BleepingComputer.com: windows 7 32/64 bit?

Welcome to BleepingComputer, a free community where people like yourself come together to discuss and learn how to use their computers. Using the site is easy and fun. As a guest, you can browse and view the various discussions in the forums, but can not create a new topic or reply to an existing one unless you are logged in. Other benefits of registering an account are subscribing to topics and forums, creating a blog, and having no ads shown anywhere on the site.

Click here to Register a free account now! or read our Welcome Guide to learn how to use this site.

2 Pages
1
2
→

You cannot start a new topic
You cannot reply to this topic

windows 7 32/64 bit? which one should i get?

#1 binini

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 19-June 09

Posted 05 March 2010 - 03:39 AM

should i buy the 64 bit version or 32?

my processor is amd athlon 62 X2 dual 5000+ 2.61 ghz

and i have 3gb of ram

#2 Tsugumi

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 1
Joined: 05-March 10

Posted 05 March 2010 - 03:44 AM

I would recommend the 32-bit version. 64-bit won't take advantage of the 3GB RAM. I would recommend 64-bit for computers with 4GB+ RAM.

#3 keyboardNinja

Bleepin' Ninja

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 4,741
Joined: 19-December 09
Gender:Male
Location:teh interwebz

Posted 05 March 2010 - 07:21 AM

Yes, the only reason to chose 64-bit over 32-bit is because 64-bit can utilize over 4GB of RAM, while 32-bit cannot.

Also, your processor may or may not be able to support a 64-bit OS (I tried searching the web, but was unfruitful).

So, 32-bit would be fine for you. If I'm not mistaken, I think they include both bits in retail copies of Windows 7 (or so I've heard).

Enjoy Windows 7!! :huh:

PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web

#4 binini

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 19-June 09

Posted 05 March 2010 - 07:28 AM

what happens if i want to add another 1gb ram (i have 1 slot left i might want to fill) will windows 7 let me?

oh and i have purchased from a student online shop thing so its only the 32 bit edition =P

#5 keyboardNinja

Bleepin' Ninja

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 4,741
Joined: 19-December 09
Gender:Male
Location:teh interwebz

Posted 05 March 2010 - 07:49 AM

Yes, you can add another GB of ram if you so please (see here). There isn't much point in my opinion, as you will likely never come close to filling up the 3GB while using it. I've had 3GB since Vista, and see no reason to go to 4GB (it's like living alone in a 3,000 sq ft house or "upgrading" to a 4,000 sq ft house....what's the point?). See what I mean?

Well, I guess that settles the bit question, then. :huh:

If you do get some more RAM (now or whenever), I recommend you buy from Crucial.com. They will make sure you are buying the correct kind, and they have some of the best prices around. :huh:

PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web

#6 cryptodan

Bleepin Madman

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 16,929
Joined: 08-September 08
Gender:Male
Location:Catonsville, Md

Posted 05 March 2010 - 03:14 PM

I would recommend getting 64bit to be future proof so you wouldn't have to go out and buy a new OS to install over your current one. All you would need to do is install more RAM. If possible get a package deal with retail Windows 7 and see if you can get both 32 and 64bit versions.

My work schedule is as follows: Mon and Tues 1800 to 0600, Friday - Sunday 1800EST to 0600, and Wednesday to Thursday 1800est to 0600. So if I do not respond right away I am at work.
----------------
If I am helping you, then Please Send Me a Message!with your thread link in it. This is only if I haven't replied back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
----------------
My Main Site || My Backup Site || steam://friends/add/cryptodan Add me to your Steam Friends.

#7 binini

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 19-June 09

Posted 06 March 2010 - 05:07 AM

if i have 64 bit without having more then 4 gb of ram will it not work?

#8 cryptodan

Bleepin Madman

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 16,929
Joined: 08-September 08
Gender:Male
Location:Catonsville, Md

Posted 06 March 2010 - 11:21 AM

binini, on Mar 6 2010, 10:07 AM, said:

if i have 64 bit without having more then 4 gb of ram will it not work?

It will work just fine.

#9 Layback Bear

Forum Addict

Group: Members
Posts: 1,842
Joined: 12-September 06
Gender:Male
Location:Northern Ohio

Posted 06 March 2010 - 01:43 PM

I chose 64 bit. 64 bit is for now and the future. Some day you might want more Ram for what ever reason. W7 64 will run great on 3 gigs or more. I like the more.

#10 keyboardNinja

Bleepin' Ninja

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 4,741
Joined: 19-December 09
Gender:Male
Location:teh interwebz

Posted 06 March 2010 - 07:12 PM

Make sure your processor can support 64-bit before you get it....I know nothing about AMD's, but you should definitely look into it before you go to the trouble of getting the disc, only to see an error message when trying to boot from it (you cannot boot a 32-bit processor off a 64-bit install disc, you get an error message).

The RAM is mostly irrelevant...the processor is the main issue. I hope everything works out for you. :huh:

PICNIC - Problem In Chair, Not In Computer

20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web

#11 Cybr

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 6
Joined: 26-January 09
Location:FL, USA

Posted 06 March 2010 - 07:33 PM

If you are buy a Home Prem/Pro/Ultimate Retail edition, it should have both 32 and 64 bit versions included so you can give one a try and then if you don't like it, remove and install the other. The same product key should work for both versions. However, if you buy an OEM edition, I think your are stuck 64 bit or 32 bit. No choice of installing one or the other with the same product key.

I'm running the retail upgrade edition of W7 Pro 64-bit on this system with 3GB of ram and it runs just fine. I too, like LB above, chose to run the 64-bit versions because it is the future.

This post has been edited by Cybr: 06 March 2010 - 07:58 PM

#12 tenz

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: 25-September 08

Posted 07 March 2010 - 01:16 PM

I was in your boat with RAM and comparable processor. Heres what I did:

split up my HDD into 2 partitions, Installed 32 and 64 on a dual boot setup, didnt activate either.

Used both installs for same tasks and watched performance.

Once you decide which one you are going to use, delete the other partition, and activate windows in the install that is left.

I ended up choosing 32 bit, seemed to run a bit smoother for me.

Good Luck

#13 binini

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 103
Joined: 19-June 09

Posted 07 March 2010 - 04:51 PM

as i am geting student discounted version i can only get a 32 bit or a 64 bit so i cant to a test=(

#14 cryptodan

Bleepin Madman

Group: BC Advisor
Posts: 16,929
Joined: 08-September 08
Gender:Male
Location:Catonsville, Md

Posted 07 March 2010 - 04:53 PM

Id get 64bit.

#15 tenz

Member

Group: Members
Posts: 96
Joined: 25-September 08

Posted 08 March 2010 - 04:38 PM

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc442495.aspx

If you were still interested Here you can download a 90 day trial of windows 7 enterprise either 64/32 bit. Could help you decide and then you only buy the one you want.