Windows 7: 64 bit vs 32 bit? - Discussion

OK here goes I have waited for someone to answer my question without having to ask it. Im not even sure how to search for the answer. All I find are articles talking about the difference in 32bit and 64bit. Mainly a memory issue. My question is if the Windows 7 DVD comes with both are we going to have an option to install the one of our choice. Or will the computer make the selection for us in regards to our OS or CPU at the time.

Yep, you'll either get both on the same DVD and you can make a selection yourself when you first install, or they will come on 2 separate discs.

All fixed now, thanks for the heads up Clifford!

in a nutshell, if you ever plan to have more then 3gb of memory in your pc, install the 64bit.

you can not upgrade from 32bit to 64bit.

If there's the remotest chance you'll have 4gb or more of memory, go with the 64bit. I've been running 64bit since vista and haven't encountered any major issues. if you have any old hardware there is a chance that the drivers for it wont work under 64bit. but i haven't encountered that problem with anything current.

Hello

Thank you for this it has helped me out tremendously. I will be going for the 32 bit version, on the hope it will be the least problematic. I crash around on computers as opposed to understanding what is going on. The thought of my computer not working is a stress too far.

Thank you

J

I just have a silly little question... When I got my laptop w/ Vista, all the "nifty" stuff like Aero wasn't usable because I'm 32bit... Here they're showing off all these CRAZY-cool things in the demos like new Aero things, and other stuff.. And I'm just thinking, am I not going to be able to use all this still?

Aero works great in 32-bit, so I think your problem could be down to something else (perhaps the graphics card can't support it). If you make a new thread with your laptop specs we should be able to see if it will work on your computer

nah you know what it was that I just figured out... All this time, I only had Vista Home Basic, which didnt have Aero stuff. The US isn't getting any "Basic" versions of 7, so I should be good =P Good old Wikipedia and its explainations of things.. Anyway, thanks buddy =) If I DO need help after the installation (which is ABOUT to happen) I'll do just that and start a new threat =)

Hehe, that would explain it Good luck with the install!

Exactly the info I was looking for. Thank you very much.

I noticed when looking at my PC specs that it is 64 bit capable. What is the difference between being straight out 64 bit & being capable of 64 bit? I know that my Firefox browser is 32 bit, as under help it says nothing about it being 64 bit. It only says that it is the 3.6 Beta 4 version. And not to change the subject, but this 3.6 Beta 4 version is nice. I don't use 3.5.5 anymore. Any answers to my main question would be greatly appreciated. And if it matters, I'm running only 2GB RAM.