Windows 7 - 32 or 64 bit ?

[Mr K]

Ok, so I've very reluctantly decided I'm going to have upgrade the OS on my ageing XP pc, due to updates stopping.

Its not going to be Vista, use that at work and its a nightmare, or Windows 8 -have had that on a laptop for 6 months and it's just not for me. So Windows 7 it is, can get an OEM DVD for about £70.

The pc is a Dell 5150, I've gradually upgraded the RAM to 2.5GB over the years. It would take 4GB but I'm not planning on upgrading it further. Was half thinking about a new pc, but it works fine and is quick and quiet, and a new pc is expensive.

I've done the MS upgrade adviser and it says it will take either 32 or 64bit Windows 7. Most advice seems to say 64 is better, but I'm coming to the conclusion I should go for 32 bit. That's what i've got at the moment with XP, and 64bit seems to only be an advantage if you've got 4GB or more. Is 32 bit the right choice ?

[progers]

You need to check if your machine is 64 bit which I doubt due to its age bit if it is, load 64 bit windows

32 bit as you have less than 3 gig of ram

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

32 bit as you have less than 3 gig of ram

What tiz says because you don't have much ram.

[Kabaal]

Having 3GB ram isn't a reason to use 32bit, probably not the case with the OP's PC as it only takes 4GB max but installing the 64bit version means you don't have to reformat in the future if you upgrade RAM. The only reason not to use it IMO is when you don't have a 64bit CPU.

[idi banashapan]

I believe the Dell 5150 will run Windows 7 x64. my advice would be to use it over a 32bit OS. If you have questions, look here;

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...#1TC=windows-7
http://lifehacker.com/5431284/the-li...rating-systems

a good way to test if the machine will run x64 platforms will be to download an x64 linux live disk and see if it runs.

try this... http://blog.linuxmint.com/?p=2489 < scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see a list of servers hosting the 64bit version. select one from the uk and burn it to a DVD. then turn off your PC, pop the disc in and boot from it (usually the DVD drive is set above the HDD for boot priority, so it should automatically run the disc).

NOTE: this disc will NOT install on the hard drive or overwrite the hard drives unless you specify it to do so. it will run linux as a live environment from the DVD. you will not lose any data on your hard drive by running it, however the disc will give you access to the hard drive files. just don't delete anything!!

[Mr K]

Well the MS upgrade adviser says it will run 64 bit so guess they are right, however it would take up more of my precious RAM. Think I'll play safe and go for 32 bit as I know that works at the moment, and I'm not planning on installing any more RAM. Also all I know my software will run on 32 bit.

Ta for the info.

If you look at the requirements of 64 bit windows 7 it says 2 gig and 32 bit windows 7 needs 1 gig. This in itself shows you 64 bit uses more ram than 32 bit just to run and seeing as you only have 2.5 gig you could have as little as half a gig left to run apps specially after an AV is installed

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...m-requirements

The correct advice in your instance is to run 32 bit

[idi banashapan]

might I ask why you don't want to install more RAM?

the 5150 board can take 4Gb in all across 4 DIMM slots. a 4Gb kit will only cost you around £60, 2Gb kit for around £30 that, depending on your current config, you can add to 2Gb of your existing RAM or an extra 1Gb for £20. if you're already committed to buying the OS at around £70, I would suggest it's worth putting another few pounds that you might spend on a take-away in one night to better the performance of an aging machine.

don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should or you must, just that it's recommended. this is just to give you a idea that it's actually not expensive to make a noticeable difference.

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

might I ask why you don't want to install more RAM?

the 5150 board can take 4Gb in all across 4 DIMM slots. a 4Gb kit will only cost you around £60, 2Gb kit for around £30 that, depending on your current config, you can add to 2Gb of your existing RAM or an extra 1Gb for £20. if you're already committed to buying the OS at around £70, I would suggest it's worth putting another few pounds that you might spend on a take-away in one night to better the performance of an aging machine.

don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should or you must, just that it's recommended. this is just to give you a idea that it's actually not expensive to make a noticeable difference.

Because he might not be actually buying windows 7

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

Because he might not be actually buying windows 7

mea culpa. guess i got the wrong impression.

Originally Posted by Mr K

Ok, so I've very reluctantly decided I'm going to have upgrade the OS on my ageing XP pc, due to updates stopping.

Its not going to be Vista, use that at work and its a nightmare, or Windows 8 -have had that on a laptop for 6 months and it's just not for me. So Windows 7 it is, can get an OEM DVD for about £70.

---------- Post added at 14:21 ---------- Previous post was at 14:18 ----------

@Mr K,

bear in mind that when you buy an OEM DVD, you generally need to buy it with some hardware. good opportunity to buy the RAM at the same time, perhaps?

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

mea culpa. guess i got the wrong impression.



---------- Post added at 14:21 ---------- Previous post was at 14:18 ----------

@Mr K,

bear in mind that when you buy an OEM DVD, you generally need to buy it with some hardware. good opportunity to buy the RAM at the same time, perhaps?

You might not it is just my lack of morality when it comes to M$ lol

[idi banashapan]

that said, Mr K could just install linux. that's totally free and generally a lot kinder on resources!

Originally Posted by idi banashapan

that said, Mr K could just install linux. that's totally free and generally a lot kinder on resources!

but not on the brain lol

[idi banashapan]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

but not on the brain lol

if the machine is just going to be used to surf the web and write documents/emails, it absolutely fine. anything more than that and you've got some learning to do beyond MS Windows. with the age and spec of the machine in question, I don't think it will be doing much more than surfing and letters/emails.