Windows 7 32bit run OK on 2gb ram?

Pneumothorax

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2002
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I've got an older mini that's got a core 2 duo 2.0ghz and it unfortunately limited to only 2 gb (already tried 4gb and didn't boot). I currently have winxp running in bootcamp, I have a family pack win7 and I'm debating if it work ok with only 2gb of ram. I'd rather not waste my time doing an install if it won't work well, but as it's currently hooked up to my family room 50" lcd I'd like to try it. Thanks in advance.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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Works very well with 2GB.
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JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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I have a Toshiba 1.8GHz laptop running Win 7 with 512MB.

This laptop can not take more then 512MB and was originally running WinXP Home.

I wanted to try on it Win7 Ultimate* (the RC1 release is valid until April-June 2010).

Win 7 is running slower on this laptop than Win XP Home.

Slower, but for surfing email and some word processing and even watching video files it is functional, and tolerable.

I like the look of Win 7 better than the "ancient" Win XP, so I left Win 7 on it cause my Motto in computing is Functionality over Social Desirability.**

* Eventually I would try Win 7 Starter on it.

**Social desirability bias is a term used in scientific research to describe the tendency of respondents to reply in a manner that will be viewed favorably by others.
 

BW86

Lifer
Jul 20, 2004
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I've been running win7 for a few months with 2gigs. its been running great.
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
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Let's hope it runs fine on my wife's laptop with only 1GB RAM. Hopefully a new laptop will be in the budget next year, but I think it's going to have to come after the new riding lawn mower :)
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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Let's hope it runs fine on my wife's laptop with only 1GB RAM. Hopefully a new laptop will be in the budget next year, but I think it's going to have to come after the new riding lawn mower :)

As long as the laptop is not using Virtual Computers, and or, Multitasking heavy Games + other type of heavy tasks, 1GB Win 7 would work the same to a similar Win XP configuration.
 
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aceO07

Diamond Member
Nov 6, 2000
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Run fine on my laptop with 3GB RAM and c2d 1.6ghz.

edit: drat. Sorry, I forgot my laptop had 3GB..
 

MrPickins

Diamond Member
May 24, 2003
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I'm running Windows 7 x64 with 1.5 GB of ram, and it performs HTPC duties admirably.

32 bit should be no problem with 2 GB.
 

onza

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Sep 21, 2000
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What I noticed while running 1gig of ram on win 7 64bit was on average it was using around 50-60% of ram. Once I fired up a program it would spike to 85% or so. Two gigs is the sweet spot and probably 3-4gigs is more suited for the power user.
 

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
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32 bit 7 works just fine w/2GB. And, that includes running the XP Mode VM for a couple of legacy apps.
 

sonoma1993

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
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my dell laptop has a 2GB of ram and intel Pentium M 1.73GHz processor and it runs Windows 7 professional edition just fine for me.