32bit, 64bit,

[technobob_21]

Hello, I am currently running win7 32bit. Although my pc reports that it is 64bit capable what would i need to do to enable this capability? Spec is Windows 7 2G ram, 3.ghz core 2 pentium, 2 IDE hardrives 1 SATA hard drive & 1 external backup drive. In the current economic climate, if this will save me having to splash out for a newer bells and whistles 64 bit pc then great.
Thanks....CW

 

[The_Prophecy]

Only thing you would need to do is buy a 64 bit copy of Windows 7. There is no direct upgrade path so you would have t backup your data, wipe the system out and install from scratch. Unless you're planning to upgrade to 4GB or more of ram though, it's not really worth it.

 

[sminlal]

Prophecy is absolutely right - there's no benefit to using the 64-bit version of Windows 7 unless you have 4GB or more of RAM. With only 2GB the 32-bit version will work just as well.

 

[henydiah]

your RAM 2Gb worth for 32bit (X86) max 3.75GB, if install win7 64bit very poor of RAM, your RAM work too Hard,

if u want performance & Great try OC! look in http://www.tomshardware.com/forum

 

[verbalizer]

prophecy +2..

 

[Kewlx25]

You don't need to buy a copy of Win-64, but you do need to get a hold of a 64bit disc. Retail Win7 comes with both discs, but OEM only includes one or the other. But your Win7 key is good for either.

 

[western]

I had similar question as the OP, does it matter which 64bit OS you buy to

get over 4mg of ram?? I. E. Win7 Home 64 or Win7 pro 64??

 

[sminlal]

The edition (Home vs. Pro) doesn't matter - either one will be able to take advantage of 4GB or more of RAM as long as you use the respective 64-bit version.

 

[western]

Thanks for the clarification sminlal

 

[verbalizer]

win7 pro and ultimate are the only two that offer XP Mode..

 

[western]

malmental ,

thanks for pointing that out since I have quite a few XP programs

 

[verbalizer]

i figured that when reading...
no problem.

my take on RAM -
ideal configuration currently would be to have 4GB(2x2GB) in dual channel configuration.
depending on video card with 32-bit you can have 2.75GB to 3.25GB available.
the same 4GB(2x2GB) will also be ideal for 64-bit.
the choice is yours depending on the usage you have for this unit.