Win 7 RC with 2GB System RAM

[HopJokey]

What version of Win7 do you guys think I should install for a machine with 2GB of RAM, the x64 version or the x86 version? I've heard the x64 kernel is more "secure" and I believe I shouldn't run into any program/driver issues with the x64 version thus I am leaning towards using x64. BTW the processor is an E8400.

Thanks in advance.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: HopJokey
What version of Win7 do you guys think I should install for a machine with 2GB of RAM, the x64 version or the x86 version? I've heard the x64 kernel is more "secure" and I believe I shouldn't run into any program/driver issues with the x64 version thus I am leaning towards using x64. BTW the processor is an E8400.

Thanks in advance.

X64 works just fine on 2GB, is slightly more secure than 32 bit and will ensure you can use more RAM if you do decide to add more in the future.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Yeah, for most people with relatively modern hardware, there aren't any drawbacks to installing x64. However, you do get the benefit of being able to add/utilize greater than 3.5gigs of RAM without needing to do a clean reinstall.

 

[PhreePhly]

Originally posted by: HopJokey
What version of Win7 do you guys think I should install for a machine with 2GB of RAM, the x64 version or the x86 version? I've heard the x64 kernel is more "secure" and I believe I shouldn't run into any program/driver issues with the x64 version thus I am leaning towards using x64. BTW the processor is an E8400.

Thanks in advance.

Given that you are using a E8400 processor, I'm assuming you're on a desktop and you can expand you RAM in the future. In that case, I would go with x64. I haven't encountered any real issues running an x64 OS in terms of drivers, but I've had fairly new hardware. If you have an old printer or scanner, be sure to check if a 64 bit driver is available.

My understanding is that the performance of x64 is not as good as it can be on a 2 GB system due to some overhead in the VMM. Apparently the breakeven point is somewhere around 3 GB, but the performance hit will be almost negligible.

My old laptop had a 2 GB limit on RAM, so for that system, I stuck with x86. My new laptop caps at 4 GB (which I have now installed) and I am running X64.

PhreePhly

 

[bsobel]

My view: If you will NEVER upgrade memory, go with x86. If you will or might, go with x64 to save yourself the hassle of reinstalling later.

 

[Jeff7181]

Go with a 64-bit version. With 4 GB of RAM costing under $50, there's no reason not to get 4+ GB of RAM considering Vista and Windows 7 will make good use of it.

 

[Scotteq]

Originally posted by: bsobel
My view: If you will NEVER upgrade memory, go with x86. If you will or might, go with x64 to save yourself the hassle of reinstalling later.

This...

 

[KeypoX]

it seems everyone is assuming you are running RC as production and will not do fresh when it goes retail?

I would go with 64 to see if you have issues, so you can decide when win 7 comes out.

 

[RebateMonger]

There's really no reason to choose W7 x32 over x64. Most devices that have drivers for Vista/W7 have both x32 and x64 drivers available.

 

[PhreePhly]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
There's really no reason to choose W7 x32 over x64. Most devices that have drivers for Vista/W7 have both x32 and x64 drivers available.

I'm not sure I agree. If you only have 2 GB of RAM and don't plan on increasing that or can't due to hardware constraints, x86 is more efficient.

PhreePhly

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: PhreePhly

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
There's really no reason to choose W7 x32 over x64. Most devices that have drivers for Vista/W7 have both x32 and x64 drivers available.

I'm not sure I agree. If you only have 2 GB of RAM and don't plan on increasing that or can't due to hardware constraints, x86 is more efficient.

PhreePhly

I don't even think these are valid reasons. Even if you have a computer that's only capable of housing 2 GB of RAM, if you buy a retail version the license can be transferred to another PC that could use more than 2 GB of RAM without spending another $100 on the OS.

It might be more efficient when you're talking about memory usage, but I think the benefit of the extra GPR's when running in 64-bit mode might offset that.

The only reason I can think of NOT to buy a 64-bit version of Vista or 7 is if your processor is not a 64-bit processor... in which case you'd be better off spending $400 on a new computer anyway because that would be a fairly old computer.

 

[masterbm]

I would go with 64bit version their is ram deference but it very little and from my overall testing their was .05% slower usingg 32 bit to 64 bit. However the only that was ntoice boot times were about 3 sec slow in 32 bit mode of windows 7.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
I don't even think these are valid reasons. Even if you have a computer that's only capable of housing 2 GB of RAM, if you buy a retail version the license can be transferred to another PC that could use more than 2 GB of RAM without spending another $100 on the OS.

Windows isn't licensed on the bitness - whatever you get is dual-licensed for 32bit and 64bit operation, although Microsoft will only provide 64bit disks (if you don't have one already) for retail customers.

The only consideration should be what bsobel said: if he's ever going to add more RAM, go x64, otherwise save the memory consumption and use x86.

 

[HopJokey]

Cool thanks everyone. I went with the x64 version and things are running good. Once RTM hits the market I'll probably upgrade the RAM to atleast 4GB and install the x64 version.