Should I go 64 bit with Windows 7?

mr_fishbulb

Thinking of using the pre-order offer to get Windows 7 for £49. I'm wondering should I use this opportunity to move to 64 bit. Will I notice much of an improvement over 32 bit windows?

What could break? Every piece of hardware without a 64 bit driver?

Will all my 32bit software still run?

Eric_Pisch

64bit does not really get much of a performance boost unless your using 64bit apps.

Where 64 does help alot is with memory. It supports 8gb (+) of ram which makes a huge difference to performance especially data intensive apps like photo shop, premier or mmorpgs.

Drivers are not really a problem on anything made in the last 3 years, and 90% of stuff upto 5 years old.

For the vast majority of people surfing and using office there will notice no noticeable difference with W64.

as a FYI W7 will be the last 32bit windows OS thou.

Also W7 will be supplied with a free Windows XP virtual OS which should be 99.999% compatible with 32bit XP apps

[Deleted User]

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

wondering should I use this opportunity to move to 64 bit.

Will I notice much of an improvement over 32 bit windows?

Generally, the operating system will be more responsive and snappier but unless you're using software that is designed specifically to take advantage of the x64 architecture then it the speed difference will probably be minimal.

What could break?

Every piece of hardware without a 64 bit driver?

Effectively yes, but unless it's archaic then you with any luck the manufacturer should have updated drivers available. You can check up on hardware compatibility with the x64 of Vista here.

Will all my 32bit software still run?

It should do, there are still exceptions but most should have been updated, unless it's archaic.

Notice a pattern?

Download the RC, install it on a small partition and see for yourself. It is there for evaluation afterall..

-TangleFoot-

In summary: Maybe.

Fortunately, according to some sources you'll get installation media for both the 32- and 64-bit versions in the same box so that shouldn't be a problem.

mr_fishbulb

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Fortunately, according to some sources you'll get installation media for both the 32- and 64-bit versions in the same box so that shouldn't be a problem.

Think your license is tied down to the bit version - remember reading that somewhere

DatabaseError

yes yes yes!

Jaffa.

DatabaseError wrote: »

yes yes yes!

:rotfl:lol! Yeah there's no reason not to use 64bit - it's much better!

The licence isn't tied down to the bit version

[Deleted User]

slushpuppy wrote: »

depends what your going to be using the comp for as said above, if its browsing, email, office, some tunes then no its a waste, if using photoshop a lot and graphical intensive like CAD then yeppy doo.

I disagree with you stating that it would be a waste as x64 offers additional security benefits over what are implimented in x86 iterations of Windows. Even though they are probably features a user will not be aware of, they are significant steps which shouldn't be disregarded.

The software developers who make common household applications, such as anti virus and malware scanners, are also making their software to take advantage of the architecture as it enables anything between a 15 - 25% improvement in the speed of CPU intensive applications.

[Deleted User]

slushpuppy wrote: »

it would be a waste if your not going to use it to a full potential, just like people who spend £400 on a laptop to send an email :rolleyes:

It seems more wasteful to limit what your computer can do, than to not use something to it's full potential. At least you'll be getting some benefit, whether larger or small, rather missing out completely. It's doesn't cost anymore, it's a simple one or the other choice.

mr_fishbulb

anewhope wrote: »

Download the RC, install it on a small partition and see for yourself. It is there for evaluation afterall..

Good plan. I've got a spare machine so I'll try and get a 64 bitified version of what I'm running now.

DatabaseError

Jaffa. wrote: »

:rotfl:lol! Yeah there's no reason not to use 64bit - it's much better!

...and every user dragged kicking and screaming into [STRIKE]2007[/STRIKE] [STRIKE]2008[/STRIKE] 2009 is another user the hardware + software companies are gonna have to cater for! The sooner x32 support is dropped for mainstream apps the better!