32 Bit v 64 Bit

[webb]

Am i right in thinking all 32 bit Intel windows operating systems cant see more more than about 3.5 GB of ram weather ddr2 or ddr3 ?

thinking of upgrading to a i7, and about a 16 GB board which would be ddr3 but at the moment only run Xp and Vista 32 bit

if i had more memory on a new board using 32 bit would it see ? or do i need 64 bit what ever operating system i use ? ....... and is 64 bit widely used by programs to justify going 64 bit ?

 

[RJC]

You would need to use a 64bit operating to us the full amount ram, 32bit may register the amount but not use it due to the limitations.

 

[webb]

dam knew someone would say that lol

 

[Orcvader]

As RJC said you will need to use 64 bit. Don't worry about programs and drivers, these days they run as smooth as their 32 bit counterparts, and 32 bit programs can run absolutely fine in a 64 bit OS.

 

[Meatball]

Think of it this way, why NOT use 64-Bit? 32-bit would be crippling your system with NO gain at all. Since Windows Vista drivers have had to be supplied in 32-bit and 64-bit form before Microsoft would sign them. All 32-bit programs run natively within a 64Bit operating system fine.

BASICALLY: 64Bit

 

[Raumarik]

The weekly 64bit v 32 bit thread. Can't we just starting giving a stock answer such as - 64 bit is twice as big a number, so it's twice as good?

 

[SiriusB]

I have a collection of stock replies now!

Do I get x86/32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
64-bit.

Which version of Windows 7 should I get?
If you need to ask, get Home Premium*

*have re-worded this since I offended someone 10 minutes ago!

Which AV is best?
NOD32/Kaspersy/MSE/Read sticky

Should I use a registry cleaner?
No.

 

[mrk]

You forgot the UAC replies

 

[CaptainCrash]

More stock replies to the weekly recurring threads from the "CBA to search" brigade:

How do I completely wipe a hard drive?
DBAN

What can I use to make an image of my system disk?
Acronis (Seagate or WD owners can use the free manufacturer's version), Macrium Reflect, Clonezilla, Windows 7 built-in tool

How do I synchronise files on an external/network drive?
Robocopy if you like the command line, FreeFileSync if you want a GUI

What 3rd-party defragger should I use, I heard the Windows one is no good?
You heard wrong

 

[Raumarik]

I have a collection of stock replies now!

Do I get x86/32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
64-bit.

Which version of Windows 7 should I get?
If you need to ask, get Home Premium*

*have re-worded this since I offended someone 10 minutes ago!

Which AV is best?
NOD32/Kaspersy/MSE/Read sticky

Should I use a registry cleaner?
No.

But.. but I want to upgrade from XP to Windows 7 - which version of Windows 7 do I buy? 32 bit or 64 bit upgrade?

 

[Puppetmaster]

You cant upgrade from XP, only vista. So you will have to do a clean install.

 

[SiriusB]

You forgot the UAC replies

What is UAC? Do I need it?
A good thing. Sort of.

But.. but I want to upgrade from XP to Windows 7 - which version of Windows 7 do I buy? 32 bit or 64 bit upgrade?

*stab*

 

[QlimaxUK]

I have a collection of stock replies now!

Do I get x86/32-bit or 64-bit Windows?
64-bit.

Which version of Windows 7 should I get?
If you need to ask, get Home Premium*

*have re-worded this since I offended someone 10 minutes ago!

Which AV is best?
NOD32/Kaspersy/MSE/Read sticky

Should I use a registry cleaner?
No.

im "offended" by your 'Which AV is best?' answer as i think avast should be in the list

 

[SiriusB]

Those are currently the best. If you disagree - bugger off and read the sticky like it says!

 

[FallshirmjAEger]

We need a sticky on 64 bit vs 32 bit

 

[Snograt]

Well, the sticky would read: "64 bit - there's no reason not to."

 

[SiriusB]

Unless you happen to know a particular driver for your hardware is not available for a 64-bit system, then it is a bad idea. Though in saying that, if you had a piece of junk with no 64-bit drivers, time to buy a new whatever it is!