Branners Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 After my machine took a major header (big thanks to Daman for recovering the data from a seriously dead disk) I am going to make it a dual boot WindowsXP (for my kids games) and Windows7 (for my games). I have access to both 32bit and 64bit versions, what are the pros and cons of using 64bit over 32bit? thanks JB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martini Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I think it's completely dependent on your computer setup. If you post the specs I think that a few people might be able to help - I'm not a Windows person myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 In Win 64 can you run apps in 32 bit mode incase the app needs 32 bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallshinyant Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 If it was a new machine, i would go for the 64Bit. But if the hardware is unknown you may have trouble getting drivers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Definitely need specs. A 64 bit OS will mean / do naff all on a 32 bit specced computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I had to make the same choice when 7 came out and went 32-bit, just because I didn't really require anything else. I tried it, and when some apps failed to work properly I re-installed 32-bit. Not noticed any difference really, but I don't really stress the machine at all. This is a good read: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/350609/why-bother-with-64-bit-windows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 What hardware are you running on John? Disk type, CPU & RAM specifically. In Win 64 can you run apps in 32 bit mode incase the app needs 32 bit? Yes, apps can run in 32 bit. I use 64 bit windows 7 but have to run nearly everything in 32 bit mode as most do not work properly in 64 bit. E.g. most browser plug ins like flash player do not support 64 bit. You can't even browse this forum using 64 bit browser as most of the ads use flash. So far my experience is 64 bit windows doesn't offer any benefits other then potential future proofing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 Got this from the spec checker that came with the machine Motherboard Manufacturer ASUSTeK Computer INC. Product Name V-M2NC61P Version Rev x.xx BIOS Vendor American Megatrends Inc. BIOS Version 0301 BIOS Release Date 12/20/2007 BIOS ROM Size 1024 KBytes CPU Socket Designation AM2 Manufacturer AMD Version AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+ Supported Voltage 1.5 v External Clock 200 MHz Max Speed 2800 MHz Current Speed 2900 MHz Memory Current Speed 800 MHz Memory Type DDR2 Installed Size 4096 MBytes hard drive - Western Digital 640gb Green with Advanced Management Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanc Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 What hardware are you running on John? Disk type, CPU & RAM specifically. Yes, apps can run in 32 bit. I use 64 bit windows 7 but have to run nearly everything in 32 bit mode as most do not work properly in 64 bit. E.g. most browser plug ins like flash player do not support 64 bit. You can't even browse this forum using 64 bit browser as most of the ads use flash. So far my experience is 64 bit windows doesn't offer any benefits other then potential future proofing. +1 64 bit windows enables you to utilise more RAM. 32 bit is restricted to 4GB ram minus some used by BIOS, system resources etc. So if you are using 32bit Vista you might have around 2.9-3.2 available RAM. That's enough for most games today as the GPU takes over some of the work. Unless you do intensive video encoding, CGI etc etc there's hardly any difference between a 32 and 64 bit Windows O/S. (IMO anyway...) Edit : From reading your specs I would recommend W7 32 bit. That should be adequate for your purposes. Although I would try to avoid dual booting if possible. Takes up tons of unnecessary space and I suspect that it slows the system down as well. Perhaps you could consider virtualisation for the XP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbeh Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Install 64-bit and stop worrying about it It's much faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 The specs are fine then for both versions provided the disc is SATA2. I'd still go with 64-bit as at least you have the best of both worlds. However as a normal end user (mainly gaming and browsing) I don't see any real benefits of 64-bit at the moment. Once the software support increases that should hopefully change.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted June 4, 2010 Author Share Posted June 4, 2010 If I go 64bit will I have problems with drivers? I run a creaky old HP2550 colour printer, some hokey scanner that wouldnt work with Vista and an old Belkin USB wireless adapter for internet connections. My concern is I wont find drivers for those in 64bit land, or is that no longer a concern like it was in 64 bit XP and Win2003? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sakey Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 I run windows 7 64Bit on both my work PC and laptop. Never really had a problem getting drivers with windows 7 as its pretty good for drivers! It even knew my an really old printer! Its far more stable that either vista 64 and XP 64. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 If I go 64bit will I have problems with drivers? I run a creaky old HP2550 colour printer, some hokey scanner that wouldnt work with Vista and an old Belkin USB wireless adapter for internet connections. My concern is I wont find drivers for those in 64bit land, or is that no longer a concern like it was in 64 bit XP and Win2003? For some older devices I've needed google to source the drivers, but so far no issues (even for an 8 year old scanner). Regarding the printer, is it listed here? http://hpanswers.blogspot.com/2009/08/inbuilt-windows-7-drivers-for-hp.html For the others, have a google am I am sure you will find some answers (erm, did I just tell you to use the search button? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 What hardware are you running on John? Disk type, CPU & RAM specifically. Yes, apps can run in 32 bit. I use 64 bit windows 7 but have to run nearly everything in 32 bit mode as most do not work properly in 64 bit. E.g. most browser plug ins like flash player do not support 64 bit. You can't even browse this forum using 64 bit browser as most of the ads use flash. So far my experience is 64 bit windows doesn't offer any benefits other then potential future proofing. Adobe have a 64-bit beta of Flash available. I use it with Firefox albeit whilst using Ubuntu. In fact, Firefox is now available in 64-bit alpha too. TBH, Mr. B just go with 64-bit and find workarounds where needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Adobe have a 64-bit beta of Flash available. I use it with Firefox albeit whilst using Ubuntu. In fact, Firefox is now available in 64-bit alpha too. The last release is 10.1 isn't it (Oct 2009), that isn't 64 bit and doesn't work on IE 64 bit. Tried it on firefox but as that was the 32 bit version so kind of defeated the point. Might give the 64 alpha version as go, just hope they've sorted the problems displaying php forums with correct line spacing (the only reason I don't use firefox). Will check out the adobe beta EDIT - nah, the beta doesn't work on IE 64 bit... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 That's why I don't use IE. Or Windows for that matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 im running W7 64bit on my laptop and havent had a problem. Running 4 browsers without flash issues and havent found a prog that I use, that wont work with it. The ones that do try to install in the x86 enviroment, I installed normally (ie not in the W7 x86 folder but on another drive all together) and havent had an issue with any of them running. there is alot more support for 64bit these days compared to days of old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 64bit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytotheB Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 There is a lot more support, especially with hardware drivers. I am a gamer and have always had x64 OS'. Thats because I have used more than 4GB of RAM and needed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 I am the data recovery master! Unless your devices only have 32 bit drivers there is no reason to not choose 64bit. When W7 was launched the switch has been made, 64bit is here to stay and will remain. Just checked the stats for the sites sales - 4% were for 32bit OS's! Maybe too late but W7 pro has an XP compability mode which works rather well. Much easier than faffing around with all that DB malarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 I have the Pro version for the XP compat system. Only problem is my children need to be able to get to their games without being anywhere near my profile which means they have to log in, then run the XP mode and then run their games. So DB is the next best solution with XP being the main system and Windows7 for messing about until I can see what it does. I'm going to try the dual boot W7 64bit tonight. I have XP running pretty well so should be interesting to see how it all performs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 I'm also dual booting Win7 and XP Pro, it works seamlessly and have had no problems at all. However I try to install all the XP apps on the drive that contains the XP OS rather than sharing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted June 5, 2010 Author Share Posted June 5, 2010 how much space does W7 take? I have a 400gb partition and a 200gb partition. XP is sitting on the 400gb partition so was thinking about using the 200gb for W7 and its apps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted June 5, 2010 Share Posted June 5, 2010 Win7 itself is about 25GB for the Extreme version. Not bad really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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