32 or 64...please tell me what to buy

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boglwe

Senior member
Aug 16, 2007
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A few questions:

How much memory does Win 7 register? 32 bit and 64?

I am building a gaming machine, will 64 bit be the way to go?

The machine is an i7 with SLI running 3 monitors and using things like Indesign and photoshop once in a while, but usually just gaming.

Thing is, I had hell with vista 64 for the longest time with drivers, is it going to be the same with windows 7 64 bit?
 
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brocks

Member
Nov 3, 2009
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If you buy it from a store (as opposed to downloading the student version), it comes with both 32- and 64-bit versions (my Home Premium Upgrade contained 2 DVDs).

So you don't have to decide which to buy, you get them both. As for which to use, try 64-bit first, and if it won't work for you, then reinstall with the 32. The same key works with both, and you're allowed to use either version, as long as you are only using one at a time.
 
fffblackmage

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
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The amount of ram that can be addressed and used depends mostly on the bits. 32-bit operating systems can only address about 4GB ram, I think. But since some memory addresses are mapped for other functions, you only really get somewhere between 3 and 4GB. The exact number then depends on the OS.

Since you're looking at using photoshop and gaming, you probably want as much ram as you can get/afford, meaning you should be looking at 64-bit. I made the switch to 64-bit Windows 7 recently from 32-bit XP and have had very little problems making the transition. Drivers for 64-bit OSes are widely available now, unless you're using legacy parts.
 
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IksokChoy

Member
Jun 6, 2004
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I got my upgrade disc from Dell for a new machine running Vista 32. I can't get 64 bit drivers for my network adapter is why I migrated back to 32 bit Vista. I've installed the Win 7 Os twice and only get it to load the 64 Bit, thus no network access. What am i missing. I've loaded it both ways, clean install and upgrade over the Vista 32. At no point do I see an option as to which version to choose. How do I get the 32 bit version loaded. I've spent 2 days trying to find drivers for my Belkin N network card to no avail. Ive tried by chipset, the terrible Belkin site and every Atheros adapter I can find. Any Thoughts?
Thanks Btw it's njot for the machine in my profile!
 
fffblackmage

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
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IksokChoy said:
I got my upgrade disc from Dell for a new machine running Vista 32. I can't get 64 bit drivers for my network adapter is why I migrated back to 32 bit Vista. I've installed the Win 7 Os twice and only get it to load the 64 Bit, thus no network access. What am i missing. I've loaded it both ways, clean install and upgrade over the Vista 32. At no point do I see an option as to which version to choose. How do I get the 32 bit version loaded. I've spent 2 days trying to find drivers for my Belkin N network card to no avail. Ive tried by chipset, the terrible Belkin site and every Atheros adapter I can find. Any Thoughts?
Thanks Btw it's njot for the machine in my profile!
Click to expand...
The disc is probably only for the 64-bit version of Win 7. You need to get the 32-bit version DVD. As for the wireless card, I would be surprised if it doesn't have 64-bit drivers, since it doesn't sound very old. But maybe Belkin no longer supports it or whatnot....
 
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hclarkjr

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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boglwe said:
A few questions:

How much memory does Win 7 register? 32 bit and 64?

I am building a gaming machine, will 64 bit be the way to go?

The machine is an i7 with SLI running 3 monitors and using things like Indesign and photoshop once in a while, but usually just gaming.

Thing is, I had hell with vista 64 for the longest time with drivers, is it going to be the same with windows 7 64 bit?
Click to expand...

not sure why you had problems with 64 bit vista and drivers. been stable for almost 2 years on my system. if you are going to use photoshop as well as gaming you want the most memory you can afford which for most is 4GB which would mean 64 bit as 32 bit will not address the 4GB. do a search here and on the internet and you will see that most recommend 64 bit now. the driver issue was taken care 2 years ago
 
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IksokChoy

Member
Jun 6, 2004
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I've emailed them no less than 6 times & got standard Bot reply. I Guess I'll have to sweat out a call to Tech support. Last answer I got was that both 32 & 64 are on the same disk, but not sure how it determines wich version to install since it was over the Vista 323 Bit
 
C

crysis

Junior Member
Nov 7, 2009
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64 all the way. driver support is defiantly getting a lot better now, and you wouldn't want to feel obsolete with a 32.
 
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IksokChoy

Member
Jun 6, 2004
178
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crysis said:
64 all the way. driver support is defiantly getting a lot better now, and you wouldn't want to feel obsolete with a 32.
Click to expand...

@ over 60 yrs of age that's always a battle. I know that the drivers for the 32Bit I got to work. I've tried different 64Bit drivers for 3 days now trying to get my BELKIN F5D8001 network card to connect to no success. I'll keep on trying
 
Cogman

Cogman

Lifer
Sep 19, 2000
10,286
145
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64, no reason to do 32 bit. Dosbox will be able to run most of the 16 bit programs you really care about.
 
Brovane

Brovane

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2001
6,392
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IksokChoy said:
@ over 60 yrs of age that's always a battle. I know that the drivers for the 32Bit I got to work. I've tried different 64Bit drivers for 3 days now trying to get my BELKIN F5D8001 network card to connect to no success. I'll keep on trying
Click to expand...

I run 64-bit. The only issue that I had was my old HP Laser Jet 1000 there was no 64-bit drivers for the printer. I think for the network card. Since it has been given you so much issue maybe go out and get another one and swap it in there since you have bashing your head in for 3-days and NIC are fairly cheap.
 
TJCS

TJCS

Senior member
Nov 3, 2009
861
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x64 drivers really had a chance to mature since it was first announced. If you are building a new machine and not using age-old equip, then you should definitely use x64. I had only one software that didn't work with my Windows 7 until I updated, and it was Diskeeper 2008. After updating to 2009, everything ran fine.
 
JackMDS

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
29,553
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As evrey thing else concerning computers the answer depends on what functionally you need, or plan to do.

Speed wise per-se there is No significant difference between Win 7 x32 to x64. The main advantage of x64 is the capacity to work with more memory.

Thus if you plan to Install Virtual system and run few Virtual computers you are better off with x64 because you can install and use more memory.

If you use special Heavy Duty Applications and you need to run them together while Multitasking (I mean really heavy not a browser and a word processor), then x64 is your choice.

Otherwise, it does not matter since x32 provides more flexibility drivers, and applications wise.
 
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IksokChoy

Member
Jun 6, 2004
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Brovane said:
I run 64-bit. The only issue that I had was my old HP Laser Jet 1000 there was no 64-bit drivers for the printer. I think for the network card. Since it has been given you so much issue maybe go out and get another one and swap it in there since you have bashing your head in for 3-days and NIC are fairly cheap.
Click to expand...

THat's the route I finally went. Even though my existing network card is only @ 6 weeks old, I upgraded to a newer one epecificly for Win 7 32 or 64 Bit. The Headaches aren't worth it. Thanks
 
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