32bit (x86) vs 64bit (x64)

[Baha]

Even 500€ supermarket pc's usually have 4GB RAM, 32bit is dead. I have to wonder who'll be installing 32bit Win7, can hardly see any reason to. Really really specialised hardware with lazy-ass devs or discontinued support maybe?

[Stiker]

Everyone has chimed in the same reasons I would give. I like my extra RAM, x64 all the way.

[revelat10n]

I dualbox perfectly fine on win7 x64, both windows can keep an average 29.4 fps as long as it's not a crowded area. I'm a casual user and really see no obvious benefit or performance increase in using either version, so I just stick with the 64bit pretty much because I can >.>

I'm glad it works fine for you, not so much for me. I play FFXI with a controller and the Win7 Hook doesn't work properly with controllers and multiple instances. The game window currently in focus isn't always the same window the controller will respond to. Not to mention the random enter key spam when changing between windows and the always fun random BSOD. The Win7 hook is still beta and has quite a few bugs to iron out.

[seph32]

64 bit is the future. Give it 5 years, all operating systems will be 64 bit. 4 gigabytes of RAM is quickly becoming the standard.

Dunno about that, rumored Windows 8 will be also supporting 128-bit.

[Chrian]

hey, if I upgrade my xp32 to x64win7 all my installilations wont have a heart attack right?

[SephYuyX]

You have to format if youre going from 32 to 64, so yes, a severe heart attack.

[Akiyama]

I have 4GB of RAM, but can only access 3.25GB of it due to 32bit, so I'm moving up to 64bit as soon as I'm able.

[virusiidx]

64 bit all the way. I started using 64bit back in '01 right after it was introduced for redhat linux 7 primarily for my servers. Wasn't a big problem since open source drivers were available pretty quick by the community. Though there were some problems because of the popular proprietary ethernet drivers (madwifi, etc..) making it a pain in the arse. But using 64 bit Linux as a desktop OS, wasn't working very nicely for at least a couple of years after.

Linux evolved with 64 bit pretty nicely thanks to FOSS and it's nice to see that Windows is finally caught up now that most of Windows proprietary drivers are developed in 64 bit. It's pretty much almost a standard now, especially with win7 coming out this month.

I run Ubuntu x86_64 and Win7 x64 as desktop OS's and Fedora/Red Hat x86_64 for my servers. That being said, I vote for 64 bit.

[virusiidx]

64 bit is the future. Give it 5 years, all operating systems will be 64 bit. 4 gigabytes of RAM is quickly becoming the standard.

Dunno about that, rumored Windows 8 will be also supporting 128-bit.

64 bit will probably still be the standard in 5 years. 128 bit will be like when XP supported 64 bit, the drivers weren't widely available during that time.

[bechyni]

64bit or gtfo!

[Korietsu]

Already running OSX 1.6.1 in 64 bit. I love my ability to address more ram than I can physically put into my machine.

[Greatguardian]

I'm currently running a Vista x86 machine, and it typically runs fine even though being capped at 4GB RAM is kicking my ass.

What sort of hardware changes would be required for a smooth update to Win7 x64, assuming I'm running this here?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ 2.0GHZ, Nvidia 9400+GT 1GB PCI (not PCIE), 4GB RAM, and for some reason a Nvidia-based nForce motherboard. My box is a modified HP Pavilion a1600n media center.

I'm assuming I'd need a processor upgrade? Possibly a motherboard overhaul? I know getting drivers for my onboard NIC and various PCI plugins was a huge pain in the ass after switching to Vista x86. Think that'll be an issue with Win7 x64?

[fishstix]

You don't really -need- any hardware changes to go to windows7, it's less intensive than vista, so if you can run that, you can usually run 7 better. imo, the built-in win7 drivers are more inclusive, it'll install things for you. It installed my onboard sound, nic, and my pci audigy2 card where xp wouldnt. The only problem I had was that I couldn't get drivers for my reallllly old wireless cards from 2002.

If you do want to do an upgrade, it depends on how much you want to spend. Not sure what motherboard you have, but if it's compatible with AM3 chips, you can pick up a nice upgrade to the Phenom IIs.

[Whogie]

I'm currently running a Vista x86 machine, and it typically runs fine even though being capped at 4GB RAM is kicking my ass.

What sort of hardware changes would be required for a smooth update to Win7 x64, assuming I'm running this here?

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core 3800+ 2.0GHZ, Nvidia 9400+GT 1GB PCI (not PCIE), 4GB RAM, and for some reason a Nvidia-based nForce motherboard. My box is a modified HP Pavilion a1600n media center.

I'm assuming I'd need a processor upgrade? Possibly a motherboard overhaul? I know getting drivers for my onboard NIC and various PCI plugins was a huge pain in the ass after switching to Vista x86. Think that'll be an issue with Win7 x64?

I don't think it's necessary for you to upgrade anything to run 64-bit. You have an nForce motherboard, so all of its drivers should be on nVidia's site.

I don't know what sort of other PCI addons you have, but you could try to track down 64 bit drivers of the devices that worry you now. Many companies already have Windows 7 drivers up, but in most cases, Vista drivers should be compatible.

[Greatguardian]

Awesome, thanks a bunch!

[Kaylia]

32 bit, and VHS.

[mootsfox]

Why do you need 32bit? If you DON'T have a valid set reason, then you should be on 64bit. ("I'm scared of new technology" is not a valid reason)