Windows 7: 64 bit vs 32 bit? - Discussion

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Hi jezzybear! Welcome to the Windows 7 Forums.

You can run Window 7 64-bit just fine on 2GB of RAM with no problems. When you decide to add more RAM, it will run better, but 2GB will suffice.

Windows 7 32-bit only recognizes 3.25GB of RAM and I think that's where the confusion comes in, because the 64-bit is able to fully utilize the 4GB, or more.

Go ahead do your Windows 7 64-bit install and then add RAM later. Just be sure to add the same brand and type of RAM with the same clock speed, timings, etc.

Enjoy Windows 7... you'll love it!

jezzybear,

Yes 2GB will run 64-bit but what type of improvement were you hoping for? If this is the first time you will be installing Windows 7 then YES I think 64bit is the way to go because it will let you handle newer programs optimized for 64bit,

BUT

If you already have W7 32-bit installed and have less than 3.25GB of memory, you won't really notice any improvement with the programs you already use. In fact some programs optimized for 32-bit could be a little slower in 64. Plus if any of the programs you currently use are 16-bit, they will not work on a 64-bit machine unless you run a Virtual OS under it (and this may NOT work very well with only 2GB RAM).

So my answer is, Yes, go 64 if you are doing a brand new install but NO, don't try changing to it if you already have W7 32, less than 3.25GB RAM, and everything is working now.

This is so funny, I heard a friend the other day say this was still an issue with Window. I couldn't believe my ears, so I came here to see for my self. Of course Win 7 may be, not likely, the last OS to make you choose. No other OS has this problem! When will MS ever catch up?

Fix all Windows problems in less than five minute! Buy a Mac :O

I don't see the problem you are referring too.

Please don't come here bashing Windows 7 while placing Mac or Linux in the same sentence. I'm not bashing Mac or Linux within one of their websites much less doing so while promoting Windows 7.

And I have no interest in trading one set of problems for another set. There is problems in all OS's, hence the help forums for all of them.

I guess I don't see being given a choice between 32 & 64 bit as a problem any more than I see supporting an OS only used by about 5% of the PC users as a perfect solution.

In either case you should evaluate the pros and cons of each and choose what works best for your situation.

That you don't see the problem is the problem. If MS would write a modern OS then there wouldn't be this discussion. They won't write a modern OS because the dumb masses just keep on buying the BS they are writing.

It's not about being given a choice between 64 or 32 bit, it's about a OS that handles both, at the same time, and doesn't bother me about the details.

Maybe people will find this forum, like I did, and learn there are choices. Before needing to know 32 from 64 bits. Darn good ones IMHO.

Where is the report button?

That would be the red triangle next to how old the post is!

Windows 7 64-Bit does just that, so there is no problem that you keep referring too, your claim is invalid.