P4 and Windows 7?

julianhj · 4 Aug 2009 at 09:49

I have a P4 3.2Ghz, ASUS AA8 M/B and 4GB RAM. Currently I'm running XP Pro and for reasons I can't recall it only 'sees' 3GB.

I'm assuming from the bits I've read on W7 that it should run OK on this set up. Is that right, or will it be a dog? I never put Vista on it as I'd always been led to believe that it could be a pain.

Will W7 see the full 4GB, or is there a possible hardware issue?

marc2003 · 4 Aug 2009 at 09:57

is your p4 64bit capable? if not, you won't see the full 4gb in 7 either. but not that it matters. that spec is perfectly fine for 7 (and would have been fine for vista also).

The Mad Rapper · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:28

marc2003 said:
is your p4 64bit capable? if not, you won't see the full 4gb in 7 either. but not that it matters. that spec is perfectly fine for 7 (and would have been fine for vista also).

Isn't it more because he's only using a 32 bit version of XP? If he tried the 64 bit version he'd see all of his RAM.

marc2003 · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:30

The Mad Rapper said:
Isn't it more because he's only using a 32 bit version of XP? If he tried the 64 bit version he'd see all of his RAM.

well yes, but you'd be rather foolish upgrading to 64bit xp now.

with windows 7, you get both versions in the box so it doesn't matter what his processor is capable of.

me227 · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:33

The Mad Rapper said:
Isn't it more because he's only using a 32 bit version of XP? If he tried the 64 bit version he'd see all of his RAM.

Yeah but if his processor isn't 64 bit then he can't install the 64 bit OS.

fallbayuk · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:39

It'll run as good as if not better than XP on your system. It does on mine and I went from a P4 2.8 with 1GB RAM with XP to Windows 7.

marc2003 · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:40

fallbayuk said:
It'll run as good as if not better than XP on your system. It does on mine and I went from a P4 2.8 with 1GB RAM with XP to Windows 7.

cpu isn't important but 1gb of ram? :eek:

oh well, so long as you're happy.

julianhj · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:44

So how do I know if my CPU is 64-bit compatible?

me227 · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:55

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

If you download that it should tell you in the CPU tab. If you can't see it then post a screenshot of it and we'll check.

marc2003 · 4 Aug 2009 at 10:56

cpu-z should tell you..

notice at the end of "instructions" mine says EM64T. that means it's 64bit capable. if it doesn't say that, yours is 32bit.

edit: beaten

fallbayuk · 4 Aug 2009 at 11:03

marc2003 said:
cpu isn't important but 1gb of ram?

oh well, so long as you're happy.

All I really use it for is browsing, touching up the occasional photo or if I'm feeling really adventurous I'll fire up far cry

.

EYEREX · 4 Aug 2009 at 11:21

Running on a P4 3.4 with 2GB of memory and it runs great so going to buy the retail version when it comes out

julianhj · 4 Aug 2009 at 11:24

How frustrating. Looks like it's 32-bit. :rolleyes:

The Mad Rapper · 4 Aug 2009 at 12:29

Upgrades are cheap - sell your current board, RAM and CPU on eBay, then buy a new bundle. I can recommend the Phenom II - I have one and it flys

The Mad Rapper · 4 Aug 2009 at 12:32

marc2003 said:
well yes, but you'd be rather foolish upgrading to 64bit xp now.

with windows 7, you get both versions in the box so it doesn't matter what his processor is capable of.

I wasn't suggesting he upgrade now - I was merely making the point that if he tried it then he'd see all of his RAM. It's moot anyway, his CPU isn't 64 bit compatible

julianhj · 4 Aug 2009 at 12:43

As much as I love buying new kit, the current desktop cost me an eye-watering amount five years ago, more so since I've spent more upgrading the RAM, HDD and GFX card in the intervening years. I can't justify upgrading until things go very wrong with it. I'm not a gamer, the most intensive thing I'm likely to be doing is PS Elements, when I get round to buying it...

Jeez, when I think of how much I spent back then :rolleyes: