Windows 7: 64 bit vs 32 bit? - Discussion

If your hardware can address 64-Bits at one time then you are 64-Bit Capable. A 32-Bit operating system will only access 32-Bits at one time even if it is on a 64-Bit system.

Each bit is a binary switch. Each time you add a binary switch you double the amount of addresses the operating system can address.

If you are using a 32-bit operating system. The maximum amount of addresses is 4_GB. Remember everything in the computer needs addressing. After all hardware has been addressed then the remainder of the addresses can be alloted to system memory. This is why a 32-Bit operating system cannot address all 4GB of memory.

If you are using a 64-bit operating system. The maximum amount of addresses is 17,179,869,184_GB. This is a big jump from 4_GB. And they are now talking about 128-Bit operating systems aswell.

Yes, I'm aware about the 128 bit rumors. My PC is two weeks old. Does this mean that I'll never see Windows 8 on it? There's nothing wrong with technology advancement, but there is a lack of 64 bit drivers as we speak. What will happen when 128 bit comes out? I just hope that a 64 bit Win 8 is offered. But I skipped Vista with no problem, so if Win 7 is still running well, I may just wait until my PC breaks before changing. Surely Win 7 will last as long as XP. By the time the support for it runs out, it will be 13 years old. That's a legacy to be proud of, and I'll run it on my laptops until the wheels fall off.

Don't worry catilley 32bit will be around for some time yet

Thanks Ian for the pros and cons for the 64 bit systems! - and the even more helpful URL. But when I went to this website, it confused me, and I didnt know what to do.
Could you please point me in the right direction (what to do once I'm on the website) so I can *succesfully* know if my system is 64 bit capable.

With CPU-Z - Download and run CPU-Z :: On the CPU tab there is a line called "Instructions" with some variables next to it in a box, if you see EM64T (if its Intel) or AMD64 (if its AMD) then your processor is 64-bit capable.

Sometimes the answer is obvious. If you see a AMD sticker with 64 in the lower left corner, it's 64 bit capable.

Koolz! Thanks for that.
Is there anything else that I need to be 64 bit capable, besides the proceesor, for a 64 bit system to work on my comp?

I would suggest a quick check on the net to see if there are 64bit drivers for items you have like printers, scanners, video cards, audio cards, etc.

I see many people with issues on these items after the 64 bit install that would have gone much smoother if they had checked if the 64 bit drivers were available before installing it.

I have a quick question...

I just got a new laptop and was advised to install the 64 bit Windows 7 because of my processor and whatnot... now someone told me that I should have done the 32...

The store I bought this from gave me no disks for the OS... if I make a backup copy will it contain both the 32 and 64 bit systems so I can start over?

Hi neurogirl - Welcome to w7forums

Can you tell us why you were told you needed the 32-Bit version?

You can make a backup copy of the 64-Bit OS but it will only be a 64-Bit backup.