Hi, I've been using windows 7 for a few months now, but it's a 32bit version. I'm thinking about moving to a 64-bit edition, but to use that effectively with 4GB ram, I need to enable memory remapping (according to various sites and guides): a function that is not supported by my motherboard (I have the latest BIOS installed and contacted support, they confirmed my motherboard does not support the function). My motherboard is 64-bit capable, as is my processor. I have 4GB RAM installed. My question is: Do I get any advantage out of installing a 64 bit OS? Thanks in advance
Always, Always, Always install64 bit. Why? Because ram is so freaking cheap that eventually you will most likely have 4 GB or more of ram. Some say you have to have 3 gb or more to run 64bit windows but thiis is simply not true. 64 bit vs 32 bit is processer dependent, not ram dependent, if your processor is 64 bit then install 64 bit windows. Scenerio that happens all the time. Bob buys a computer with 32 bit windows (because all those extra bits scared him), he then gets his computer just the way he wants it with all of his programs and tweaks, all of his games and porn exactly where he likes them and then realizes that his system just doesn't quite like having only 2 gb of ram, now he upgrades his ram only to find out that windows only sees 3.5 gb of the 4, 6, or 8 that he put into it. He scratches his head, takes the ram back because it must be deffective, gets an attitude from the 17 year old at best buy, returns home to find that he still has 3.5 gb of ram. He then, finally, comes to this forum to find that he needs the 64 bit version of the OS to use all of his bits and bytes of ram. But wait, some genius from russia figured out how to use all of that ram goodness on a 32 bit OS (because we all know that the 32 bit OS can access 128 zillion gb of ram, this is just a conspiracy by bill gates and co) by simply hacking this .dll file or that .exe file and so he trys this "work around" which results in an unstable system. Bob finally gets it through his thick head, does a clean install with win 7 64 bit, uses Daz's loader, buys enzyte and all the women love him. Just use the f**king 64 bit OS, please.
Although some have had problems with 32 bit programs on x64, I've yet to have any. x64 in windows 7 is the most trouble free x64 windows there ever was. I Love it and only have 3G of ram. Not near the compatibility problems of xp64. Well put Dolorous Edd
So Bob, after finally getting to use all of his 8GB of RAM, is one happy camper. At First... Because a day later he tries to install that old x32 app he loves so much, only to find that it doesnt work in a 64bit environment period. Bob, unspeakably annoyed, thinks to hell with that crap, gives DE a piece of his mind, rips out the extra 4GB, donates it to a charity and reinstalls his good old x32, where no app or driver has ever given him any trouble. And Bob and his PC lived happily ever after...
Yeah, but bob is a douche nozzle. He could have dual booted and been happy with 32 bit not seeing the extra ram, or played with XP mode. He didn't have to donate the ram to charity.
Thanks for your answers. So, in short, it doesn't matter if I won't be able to 'see' all 4GB of RAM (I can't do memory remapping), it's still better to install 64bit?
Well Bob probably is an environmentalist. They dont waste energy for electronic parts they have no use for so they rather give them away. (Just a guess tho, i dont know him that well either.) On a more serious note; 32 or 64, it really depends. In my (highly personal) opinion 64bit is not really a must-have right now since the vast majority of apps are still 32bit anyway. But much like with graphic cards, processors and game consoles; ask a hundret people and youll be getting a hundret different answers and opinions. Because in the end it boils down to personal preference...
If If If you do run into 64bit driver issues Xp mode works nicely for them.. might be a little more annoying but at least you can use all of your systems memory to the max. i have a webcam and a printer that doesn't play nicely with 64 but meh i can work around that