32-bit vs. 64-bit

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by Ellis Wyatt, May 18, 2011.

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  1. Ellis Wyatt

    Ellis Wyatt MDL Novice

    Apr 22, 2011
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    #1 Ellis Wyatt, May 18, 2011
    If I have less than 4GB of RAM, is there any circumstance where it's better to be running the 32-bit version of Windows 7 rather than the 64-bit version?
     
  2. jayblok

    jayblok MDL Guru

    Dec 26, 2010
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    #2 jayblok, May 18, 2011
    other than having less than 4gb of ram? i'm thinking no,i might be wrong,if your cpu/mobo support x64 you should use 64 bit,IMHO
     
  3. ffcloud2000

    ffcloud2000 MDL Member

    Oct 23, 2009
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    #3 ffcloud2000, May 18, 2011
    Last edited: May 18, 2011
    x64 just uses slightly more memory vs 32

    Plus should check to see if any of your devices lack x64 support
     
  4. Chippie

    Chippie MDL Novice

    May 18, 2011
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    #4 Chippie, May 19, 2011
    What are the advantages of having a 64-bit version?
     
  5. steven4554

    steven4554 MDL Expert

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    #5 steven4554, May 19, 2011
    Being able to use more than 4GB of memory, more secure and better performance.

    If your hardware (cpu/mobo) supports x64 i would recommend you upgrade when you can.
     
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  6. redhook

    redhook MDL Novice

    Aug 3, 2009
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    #6 redhook, May 19, 2011
    It is more secure and you can put more RAM in your system.
     
  7. livinginswva

    livinginswva MDL Member

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    #7 livinginswva, May 20, 2011
    i've been running 64 bit for over a year now, and have had absolutely no problems with installing programs. I'd to 64bit if you can.
     
  8. ffcloud2000

    ffcloud2000 MDL Member

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    #8 ffcloud2000, Jun 7, 2011
    My webcam doesn't support 64 so im stuck with 32 till then :(
     
  9. mask2009

    mask2009 MDL Novice

    May 28, 2011
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    #9 mask2009, Jun 8, 2011
    a like 64-bit
     
  10. Weedy

    Weedy MDL Member

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    #10 Weedy, Jun 8, 2011
  11. sam3971

    sam3971 MDL Guru

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    #11 sam3971, Jun 8, 2011
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2011
    Well typically when ppl think "Can I use x64" they are like "Well it is supported so yes". Well in some cases that is not true! I personally run better with x86(32-Bit) over x64(64-Bit) on my desktop. Here is a big rule:

    If you have 4 GB of System Memory(RAM) or less use 32-Bit but definately use 64-Bit if you have more then 4 GB of System Memory(Ram).


    As for security yes 64 Bit has slightly tighter security because of 2 main reasons:
    1. By default you cannot install unsigned drivers in 64 bit configurations.
    2. Windows 7 x64(Vista maybe, not sure) comes with a feature called "Kernel Patch Protection"(KPP). That feature protects the Kernel against modification which some nasty viruses attack but it does not protect the other aspects of the OS.


    Sources:

    x64 question regarding RAM: Common Knoledge and what my Hardware College Professor told me.

    KPP Knoledge: Personal experience when I was helping Secr9tos develop ODIN/uODIN over at Win 7 Vista . COM

    I hope this kinda clears some stuff up, certainly some hardware will run better on 64 Bit OSes but it mostly comes down to RAM Addressing. IK a lot of ppl will disagree with me and you can use whichever one you want but that is what IK about the difference and even games run better on my system on 32 bit compared to 64 bit, even Crysis!

    Hell if you want and have devoted time, install both 32 Bit and 64 Bit and test each version out on your computer to see which one runs better and run with the one that works better. That is what I have done in the past to experiment lol.
     
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  12. UVAIS

    UVAIS MDL Expert

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    #12 UVAIS, Jun 9, 2011
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  13. ffcloud2000

    ffcloud2000 MDL Member

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    #13 ffcloud2000, Jul 4, 2011
    Yea i've done everything and no go so i just stick with 32 till i decide to get more ram
     
  14. Trinket

    Trinket MDL Senior Member

    Feb 20, 2010
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    #14 Trinket, Jul 4, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    Code:
    All of this was only true several years ago...
And because 64 bit systems are used so much more today they are also targeted just as much as 32 bit systems.

So really in todays world, a 64 bit system doesn't offer more security.
    That is both true and not true. Yes, more people use 64-bit OS these days, but that doesn't mean all the 32-bit malefics from the past are somehow not going to affect your 32-bit OS anymore :) (where many of them can't effectively affect your 64-bit OS)
     
  15. soyabeaner

    soyabeaner MDL Novice

    May 15, 2011
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    #15 soyabeaner, Jul 4, 2011
    I have 4 GB RAM on 64 bit, but only 3.78 GB is useable by the OS because the remaining is devoted to the GPU. If I switched to 32 bit will that mean only 2.78 GB RAM will be recognized by Windows?
     
  16. CRA2YHAVOK

    CRA2YHAVOK MDL Senior Member

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    #16 CRA2YHAVOK, Jul 5, 2011
    My laptop has 3GB RAM but only 2.3GB is usable on a 32-bit install, I decided to upgrade & go 64-bit & it shows 2.74GB usable, must say I haven't found any drawbacks yet with using 64-bit :)