Windows 7 64bit - Should I get it?

[DaGreatPanda]

Alright I wasn't sure where to post this and I figured the general discussion was good enough.

In about a month I'm planning on building a whole new machine, one that kicks the hell out of my current machine, and I need to know if buying Windows 7 64bit is worth it.

I'm going to buy a copy of Windows 7 but I need to know if 64bit version is the way to go.

I guess I'm a pretty big gamer and all and I'm all for new and shiny things and I've always wanted to see what the 64bit OS's were all about.

Sorry for this. : /

 

[draceena]

DaGreatPanda,

Welcome to the forums! Asking is good, knowledge is power.

Personally, I'm all for 64 bit, and think it a virtual necessity on a newer computer since most come with lots of processing speed and ram which the 64 bit OS will make the most of. Your best bet is to take stock of what you are going to be using the computer for and making sure that it can work with a 64 bit OS, keeping in mind that alot of 32 bit programs and games run just fine.

 

[Ian]

Welcome

I'm the same as draceena and would recommend x64 if your system can handle it. What sort of specs are you looking at? I'd suggest 4GB RAM if you are in a position to go for it.

 

[Veedaz]

I'm planning on building a whole new machine, one that kicks the hell out of my current machine

Thats what i like to hear ! go for as high end as you can and Windows 7 64-bit will be the perfect companion for your machine.

 

[DaGreatPanda]

Here's my current pc specs:

OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3
Motherboard: MSI K9A2 Platinum
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+ ~3199mhz
Memory: 4GB DDR2 800
Hard Drive: 250GB
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512MB

Made this about two and a half years ago. Need new machine NAO.

Here's something rough of what I'll be getting next month. I haven't looked at the parts much but this is close enough.

OS: Windows 7 XXbit
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition ~3400Mhz
Memory: 4GB or MORE DDR3
Hard Drive: At least 1TB
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB

Go big or go home.

Also thanks. That's what I was wondering. How my 32bit programs would fare.

 

[Ian]

If you're going to get 4GB+ of RAM then you'll need x64 just to use it, so that means you should definitely get it

That's a nice system you're getting

 

[DaGreatPanda]

Well you see when I made the post I was about 75% sure I was gonna get a 64bit OS. I just needed to know whether or not the programs I use on the current machine would work. Thanks for the help you guys. You cleared any doubts I had.

 

[Veedaz]

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition ~3400Mhz / or i5 / i7 ?
Memory: 4GB or MORE DDR3 / would go matched
Motherboard ?
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon HD 5870 / good choice
Hard Drive: At least 1TB / would suggest WD Caviar Black

Just my thoughts

 

[DaGreatPanda]

Thanks! Well I was looking at a motherboard and this is probably going to be it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131392

along with two 4gig sticks of DDR3 1333

Also just a side note - Never really was a fan of Intel. Not sure why but I just never really liked them as much as AMD.

 

[Veedaz]

Thats a nice MOBO / AMD / Intel as you prefer, 1TB HDD maybe look at 500GB x2 in RAID ? ,,, just an idea

 

[DaGreatPanda]

Thats a nice MOBO / AMD / Intel as you prefer, 1TB HDD maybe look at 500GB x2 in RAID ? ,,, just an idea

Well I might go with 1TB x2. though RAID is something to look at definitely.

 

[Veedaz]

I will be getting (in January) another OCZ Vertex Series 120GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive as i intend going RAID 0 on my main Computer using Intel Matrix Storage and 128KB stripe, should be fast !

 

[catilley1092]

DaGreatPanda, you'll not regret building a 64 bit computer. It's the future, as there will come a time when 32 bit OS's and programs are gone. It won't happen all at once, but it will happen. I have a new 64 bit PC and am happy with it. You will be, too. Welcome to the forums and hope you enjoy your stay!