Which Windows 7 version to buy? Gaming PC 64 or 32 bit?

[kobe24life]

Here are my computer specs.



CPU - Intel i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3 GHz (3.7 w/TB) Quad-Core
http://goo.gl/n1LpW -

Motherboard - MSI P67A-GD55 (B3) LGA 1155
http://goo.gl/p3Pz4 -

RAM - G.Skill Ripjaws X 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 @ 1333 MHz CL9
http://goo.gl/JggWz -

Video Card - XFX Radeon HD 6950 ZNFC
http://goo.gl/lJqDK -

Storage - Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB @ 7200 RPM
http://goo.gl/VCpcK -

Optical Drive - Asus DRW-24B1ST 24X DVD Burner
http://goo.gl/l6h8b -

PSU - XFX PRO750W XXX Edition Semi-Modular
http://goo.gl/A1F4U -

Will 32 bit recognize everything? Should I go Home? Basic? Ultimate?

 

[sadams04]

Win7 64-bit Home Premium ($100).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_oem-_-32-116-986-_-Product

 

[genghiskron]

+1

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Add another vote for 64-bit Home Premium. IMO no new build should use a 32-bit OS, especially since it can't fully utilize 4GB RAM. Most of the early compatibility issues with 64-bit Windows were resolved a long time ago, unless you're trying to run ancient 16-bit software.

 

[Wangta]

Is Windows 7 Home Premium stable? I have nightmares dating back to my experience with Windows Vista Home....what a piece of crap that was.

 

[sadams04]

Is Windows 7 Home Premium stable? I have nightmares dating back to my experience with Windows Vista Home....what a piece of crap that was.

Yes. Very much an improvement over Vista... If you KNOW you will be running ancient 32-bit programs you should consider Win7 Pro as it can run programs in "Windows XP mode", but this is a non-issue for most all users.

 

[Wangta]

Yes. Very much an improvement over Vista... If you KNOW you will be running ancient 32-bit programs you should consider Win7 Pro as it can run programs in "Windows XP mode", but this is a non-issue for most all users.

Thanks. So does this imply that Windows 7 Home Premium will not run older 32-bit based programs?

 

[sadams04]

Thanks. So does this imply that Windows 7 Home Premium will not run older 32-bit based programs?

Not at all. Most will run just fine.

More info on XP Mode (note the Notes)=> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7