Win7 64 or 32 bit for M1330?

I can't decide between Win7 Ultimate 32 or 64 bit. I am getting a student discounted copy, so the only real reason I am getting ultimate is because it's cheaper than an OEM copy for any other version would be normally.

I was running Vista, until it decided to undergo an error that it can not recover from when I tried to update to SP1 after a reformate a few weeks prior. I am currently using another laptop until I decide which version of Windows I want to use for my new 500gb hdd as detailed a bit more in this thread:

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=651764

I will probably get a 4gb upgrade in due time since it isn't exactly expensive, but I will not be doing it within the next few months at the very least.

My only real concern about running a 64-bit system is compatability issues with 32-bit applications. I thought that teething problems that were about 5 or so years ago would be non-existent by now, but it seems that there is little improvement? Hopefully I am wrong about that.

Anyway, if I were mainly runniing 32-bit versions of applications like MPC-HC, Firefox, Steam, the CCCP codec, mIRC etc. I should hope that I don't encounter any compatability issues since most people mention that most 32-bit programs should work on 64-bit OS's without any problems.

Oh, and programs that integrate themselves into the Windows shell, such as WinRAR, or Alcohol 120.

Do you guys think I should just dive in and go for the 64-bit OS?

There is a little improvement, I have win 7 x64 home premium and the OS made a carpet with programs that run x86.... IF you're planning of get 4gb of RAM later, then choose the x64 version, if not, would be a waste

No reason not to get x64

k88 said:

There is a little improvement, I have win 7 x64 home premium and the OS made a carpet with programs that run x32.... IF you're planning of get 4gb of RAM later, then choose the x64 version, if not, would be a waste

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I'm going to guess you mean x86 when you said x32? Not going to lie though, I'm not familiar with the expression to make a carpet of, but I think it's safe to assume that it isn't a good thing.

I'd have thought that 64-bit OS's still wouldn't have the same problems they did like 4-5 years ago when XP x64 was released...

Trap05 said:

No reason not to get x64

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I've heard some people say that it's pointless unless you have upwards of 4GB RAM; and others saying that it doesn't really matter since you are getting more out of your CPU due to the 64-bit architecture and that the additional RAM usage of 64-bit applications is negligible anyhow and that people should upgrade to 64-bit OS's regardless of how much RAM they are using (providing they have compatible hardware). It does seem, worth it to upgrade to a 64-bit OS, if only to 'future-proof'.

The only major worry for me is compatability issues, some people seem to say that there are loads, others say that there are barely any...

Thanks for the replies so far.

imho, 32-Bit unless you have a *very* good reason to use more than 4GB RAM.

A lot of good hardware has no 64 bit driver support.

if the hardware can run the 64bit... do it there is no reason not to, i have never had any issues with with driver or hardware support in 64bit.

Matarael said:

I'm going to guess you mean x86 when you said x32? Not going to lie though, I'm not familiar with the expression to make a carpet of, but I think it's safe to assume that it isn't a good thing.

I'd have thought that 64-bit OS's still wouldn't have the same problems they did like 4-5 years ago when XP x64 was released...


I've heard some people say that it's pointless unless you have upwards of 4GB RAM; and others saying that it doesn't really matter since you are getting more out of your CPU due to the 64-bit architecture and that the additional RAM usage of 64-bit applications is negligible anyhow and that people should upgrade to 64-bit OS's regardless of how much RAM they are using (providing they have compatible hardware). It does seem, worth it to upgrade to a 64-bit OS, if only to 'future-proof'.

The only major worry for me is compatability issues, some people seem to say that there are loads, others say that there are barely any...

Thanks for the replies so far.

Click to expand...

Yess, I mean x86

With the "carpet" I mean folder...... windows create me a Program files(x86) and another with Program Files··I think this for x64 programs

Totally go for x64

I got Win7 x64 home edition and I am very happy with it. If you are going to install even 4 Gb of RAM, only 64 bit version will see them entirely, the 32 bit one will only see 3.5 Gb or so. Also i believe in the future 64 bit applications will become the standard (and of course they won't work on 32 bit OS).

Every program is working just fine with x64 and if you are concerned about older programs that runs only on 32 bit OS (I haven't found any yet), or hardware that have only 32 bit drivers, I found a way to overcome this by installing Oracle VM VirtualBox Free Edition and run them on a virtual environment. I wrote a full article here on Overclockers about that: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=6585094#post6585094

Good luck.

c627627 said:

imho, 32-Bit unless you have a *very* good reason to use more than 4GB RAM.

A lot of good hardware has no 64 bit driver support.

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Hardware support isn't a big deal to me since I'm only planning to do this for my laptop.

Every application I have installed under my win 7 64 bit has ran fine... In this age buying the 32 bit OS seems like backwards step, unless your cpu cannot handle 64 bit instruction and you are running less than 3gb of ram (and plan on not getting more).

For most of us 64-bit may be a way to go but Average Joes have old printers and scanners and like to use old software, not to mention additional headaches with 64-bit for them.


Because I don't plan on *really* needing more than 4GB of RAM, these concerns win over for me as well and I chose to stay with 32-Bit.

Go for x64. I have all these different flavors of W7s and the only thing that works (rock solid) is the ultimate x64.

I had this issue with ultimate x86 that everytime my daughter reboots her machine, it goes to a temporary profile that she had to reboot a couple of times to get her normal profile. Sometimes I had to run system restore just to get her normal profile working and then after reboot, it will go back to that annoying temporary profile again. Tried re-installing, after a week, issue went back. Replaced memory, hard drive and reinstall - same issue. Install x64 version, box is running smooth until today.

I have 8 GB of RAM so went Win7-64. If you plan to go over 4 GB as others say, get 64 bit. I routinely use 1.8 to 4.0 GB doing not so strenuous things (some games, web browsing, office tasks, some amount of multitasking) and can frequently use 5 to 6 GB (photoshop, virtual machines).

Evaluate what apps you need to use, and what hardware. If the hardware is newish, drivers ought not to be an issue. The only issue I've had is with some specialist NMR software.

As far as I'm concerned, unless you suspect it will be a serious issue, go 64-bit.