Windows 7, 32 or 64 bit?

**Visna** · March 15, 2010, 05:04 AM

I'm looking into buying Windows 7, and I think I have the other differences between home, pro, ultimate and whatever it's called pretty much figured out, but what's the difference between 32 and 64 bit?

**Capt. Fozdike** · March 15, 2010, 05:15 AM

Originally Posted by Visna

I'm looking into buying Windows 7, and I think I have the other differences between home, pro, ultimate and whatever it's called pretty much figured out, but what's the difference between 32 and 64 bit?

32-bit only allows 3GB of RAM to be used in the motherboard. If you put more than 3GB in there, only 3GB of it will be used to it's a waste buying more than 3GB of RAM with a 32-bit OS. 64-bit allows more than 3GB of ram. I'm not sure how much RAM 64-bit allows but it's a lot.

I think there are more features but I haven't really looked into it extensively

**Sphere** · March 15, 2010, 05:29 AM

And to state the obvious, a 64-bit OS will let you run 64-bit software.

Really I don't understand why someone would opt for 32-bit OS anymore, XP-64 was a little clunky, and Vista was short on drivers at release, but at this point 32-bit is just outdated.

**Gungalley** · March 15, 2010, 05:33 AM

And according to a steam survey done, most steam users (read many gamers) who use win 7 use 64 bit.

Although 64 bit has its

of issues, its more of a necessity these days imo.

**Visna** · March 15, 2010, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Capt. Fozdike

32-bit only allows 3GB of RAM to be used in the motherboard. If you put more than 3GB in there, only 3GB of it will be used to it's a waste buying more than 3GB of RAM with a 32-bit OS. 64-bit allows more than 3GB of ram. I'm not sure how much RAM 64-bit allows but it's a lot.

I think there are more features but I haven't really looked into it extensively

Ah, I'm pretty sure I have 4, but my stoopid Windows XP refuses to use all of them. So that's a bit issue, then?

Originally Posted by Sphere

And to state the obvious, a 64-bit OS will let you run 64-bit software.

Really I don't understand why someone would opt for 32-bit OS anymore, XP-64 was a little clunky, and Vista was short on drivers at release, but at this point 32-bit is just outdated.

Is there something special about 64 bit software? Or is some software only available as 64 bit?

Originally Posted by Gungalley

And according to a steam survey done, most steam users (read many gamers) who use win 7 use 64 bit.

Although 64 bit has its

of issues, its more of a necessity these days imo.

Issues?

Sorry for all the questions, but as a computer illiterate I'm in unchartered territory here...

**Capt. Fozdike** · March 15, 2010, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by Visna

Ah, I'm pretty sure I have 4, but my stoopid Windows XP refuses to use all of them. So that's a bit issue, then?

You would have 32-bit then. It will only use 3GB as a 32-bit OS. It's not an issue, it's just that it's a wasted 1GB of RAM in your PC. 64-bit can be a good choice but there are some programs that won't work on 64-bit. Check the microsoft compatibility center with the 64-bit OS to see if all of your programs will work.

Is there something special about 64 bit software? Or is some software only available as 64 bit?

Most software comes for 32-bit and 64-bit but there are some programs that only come for 64-bit but it's very rare. I haven't actually come across any 64-bit-only software.

**Gungalley** · March 15, 2010, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Visna

Ah, I'm pretty sure I have 4, but my stoopid Windows XP refuses to use all of them. So that's a bit issue, then?

Is there something special about 64 bit software? Or is some software only available as 64 bit?

Issues?

Sorry for all the questions, but as a computer illiterate I'm in unchartered territory here...

There might be some compatibility issues. For example, recently Steam refuses to update correctly, requiring a reinstall. Some time back, users of ATI 5000 series are having random crashes on win 7, most seriously on 64bit. Older games might have problems too. But like I said, people hardly use 32bit win 7 since Win 7 is a resource hog, and using 32 bit means ur going to go low on ram.

**martyr** · March 15, 2010, 08:37 AM

windows 7 isn't a resource hog...

anyway, if you have a multicore processor and more than 3gb of ram then go for 64 bit.

most major programs will have 64 bit versions and windows 7 will still run 32 bit programs well enough

**eisenkopf** · March 15, 2010, 11:06 AM

The major issue are old 32-bit drivers that don't work with a 64-bit Windows.

If you have old, no longer supported hardware, chances are that its dreivers are only 32-bit and don't work with an 64-bit Windows 7. While most 32-bit software works without any problems on a 64-bit OS, some software uses internal drivers, that also will not work on a 64-bit system.

So, if you use a lot of legacy hardware and software, you might want to check its compatibility with 64-bit Windows (just search for the name and something like "64 bit Windows").

EDIT: or go here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/com...s/default.aspx

Otherwise, I see no reason why you would want to use 32-bit Windows 7.

**Agisilaos** · March 15, 2010, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Visna

I'm looking into buying Windows 7, and I think I have the other differences between home, pro, ultimate and whatever it's called pretty much figured out, but what's the difference between 32 and 64 bit?

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system. For more details, go to A description of the differences between 32-bit versions of Windows Vista and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista online.

more info can be found here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...sked-questions

**Kritic** · March 15, 2010, 06:03 PM

I have been running Windows 7 64 with 6GB ram and an old vid card (7900gt) a good but modest processor e5400 for the last 2 months and the difference is night and day with these mods. I used to get a lot of ctd's with XP and 3GB ram and a 3.2 P4. I thought it was flaws in the mods but now I realize it was due to my setup. I very seldom have a ctd now and if I do it is a legitimate bug. I really can't believe the difference it has made with my gaming.

**Digbert** · March 16, 2010, 05:36 AM

64Bit is the way to go

**Mr. Pink** · March 16, 2010, 08:22 AM

I have 64 bit and my laptop works really well, don't have a clue what it means though.

**Simetrical** · March 16, 2010, 12:31 PM

64-bit is probably the better option for new installs. In the short term it's comparable to 32-bit at worst, in the long term it will probably end up being better.

**GasMask** · March 19, 2010, 03:24 PM

64

**Thorn777** · March 21, 2010, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by GAS MASK

64

Yeah, its like multiple multi-tasking and all at the same time without lag.

And another yeah, 99,9% of the pop-programs you need are, or are being updated to match 64-bit. Incompatibility hasn't been an issue for me thus far, even with programs that say 32-bit only.

**Simetrical** · March 22, 2010, 02:20 PM

No normal program is 32-bit-only, as a general rule, except drivers. And libraries or plug-ins of various kinds, I guess, but those will work as long as the program they're being used by is 32-bit, which most Windows programs are. Only on Linux do you have most programs 64-bit on 64-bit Linux, because they're open-source.