum requirment of ram,but even then if it seems ok...

Can you fill out your system specs?

 

[FuturDreamz]

as far as I've seen the only advantage to 64-bit is that it is able to access more than 4gb of RAM.
that being said, obsolete drivers and application compatibility is better on 32-bit

 

[Minotar]

**Edit: Here are my system specs...
Dell Inspiron 1501
AMD Sempron Processor 3600+ 2.00GhZ
2.00 GB of RAM
120 GB HD

Any other specs you need just ask..

Its advised to use at 4GB of ram with the 64bit edition,but i have 3GB and it works fine so id say your will work fine aswell,i mean unless you have problems with it id leave it alone.
I cant see anyway a 32bit would make it run any better,plus now if you want to go for more ram it wont be a problem.

As for drivers and applications,some of the older applications mightnt work with 64bit becasue it wasnt used much back then,but if you have a program or hardware that works with win7,the drivers arent usally a problem

 

[koondawg06]

The only problem I see at all is my fan seems to be running a lot.. but that may happen on any OS?

 

[sygnus21]

tried just selecting "Upgrade" on the setup CD so I could keep all my files and programs.. but when it checked for compatibility it gave me the following message attached.

You can't "upgrade" from a 64-bit OS to a 32-bit OS, you'll have to do a clean install. Now if it were the other way around, going from 32 to 64, then yeah, you could do the upgrade.

As for 32 vs 64, that comes down to hardware/driver/software as some are not 64-bit capable/compatible so it depends on what you have or want to use.

Good luck.

 

[koondawg06]

I kinda figured it was bass ackwards but I didn't know if windows would know the difference

Every program and driver has worked thus far for me... well except ready boost (See other thread)

So what would I notice differently from x64 to x86 I guess is my question?

 

[Nemix]

The only problem I see at all is my fan seems to be running a lot.. but that may happen on any OS?

64-Bit runs the CPU a bit hotter from my tests.

In my case I has 64-Bit for 3 months since Windows 7 released and just downgraded to 32-Bit and I feel I'm not missing out on anything. In fact I feel 32-Bit is faster on my system with 4GB ram but that's because I do not use any 64-Bit native applications such as Video Editing and Photo Editing where most users have said benefits most in a 64-Bit environment with 4GB ram or more and running native 64-Bit.

To all his own I guess but definitely 32-Bit with less than 3GB ram.

BTW, you'll have to backup all your files, reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows, all your drivers and all your programs.

 

[IggyAZ]

I've had Windows 7 Ultimate x64 bit on my laptop for about 3 weeks now. It seems to be running fine (way better than vista ever did), but I was told it would run a lot better on lower end PC's with x86 instead. Is it worth my time to do a clean install and go down to the 32-bit version? I tried just selecting "Upgrade" on the setup CD so I could keep all my files and programs.. but when it checked for compatibility it gave me the following message attached. I really don't have a whole lot installed yet just the necessities so it wouldn't be a HUGE deal to do a clean install.. I was just wondering if you all thought I would notice it running a significant amount better on x86? Thanks.


**Edit: Here are my system specs...
Dell Inspiron 1501
AMD Sempron Processor 3600+ 2.00GhZ
2.00 GB of RAM
120 GB HD

Any other specs you need just ask..

My suggestion is to install the X86 version. At the moment you get no advantages with the 64bit version

 

[koondawg06]

The only problem I see at all is my fan seems to be running a lot.. but that may happen on any OS?

64-Bit runs the CPU a bit hotter from my tests.

In my case I has 64-Bit for 3 months since Windows 7 released and just downgraded to 32-Bit and I feel I'm not missing out on anything. In fact I feel 32-Bit is faster on my system with 4GB ram but that's because I do not use any 64-Bit native applications such as Video Editing and Photo Editing where most users have said benefits most in a 64-Bit environment with 4GB ram or more and running native 64-Bit.

To all his own I guess but definitely 32-Bit with less than 3GB ram.

BTW, you'll have to backup all your files, reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows, all your drivers and all your programs.

Well if it cools my system then I'm all for switching to 32-bit. I've already got most of my files backed up to a flash so I'm good there. Should I format my hard drive using the built in windows one during setup?

 

[sygnus21]

So what would I notice differently from x64 to x86 I guess is my question?

It's basically going to come down to the programs you use and whether or not they're optimized for a 64-bit OS. You'll have to do some research on the programs you use or may wish to use to see if they're optimized for 64-bit.

That's the shortened answer to a rather complicated question.

The really short answer is memory. If you have or desire to use more than 4gig of memory, then go with a 64-bit OS.

To be honest a lot of folks using 64-bit OS' really don't need to, outside of memory requirements/wants. And in my opinion, if you have no more than 4gig of memory, you could get away with using a 32-bit OS, provided your video doesn't take too much from your system memory, but now we getting into other areas.

At any rate you can read this article here to get a firmer grasp of 64-bit - 64-bit: More than just the RAM - Vista Forums

 

[sygnus21]

The only problem I see at all is my fan seems to be running a lot.. but that may happen on any OS?

64-Bit runs the CPU a bit hotter from my tests.

Well if it cools my system then I'm all for switching to 32-bit. I've already got most of my files backed up to a flash so I'm good there. Should I format my hard drive using the built in windows one during setup?

Before you go running with this, I would highly suggest you do your homework as this can be no truer than me saying my video card runs hotter using Internet Explorer under a 64-bit OS.

Like everything else, it depends on what you’re doing or using to cause those heating problems? And those can happen under a 32-bit OS as well.

If you're going to switch operating systems, do it for valid reasons, not hypothetical opinions or rumors.

 

[koondawg06]

I don't really do anything I don't think that would even be optimized on 64-bit to be honest..

 

[Nemix]

Dude, 64-Bit is not worth it you just becuase have 4GB ram.

I have 4GB ram but 64-Bit is not for me, it's like saying if a women wants the best sexual experience go for a black dude. It's not the how big your ram is (but more than 4GB you have to go with 64-Bit) or how big you **** is, it's how you're gonna use it.

That being said, with 64-Bit OS I find running multiple programs some being native 64 and some being native 32 the CPU has two switch back and forth to provide the proper architecture for that type of task thus CPU runs hotter in my case and I have a Athlon X2 64 which runs 32-Bit native in a 64-Bit environment.

If the whole OS and all programs were 64-Bit native there would be no such debate but for God's sake even Live! Essential 2009 doesn't run in native 64-Bit and it's Microsoft own software, you tell me?

Whatever he chooses is up to him, you say 'Tomato' I say 'Tomato'...same difference.

 

[sygnus21]

but for God's sake even Live! Essential 2009 doesn't run in native 64-Bit and it's Microsoft own software, you tell me?

Care to clearify this, and provide proof??? Does this mean the program doesn't work? What exactly is your point?

At any rate I'm out as this is starting to turn into a childish debate without merit.

Later.

 

[Frostmourne]

x64 is the future - even games now are beginning to include x64 optimisations. It also has Kernel Patchguard.

 

[koondawg06]

Well, in any case, I'm sticking with x64 anyways because I finally got readyboost working and I'm not letting that go

I'm surprised my notebook runs windows 7 so well being on a single core processor.. but then again netbooks are mainly all single cores too huh?

 

[Frostmourne]

Well, in any case, I'm sticking with x64 anyways because I finally got readyboost working and I'm not letting that go

I'm surprised my notebook runs windows 7 so well being on a single core processor.. but then again netbooks are mainly all single cores too huh?

Depends on your definition of well - I wouldn't want to touch weak hardware.

 

[koondawg06]

I don't know... It doesn't seem to ever lag.. but I don't have any music editing software, or play games on mine.. it's basically a web surfer... I've got the 360 and ps3 for gaming

 

[Frostmourne]

I don't know... It doesn't seem to ever lag.. but I don't have any music editing software, or play games on mine.. it's basically a web surfer... I've got the 360 and ps3 for gaming

Can't stand consoles either, nothing like as home built PC with balls to tinker with unlike boring consoles. If you are satisfied, that's fine then.