Confused about the difference between 32 and 64bit

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by optimistique1, Jul 14, 2009.

  1. optimistique1

    optimistique1 MDL Novice

    Jun 12, 2009
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    #1 optimistique1, Jul 14, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2009
    Hi All
    I am still a little confused about the difference between 32 and 64bit.
    I had a go at installing 64bit Windows 7 (build 7229) and to be honest there was no difference in performance to the 32bit of build 7100. I have a 64bit compatible laptop with 4GB of RAM.
    However, I could only find a handful of 64bit programs such as iTunes etc.. All the rest were 32bit, such as OPen Office, VLC etc..
    I did notice that there were two seperate program file folders. One called programs and one called programs x86.
    Does this mean that all the 32bit programs will run ok on the 64bit OS or do I need to get 64bit compatible programs....
    There are the applications that I essentially use:

    iTunes
    VLC
    bit-torrent
    OPen Office 3.1
    Avast Home Edition
    Handbrake
    Thunderbird and Firefox
    Adobe Reader
    7-Zip
    Cyberscrub Privacy Suite
    Nero


    Very confusing :confused:
     
  2. Lenmaer

    Lenmaer MDL Addicted

    Jul 3, 2009
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    #2 Lenmaer, Jul 14, 2009
    Nearly most of the 32 Bit programs will run on it, of course there'll be a few ones who won't.
    But all 16 Bit programs won't run on a 64 Bit OS.
     
  3. andrew84uk

    andrew84uk MDL Novice

    Jun 20, 2009
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    #3 andrew84uk, Jul 14, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2009
    It's not that confusing. You can run 32bit apps on a 64bit OS. 64bit apps are infact compatible with 64bit os. However, 64bit apps can not run on 32bit os. 32bit os can use up to 3.5GB of memory while 64bit os can use more than 3.5GB of memory.
     
  4. bgage

    bgage MDL Senior Member

    Jul 7, 2009
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    #4 bgage, Jul 14, 2009
    32bit application mostly will run on 64bit OS, but only can use up to around 3Gb memory... only 64bit application can use >3Gb on your system if you had more than 3Gb on it.
     
  5. nerk69

    nerk69 MDL Novice

    Apr 1, 2008
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    #5 nerk69, Jul 14, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 14, 2009
  6. optimistique1

    optimistique1 MDL Novice

    Jun 12, 2009
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    #6 optimistique1, Jul 14, 2009 (OP)
    Cool thanks for that guys, I shall wait for RTM and install 64bit:)
     
  7. enb141

    enb141 MDL Novice

    Feb 14, 2009
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    #7 enb141, Jul 14, 2009
    Remember that not all 32 bit apps works, for example antivirus most be 64bit, and all drivers have to ve 64 bit.
     
  8. sebus

    sebus MDL Guru

    Jul 23, 2008
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    #8 sebus, Jul 15, 2009
    Also DirectShowFilters, 64-bit ones will ONLY works with 64-bit player, and 32-bit with 32-bit player

    sebus
     
  9. Lenmaer

    Lenmaer MDL Addicted

    Jul 3, 2009
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    #9 Lenmaer, Jul 15, 2009
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2009
    Well 32 Bit DirectShowFilters will work on Seven 64 as long as you use 32 Bit players.
    For myself I own Vista Ultimate 64 for it's ability to switch the language interface (Japanese -> French & French -> Japanese), and never used the mediacenter functions. I know that they're many ways to patch other versions to do that but I prefer a clean install with an official licence.

    So if you don't really need the mediacenter thing and your 32 Bit softwares works on it, then use Seven 64, if you're a really mediacenter freak then the 32 Bit might be the best choice.