windows 8.1 32bit to 64bit

[Redzonezzz]

Hey I just built my first computer, and I rain in a snag. Here are my specs:

G.SKILL Sniper 8gb ddr3 ram
Western Digital Blue 1tb hd
AZZA Hurrican 2000R case
Asrock fatal1ty z97 professional
SeaSonic 620w power
Intel i7-4790k
Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce gtx 970

So here the problem, I installed Windows 8.1 pro 32 bit version. And now my computer is telling me that it can only use 3.22gb of ram.
So should I look for a 64bit version of windows? Configure the computer to use all 8gb of ram? Or what? I'm a bit confused......

 

[laviniuc]

you can install it again, so you'll get 32+32 = 64 bits 😀

edit: joke aside, no, there's no way to convert it. you need to reinstall it and chose the 64 bits version to use the whole 8gb of ram. otherwise it's limited to 4gb (- reserved for hardware)

 

[Redzonezzz]

Exactly how do I do that? I have a USB with the install files and 1 windows 8.1 code?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Windows 64 bit will allow more RAM usaged.

 

[laviniuc]

Exactly how do I do that? I have a USB with the install files and 1 windows 8.1 code?

in the install options there should be a list of versions to chose from (some will be x86 = 32bits) and some are 64bits. pick a 64 bits one but do save your personal data first it will delete everything on the partition where you install.

 

[Redzonezzz]

Exactly how do I do that? I have a USB with the install files and 1 windows 8.1 code?

in the install options there should be a list of versions to chose from (some will be x86 = 32bits) and some are 64bits. pick a 64 bits one but do save your personal data first it will delete everything on the partition where you install.

do you where, or what steps I need to do to change it? will it work with the same code I have to install it? cause I have 50gb worth of games already installed......

 

[ex_bubblehead]

You'll have to reinstall all applications and restore data from backups. There is no upgrade path between 32-bit and 64-bit, only a clean installation.

 

[laviniuc]

i think you can use the same code, yes. somewhere on the install steps, dont remember exactly where. if you have the games already installed... that's tricky, means you'll have to reinstall them after.

i suggest you use it a bit longer and reinstall it when you find a game that needs more then the 4gb of ram you currently use. it's a waste to not use all 8gb but you should be fine for a while.

 

[Redzonezzz]

thanks, will try it out later, I really didn't install anything other then some games just yet. its a bummer that my download speed is slaw as it is! lol

another thought, are 32bit games able to run in 64bit? or is that a no.....?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Yes.

 

[laviniuc]

anything that runs on 32 bits will run on 64 bits (just better since it can use more ram). just checked and apparently the 64 version of windows may need a different code. maybe best to contact microsoft and see if you can get a nice discount on an upgrade from 32 to 64... the price difference shouldn't be too big.

 

[Redzonezzz]

ok thanks, i'll be changing my computer later! thanks again!