Can/Should I install 64-bit?

[Epislen]

I have an HP Probook 650 G1 which I've had for almost two years now. In the past, I've had to replace a defective hard drive and reinstall windows 32-bit on it. More information on that in this thread I posted when I was to replace the HDD (I doubt it's relevant anyways): http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3024643/handle-defective-hard-drive.html
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I've had installation CDs for both 64-bit and 32-bit OS, but I now realize that I made the unfortunate decision to install 32-bit when I replaced my HDD. I think my laptop was also working on a 32-bit OS before I replaced the HDD so I had the impression that 64-bit was not viable for my laptop.

So upon discovery of my laptop's capability to run 64-bit, should I upgrade to it? I have some questions:

-What are the pros/cons of upgrading to 64-bit? I'd like to have better fps in games, run better programs (previously incompatible with 32-bit), and get the most out of this $1.2k laptop.
-What will I lose if I decide to install 64-bit? I assume I'd lose all my programs/files and I have the appropriate means to back them up if necessary.
-When my laptop tells me that it is 64-bit capable, what does that mean - are there any risks associated with installing 64-bit now?

Here is a picture of the installation CDs: https://imgur.com/a/T51mF
I have screenshots of my Laptop Specs attached.
Here is another page of specs from HP's own website: http://goo.gl/BjCgFf

Any help, tips, or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[androbourne]

Short answer. Yes upgrade.

x64 allow for more memory system use. (back in the day x32 wouldn't allow for more then 4GB of memory to be used, even if you over installed memory).

Also A LOT of applications are being developed in x64. That means better performance, multi-threading, and gaming.

So there is no reason to remain on x32 and only every reason to upgrade to x64.

 

[Paul NZ]

Just make sure there are 64 bit drivers. You cant install 32 bit drivers

 

[USAFRet]

Yes you should.
Be sure that you understand the change from 32bot to 64bit is a Full wipe and reinstall. Everything on that drive will be gone.

 

[Epislen]

Just make sure there are 64 bit drivers. You cant install 32 bit drivers

How do I make sure of that?

 

[Paul NZ]

Go to the HP site and see if there are 64 bit drivers for it

And if you use a printer, and / or anything else (that needs a driver), all of them will have to have 64 bit drivers as well

 

[Major_Trouble]

Do you need to run any old 16bit software? If you do going to 64bit will stop it from working.

 

[velocityg4]

Just make sure there are 64 bit drivers. You cant install 32 bit drivers

How do I make sure of that?

It has 64 bit drivers. If this was a 12 year old computer you might want to check.

It uses a 4th generation Core i series CPU. It is 64bit. I can't imagine why they would bother to include a 32 bit installation option.

 

[Epislen]

Do you need to run any old 16bit software?

Nope.

 

[Epislen]

Just make sure there are 64 bit drivers. You cant install 32 bit drivers

How do I make sure of that?

It has 64 bit drivers. If this was a 12 year old computer you might want to check.

It uses a 4th generation Core i series CPU. It is 64bit. I can't imagine why they would bother to include a 32 bit installation option.

Thank you.