windows7 64 bit or keep 32bit

bcham · 18 May 2010 at 14:02

hi,im debating if to switch from windows 7 32bit to 64 bit,i have both,but at the moment my windows7 32bit is working great,
but i have just upgraded my cpu to a q6600,with 4 gigs of ram,
what should i do upgrade or keep what i have running perfect,

Philtor · 18 May 2010 at 14:31

Install the 64 Bit version as the 32 Bit one won't be able to use all 4GB of RAM

robinbredin · 18 May 2010 at 15:07

Install the 64 Bit version as the 32 Bit one won't be able to use all 4GB of RAM

That's the only difference you will see, I know I did.

Guest2 · 18 May 2010 at 15:11

robinbredin said:
That's the only difference you will see, I know I did.

That and you will need all new 64bit drivers. All my 32bit programs work fine, dont think ive used compatability mode one

marmalade · 18 May 2010 at 15:40

Windows 7 finds most drivers so you are unlikely to have the least problem Go 64bit

djkav · 18 May 2010 at 15:45

Yeh x64.

TBH MS should have ditched x86 with win7. It should have been just x64

scooby555t · 18 May 2010 at 15:58

+1 for 64bit windows 7

No-One · 18 May 2010 at 16:40

64 here too. The only reason for running 32 bit these days are if you have out-dated (and therefore unsupported) hardware.

ricky · 18 May 2010 at 19:46

Another vote for 64bit.You already have 4gb ram installed,you might aswell be using it all.

ShakenNstirred · 18 May 2010 at 19:47

been running 64 bit here since 2007
32bit should be retired and hopefully it will be next time they release a new OS

Meatball · 18 May 2010 at 19:53

philtorrens said:
Install the 64 Bit version as the 32 Bit one won't be able to use all 4GB of RAM

I couldn't have said it better myself

.

lcg · 18 May 2010 at 21:31

philtorrens said:
Install the 64 Bit version as the 32 Bit one won't be able to use all 4GB of RAM

This. Also, the 64-bit version is future-proof, so you'll be fine if you upgrade your RAM, for example. You really should be using 64-bit if you have a Q6600 and 4GB of RAM.

MagicalTrevor · 19 May 2010 at 11:24

Why are people still asking this question?

Phyre · 19 May 2010 at 12:41

djkav said:
Yeh x64.

TBH MS should have ditched x86 with win7. It should have been just x64

After the atrocity that was Vista and all its driver problems, they couldn't really afford not to do both.

Oh. And +1 for x64

Mr.Nick · 19 May 2010 at 22:12

64 bit is the way forward

theheyes · 19 May 2010 at 23:13

Going after stuff like netbooks and running better on older hardware made x86 Windows 7 a no-brainer really. I wouldn't be that surprised if we see x86 Windows 8 too.

It would be nice to see it retired though. Microsoft have apparantly spent more time working with OEMs to get rid of the bloat/trial/crapware off new Windows 7 systems to give users a better end product, yet big memory systems are still being sold with x86 Windows. It's like selling you a sports car with rubbish tyres.