Windows 7 64-bit - What's the point?

trentlad · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:12

What really is the point of installing the 64-bit version of Windows 7 over the 32-bit?

Is it just because 32-bit can only support up to 4Gig of RAM? To be fair, there aren't many occasions where 4Gig of RAM hasn't been enough!!

Plus 64-bit drivers can be a pain in the ass, so installing it 'just cos' doesn't really seem worth it.

Am I missing something?

Reality|Bites · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:15

For the average home user who just surfs the net or plays games then there is no point really.

Django x2 · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:17

64 bit driver issues are a complete thing of the past unless you have mega ageing hardware or peripherals. The question is, why should I not go x64?

It's the future and should be adopted as quickly as possible. As applications become more intense (such as VS2010) and even games in the future, why risk being left behind and having to install again when you can just future proof now?

robinbredin · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:17

I agree. Anyway if you have Win 7 Pro, you could use XP, if you have applications problems.

Guest2 · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:32

You can only use 4gb overall memory, so if you have a graphics card thats 1gb then you can only use 3gb RAM. All my programs work fine in 64bit, even my winamp from 1999

The only thing that hasnt worked correctly for me in 64bit is Cisco VPN. 64bit might not be much use now but wait a few years when 64bit only programs and games are released

alex24 · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:34

I believe there are advantages to security as well, though I'm unsure exactly how it works.

Antar Bolaeisk · 16 Apr 2010 at 15:47

There's also the fact that in 28 years time your computer will blow up if it's still using a 32-bit os

I don't know what the craic is with Win7 having not used the 32-bit version but certainly with Vista I found the 64-bit version to be a much better experience all around.

theheyes · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:02

32 bit is old, and should be used for insurmountable compatibility reasons only.

mast3r · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:03

64BIT - Coz' you can.

OpenToSuggestions · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:05

theheyes said:
32 bit is old, and should be used for insurmountable compatibility reasons only.

The question should be 'why are some people still on 32 bit?'.

For a gamer, CAD user, film/music creator, the ram usage that 32bit allows is a major limitation.

I will be very suprised if windows 8 has a 32 bit version.

unp|dissy · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:05

Guest2 said:
You can only use 4gb overall memory, so if you have a graphics card thats 1gb then you can only use 3gb RAM. All my programs work fine in 64bit, even my winamp from 1999

The only thing that hasnt worked correctly for me in 64bit is Cisco VPN. 64bit might not be much use now but wait a few years when 64bit only programs and games are released

Thirs party vpn clients work fine with cisco vpn tunnels.

I use one for my work infrastructure to get round the x86 problem with cisco vpn client.

Guest2 · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:14

unp|dissy said:
Thirs party vpn clients work fine with cisco vpn tunnels.

I use one for my work infrastructure to get round the x86 problem with cisco vpn client.

Thanks. I dont know too much about the matter but i think we have some sort of licence with Viatel that uses Cisco vpn. To change would cost £1000s

Every system we get from Dell or anyone else still comes with 32bit anyway as standard

apatia77 · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:20

Guest2 said:
Thanks. I dont know too much about the matter but i think we have some sort of licence with Viatel that uses Cisco vpn. To change would cost £1000s

Every system we get from Dell or anyone else still comes with 32bit anyway as standard

I think only some dell laptops come with 64bit win 7 as standard.

Totality · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:25

They were originally talking about releasing Windows 7 as 64-bit only and I wish they just had! Then there wouldn't be this problem. I personally have 64-bit as my laptop came with it, but I would prefer 32-bit as the laptop has 3GB of RAM so doesn't even need 64-bit and I use Avast AV v5 which doesn't support boot time scan on 64-bit for some odd reason. They are hoping to add it in for 64-bit under v5.1.

unp|dissy · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:31

apatia77 said:
I think only some dell laptops come with 64bit win 7 as standard.

There's some free ones too. Linux and windows.

Quick google should do the trick for you, they're only clients, not vpn tunnels

Edit :

Try:

Secure NCP
or
Shrew http://www.shrew.net/

There's loads of linux ones too.

asim18 · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:41

trentlad said:
To be fair, there aren't many occasions where 4Gig of RAM hasn't been enough!!

There are many occasions where over 4GB of ram would seriously improve your workflow.

Ok, so it's enough if you're a basic user. But it's a godsend for professional users; film editing, CAD, etc...

Sunbed · 16 Apr 2010 at 16:51

64 is a bigger number than 32 so it must be better.

/Thread

Burnsy2023 · 16 Apr 2010 at 17:11

asim18 said:
There are many occasions where over 4GB of ram would seriously improve your workflow.

Ok, so it's enough if you're a basic user. But it's a godsend for professional users; film editing, CAD, etc...

I'm going to have to upgrade to 8GB RAM as I need more for all my VMs.

J.B · 16 Apr 2010 at 18:25

Burnsy2023 said:
I'm going to have to upgrade to 8GB RAM as I need more for all my VMs.

Same here!

Not only a supported RAM increase there is also a greater throughput on the CPU.

bledd · 16 Apr 2010 at 18:28

trentlad said:
What really is the point of installing the 64-bit version of Windows 7 over the 32-bit?

Is it just because 32-bit can only support up to 4Gig of RAM? To be fair, there aren't many occasions where 4Gig of RAM hasn't been enough!!

Plus 64-bit drivers can be a pain in the ass, so installing it 'just cos' doesn't really seem worth it.

Am I missing something?

That's like going onto a Formula 1 forum and saying, what's is wrong with my 10 year old Corsa, it still works guys ? No point wasting resources on these F1 cars

the only 32bit machines left in my house are an old dell laptop and my secondary backup server