Running Windows 7 64-bit w/ 2GB DDR2... good or bad idea?

[bupkus]

I just gave a friend a desktop pc with an Athlon 64 X2, 939 socket and 2GB DDR memory.
Should he buy the 64-bit version of Windows 7 for some possible future pc or just by the 32-bit version?
I built his last pc with a northwood P4 back in 2003.,

I built this gift with a fresh but as yet unactivated copy of Vista Business 32-bit. Of course I would like him to make his choice before he activates Vista but I'm unsure of my recommendation to go for W7.

The problem is he can't seem to adapt to change of any kind. He even voiced his intention to not upgrade the OS again until he's 65. Right now he's about 40 and I'm figuring he should jump to W7 as its GUI, atleast to me, is easier and more intuitive. For a guy like him I'm thinking Vista may be a mistake. In fact I'm certain of it.

This is not to demean Vista as it is directed at my friend. He wants all his desktop icons exactly as before.

Have you ever tried to help someone like this upgrade their OS?
What was your experience like?

 

[phoenix79]

I'm running it fine on my machine with 2GB of DDR2 and a Phenom 9950. I ran the RC since it came out, then installed retail once the RC expired.

 

[JackMDS]

The issue is Not 2GB of memory.

Win 7 x64 would work a little better than Win 7 x32 when both have 2GB of memory.

The issue is that given the fact that x64 is Not yet the mainstream OS of End-Users there is a probability that some applications would Not work on x64, or will need special configuration.

If a person knows nothing about issues like the one that we discuss here, he is better using x32.

If the person knows nothing but would just use whatever you give him without adding, installing, or configuring major applications, then make sure that everything works and install x64.

 

[SanDiegoPC]

If his current build is 7 years old though, I tend to think he keeps his machines ;-) a while. That being said, Jack is correct about compatibility .... but if you look to the future, more and more applications are going to be 64-bit and also are going to need more than 2G of RAM.

32-bit applications install in a different folder than 64-bit ones, yet every one of them seems to install just fine in my computer. I haven't had anything but Pinnacle video editor come up telling me it's a problem.

Jack is a Microsoft MVP so he certainly is exposed to a lot more technical data than I am. But there you have my point of view, from daily user and one who works on computers for a living.

 

[tcsenter]

Bigger issue may be whether an older Socket 939 board will have issues with Windows 7 64-bit. Many of them haven't received a BIOS update in so long, they have really dated option ROM versions and other potential issues with 64-bit (or just a much newer OS like Win7).

 

[bupkus]

Bigger issue may be whether an older Socket 939 board will have issues with Windows 7 64-bit. Many of them haven't received a BIOS update in so long, they have really dated option ROM versions and other potential issues with 64-bit (or just a much newer OS like Win7).

Good point.
I've decided in favor of a previous poster that since it's only 2GB of ram why encourage problems with less mature driver support. 64-bit may be useful if the owner were to upgrade to 4GB of ram but that just isn't gonna happen.

 

[JackMDS]

I have two 939 computers x2 4400, 2 GB RAM, Abit Mobo, runs all version of Windows 7 with No problems.

On the other hand if an application has problem with x64 OS it does not matter which hardware it is On.

 

[SunSamurai]

You will rarely find an application not able to run just fine in 764.

 

[phoenix79]

Also don't forget the keys are interchangeable, if you install 64-bit and find that it doesn't work, then you just have to install the 32-bit version and use the same key and you're fine.

 

[Mem]

I have two 939 computers x2 4400, 2 GB RAM, Abit Mobo, runs all version of Windows 7 with No problems.

On the other hand if an application has problem with x64 OS it does not matter which hardware it is On.

That's very true,however pretty easy to find out if the application in question will run on x64 OS or not,then you normally have alternatives or newer version from various companies that do run fine on x64 OS .

The main thing is drivers on x64 OS,if you have 64 bit drivers and know what software you are using then its normally very easy to find out if 64 bit OS is fine for you,personally I'm never going back to 32 bit OS.

I did have one very old paint software that would not run on x64 but that was fixed easily with a newer version that did run fine on Vista/Win7 x64 and cost me under a tenner so was not expensive,I forgot to meantion all that compatible freeware software out there for x64 OS too.

 

[JackMDS]

I am trying Not to box myself and others to the Myopic world of Enthusiasts.

There are many people who use their computer for serious work and their livelihood depends on it.

Many of them run special professional applications that none of us ever heard of.

So in general, it is important to make sure that people know that this issue has to be checked.

 

[MrEgo]

I'm running Windows 7 (32-bit) on an HP 6515b laptop, and it only has 1GB of memory. It runs fine, and even the aero theme works without any hiccups.