Windows 7 - Ram

[lakshitharxx]

hi all, yesterday i added a new 2GB stick to my system.. Now i have total 4GB and windows shows only 3.25GB is Usable.. Then i got to know that have to use 64bit Os. Problem is what is the difference between 32bit & 64bit? Also I am using my computer for gaming.. so is it good to use 64bit?

 

[yyk71200]

Yes. 64-bit is the way to go. It supports most of 32-bit software as well.

 

[lakshitharxx]

Is it good for gaming..? I mean isn't there any difference system requirements for gaming between 32bit & 64bit?

 

[yyk71200]

64 bit OS needs a little bit more RAM and disk space for OS itself. For example, win7 32 bit requires 1GB of RAM and 64bit 2GB. You meet these requirements with 4GB. Current games do not need more than that (in some cases more RAM may smooth things out though). You have a decent CPU. You should be fine.

 

[yyk71200]

About gaming requirements, sometimes they put on the box a little bit more RAM required for 64bit due to OS itself needing more RAM. Again, you should be fine with 4 Gigs.

 

[4745454b]

The biggest issue you'll probably have with win64 is trying to run older games that still use a 16bit installer. 32bit supports 16 and 32 bit installers, 64bit supports 32 and 64 bit installers. (the little .exe thing.) If you have a lot of older games then you might want to stick to 32bit. And I'm sorry, I don't know how "old" old is.

 

[Bacterius]

The biggest issue you'll probably have with win64 is trying to run older games that still use a 16bit installer. 32bit supports 16 and 32 bit installers, 64bit supports 32 and 64 bit installers. (the little .exe thing.) If you have a lot of older games then you might want to stick to 32bit. And I'm sorry, I don't know how "old" old is.

Dosbox gets the job done for 16-bit installers. Go for 64-bit, it can do 32-bit too and honestly it's the way to go now.

 

[4745454b]

I would rather go the route I'm planning. Install and use win7 for most things. If you find something that won't work, go back into your XP build and do it there. Dual booting can be a PITA, but I tend to find it works better then trying to use an emulator.

 

[Jonathern]

If you take into account on the amount of RAM you have, its in essence no difference between 32bit and 64bit as you will be left with roughly the same, Depending on the games you play its probably more suitable to use 32 BIT, I recommend atleast 6 GB RAM for 64bit

 

[Herr_Koos]

hi all, yesterday i added a new 2GB stick to my system.. Now i have total 4GB and windows shows only 3.25GB is Usable.. Then i got to know that have to use 64bit Os. Problem is what is the difference between 32bit & 64bit? Also I am using my computer for gaming.. so is it good to use 64bit?

64bit is definitely the better choice. All your 32bit apps and games will work just fine.

Be aware though, that switching to 64bit will require a format and re-install. I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet so I just want to make it clear.

 

[lakshitharxx]

Yes i have to format and re-install. But still not decided what to select.. I suppose to play new games. Anybody know how many amount of ram needs for two OSs for itself??

 

[yyk71200]

Yes i have to format and re-install. But still not decided what to select.. I suppose to play new games. Anybody know how many amount of ram needs for two OSs for itself??

First of all, you can use only one OS at a time. Therefore, you just have to look at the most RAM hungry OS, that is 64 bit. As I said before, 2GB minimum for 64 bit and with 4GB you are fine for gaming. Install both and use one at a time. Install the older one first, that is XP if you are still using it.

 

[threeboy]

Valve supports 64-bit in Half-Life 2 and all the source engine games I think.

 

[lakshitharxx]

I think it is good to install 64bit..

 

[lakshitharxx]

Best answer selected by lakshitharxx.