Win 7 - 32 bit or 64 bit

wadewade

I'm looking at buying a new Dell desktop and I'm being offered Win 7 32 bit as standard or a cost free upgrade to 64 bit. I've no idea what the difference is, what difference would it make and do I want it?!!

JasX

yes get it

joeypesci

wadewade wrote: »

I'm looking at buying a new Dell desktop and I'm being offered Win 7 32 bit as standard or a cost free upgrade to 64 bit. I've no idea what the difference is, what difference would it make and do I want it?!!

Take the cost free upgrade.

Win 7 32bit can only have/see upto 4GB of RAM.

64bit can see much much more (not that you'd need it at the moment but its good for future proofing).

GeoffX

Unless you have some ancient 16 bit software you can't find a better version of - essentially Windows 3.1 stuff from the early nineties - then go for the 64 bit version. I expected problems using it and have had none of any consequence.

prowla

I would suggest that if the machine can (or is going to) have more than 3.5 GB memory then go for the 64-bit version; if not there may not be much gain in doing so.
Microsoft recommend the 32-bit versions of their apps (eg. Office) even on the 64-bit platform, so there's no difference there.
The only potential negative is whether there are native 64-bit drivers for the components on the machine and the peripherals that will be attached.

prowla

If you need older apps, you can use VMware to create a separate virtual machine to run them in.

free4440273

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions

Go with 64//////

rockitup

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but would the same advice apply in my situation please?

I just splashed the cash on an iMAC with 8 GB Ram and i7 Processor.

Will be using Parallels 6 to run a just a few Windows programmes mostly share dealing programmes like Sharescope.

I read that I can set about half the Ram to run in the Parallels so around 4 Gb so do you reckon I should go for 64 bit and future proof my machine (in case I win loads money on the share and can upgrade to 16 Gb some time in the future?)

Thanks

herbert_goon

Just so you know, not all Win7 64 versions are the same - they have various memory limits so just bear that in mind before going mad with the RAM.

• Starter: 8GB
• Home Basic: 8GB
• Home Premium: 16GB
• Professional: 192GB
• Enterprise: 192GB
• Ultimate: 192GB

Richie-from-the-Boro

rockitup wrote: »

Sorry to jump in on this thread, but would the same advice apply in my situation please?

I just splashed the cash on an iMAC with 8 GB Ram and i7 Processor.

Will be using Parallels 6 to run a just a few Windows programmes mostly share dealing programmes like Sharescope.

I read that I can set about half the Ram to run in the Parallels so around 4 Gb so do you reckon I should go for 64 bit and future proof my machine (in case I win loads money on the share and can upgrade to 16 Gb some time in the future?)

Thanks

Why deliberately dilute / confuse wadewade 's thread, then immediately apologise ?

It would be less work, less words, and use up less of the worlds supply of commas to do the proper thing and start a new thread.

That way only one thread would be polluted by the inevitable swarm of phanbhoys that will descend on any poor soul that wants to talk Mac :eek:

rockitup

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Why deliberately dilute / confuse wadewade 's thread, then immediately apologise ?

It would be less work, less words, and use up less of the worlds supply of commas to do the proper thing and start a new thread.

That way only one thread would be polluted by the inevitable swarm of phanbhoys that will descend on any poor soul that wants to talk Mac :eek:

I won't do it again Mr Gates, I promise and thanks for your most unhelpful reply