Windows 7 32 bit or 64?

[Starfleet Engineer]

I had someone email me and say that if I'm going to get Windows 7 I shouldn't get 64 bit because there's almost nothing that runs on 64 bit. Is this true? I had another friend say that 64 bit will also run anything that's 32 bit. Can someone clear this up for me?

 

[Horga'hn]

The strongest argument against using a 64-bit OS at present is that 64-bit software tends to be more specialised (e.g. industry standard CAD applications) because there is a higher demand for high performance in certain fields. As a result, 32-bit software will not take advantage of 64-bit processors, which would render the extra expenditure pointless.

If you still want to go for 64-bit, whilst you should not have too many problems you can expect to encounter the occasional bug or even discover that some of your favourite software does not work at all, even under a compatibility mode.

My advice - if you do not have specialist requirements for 64-bit, it isn't really worth it unless you have such a strong community spirit that you are happy to take the risk and submit anonymous reports to aid future development.

For what it's worth, I'm using Windows 7 32-bit.

 

[Brent]

Get the 64-bit version, 32-bit apps run just fine in it

 

[sojourner]

Most modern apps will run on 64bit. Only worry if you use specialized apps. Check with the developer's support to see if there are any issues. Then again. most apps won't run any faster unless you get the 64bit version of the app, so if you aren't going to bother, get the 32bit OS.

 

[Marc]

Running Windows 7 64bit without any problems. 32bit software runs without a hitch (Firefox, Office 2007, X-Plane). Microsoft FS X crashed but I found it was never that happy with Vista either.

And speaking of 64bit apps, the beta of Office 2010 is available in as either x86 or x64.

and point nobody has raised - the memory in the OP's computer. 32bit tops out about 3.5GB so if you have any more or depending on the ram on your video card, 64bit is the way to go.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Been running XPx64 and 7x64.

Norton System Works/Anti Virus would not install under the x64. Norton supposedly has something called Enterprise for anti-virus, but I went with Nod/ESET for the anti-virus and TuneUp for utilities as sort of replacements for the Norton stuff.

Also, x64 won't run any 8 bit apps, like some of the ancient Windows games I still have running around, but no huge loss there.

The system does see and access all of the 8GB of RAM I have installed (will recognize more than that if I ever decide to go to the 16GB my motherboards maxes out at).

 

[USS KG5]

I had someone email me and say that if I'm going to get Windows 7 I shouldn't get 64 bit because there's almost nothing that runs on 64 bit. Is this true? I had another friend say that 64 bit will also run anything that's 32 bit. Can someone clear this up for me?

I'm running Win 7 64-bit, it's great. It makes far better use of my system processor and RAM than XP 32-bit, and is infinitely better at multi-tasking. I'm sure Win 7 32-bit would be as well, but as most modern processors are 64-bit, why not use it?

The only programs I have encountered so far that do not run are old CD burning software, and now windows can burn ISOs you really don't need it, old multimedia software (same as) and certain games. In fact I've never had a cleaner install for everyday tasks.

Mind you, I would really, really like Il-2 1946 back so if anyone has a fix not requiring a dodgy patch I'm listening!

 

[MIB]

I had someone email me and say that if I'm going to get Windows 7 I shouldn't get 64 bit because there's almost nothing that runs on 64 bit. Is this true? I had another friend say that 64 bit will also run anything that's 32 bit. Can someone clear this up for me?

The first person you mentioned is someone that is giving you some pretty bad information. I have not heard of any significant problems running standard 32-bit software on 64 bit machines. The only exception to this being (as people already noted) is if you're trying to run stuff that is tailor made to use 32 bits. Fortunately though, most programs aren't tailor made to do that because developers are typically smart enough to realize that computers/OS aren't going to remain 32 bit forever. Software that bars you from upgrading hardware tends to give one a pretty bad rap amongst programmers.

Overall, I think you'd do well with going ahead and getting 7-64. There aren't a whole lot of programs that fully utilize 64 bit right now, but seeing as how it's going to become the new standard one might as well upgrade if one is already in the market for a new computer/new os. Plus, if you ever want to have more than 4gb of ram at any given moment (that includes graphics card ram and the like) you have to have 64 bit. 32 is only designed to recognize a maximum of 4GBs.

 

[TheGodBen]

I had someone email me and say that if I'm going to get Windows 7 I shouldn't get 64 bit because there's almost nothing that runs on 64 bit.

Well you can email them back and tell them they don't know what they're talking about.

So long as all your hardware has x64 drivers most things should run on it fine, Win7 64 bit has great compatibility with 32 bit applications, while more and more software is being produced with 64 bit versions. I don't think it runs 16 bit applications, but it's very unusual to come across those anymore.

However, you should only upgrade to 64 bit if a) you really need it or b) you really want it, if you don't care either way then just install the 32 bit version. I'm using 64 because I have 4GB of RAM (4.5GB if you include VRAM) and I want to be able to use it all. Also, some performance tests claim that 64 bit is slower if you are using less than 3GB of RAM, so if you only have 2GB I would definitely recommend the 32 bit version.

 

[Marc]

I had someone email me and say that if I'm going to get Windows 7 I shouldn't get 64 bit because there's almost nothing that runs on 64 bit.

Well you can email them back and tell them they don't know what they're talking about.

So long as all your hardware has x64 drivers most things should run on it fine, Win7 64 bit has great compatibility with 32 bit applications, while more and more software is being produced with 64 bit versions. I don't think it runs 16 bit applications, but it's very unusual to come across those anymore.

However, you should only upgrade to 64 bit if a) you really need it or b) you really want it, if you don't care either way then just install the 32 bit version. I'm using 64 because I have 4GB of RAM (4.5GB if you include VRAM) and I want to be able to use it all. Also, some performance tests claim that 64 bit is slower if you are using less than 3GB of RAM, so if you only have 2GB I would definitely recommend the 32 bit version.

Because of changes made by Microsoft we might see x64 becoming more prevelant (and it wouldn't suprise me if Windows 7 is the last build as x32 - they've now eliminated the x32 from Windows Server so the client can't be far behind).

Following the debarcle of "Vista Ready" MS changed the requirement for "Windows 7 Ready" - it has to be able to run Windows 7 x64.

Plus given that manufactures like Dell are shipping more and more systems with 4GB as the standard configuration x64 is the only way to go.

 

[Klaitu]

I can't imagine buying a 32 bit OS except in special cases where you might need one for businesses. 32 bit is a dinosaur. Join the modern age, go 64!

 

[Silanda]

Unless you have under 3GB of ram and never plan on upgrading, or your hardware is old and doesn't have a 64 bit processor, use the x64 version. There is some old software that will not run, but some of that won't run on the 32 bit version either. The only major difference is that the x64 version cannot run 16 bit apps, and to be honest I can't imagine that you will be too troubled by that unless you run some very old software.

The only other reason not to would be if you have an old piece of hardware, with no x64 drivers, that you really need to use. I miss my sw1000xg, sniff