QOTD: Are You Going 32 or 64-bit for Windows 7?

By Marcus Yam
published

If you have more 4 GB or more RAM, the answer should be clear to you already.

In times past, going with a 64-bit OS was a bit of an extravagance. Sure, you were on the cutting edge of things – ahead of the curve, even – but there were issues and compromises.

In many cases, going 64-bit didn't make sense unless you had piles of RAM. But now that systems are coming with more memory than a 32-bit OS can address, suddenly going with more bits makes more sense.

Some of you may already be running a 64-bit version of Windows (or some other OS), while other are still chugging along in 32-bit land with a portion of your 4 GB of RAM sitting unloved.

No matter the case, you're going to have to make a choice if and when you upgrade to Windows 7 – that that's which version of the OS you're going with. Thankfully, both 32- and 64-bit versions are included in the same package, so you won't have to commit one way or another until you pop the disc in the drive.

Being the tech savvy bunch that you are, we suspect that you've already made up your mind on 32- vs. 64-bit Windows 7. You might even be running that very version of the RC right not.

So, our QOTD is: Are You Going 32- or 64-bit for Windows 7?

Here's a little recap of the Windows 7 news from the week:

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
274 Comments Comment from the forums
  • fwaits
    64-bit, done and done... I'm using it in RC form right now and have had 0 issues with drivers, apps, games, whatever. 64-bit is the future, bring it on.
    Reply
  • warezme
    With 12GB of DDR3 RAM..., 32bit is not a choice.
    Reply
  • makotech222
    Using 64 bit almost-RTM version. never had too many problems with 64 bit.
    Reply
  • Wayoffbase
    I switched to 64 bit when I was using vista, not long after it launched. There was quite a bit I couldn't do at the time, but most of the driver makers seem to have caught up now. Using the windows 7RC in 64 bit now.
    Thankfully, both 32- and 64-bit versions are included in the same package, so you won't have to commit one way or another until you pop the disc in the drive.
    In my experience, this is only true on retail and upgrade versions, not OEM, unless they changed it for 7. I bought a 32 bit windows vista upgrade, and had to order the 64 bit media for 'free' + a $10 shipping and handling charge.
    Reply
  • Wayoffbase
    fwaits64-bit, done and done... I'm using it in RC form right now and have had 0 issues with drivers, apps, games, whatever. 64-bit is the future, bring it on.I am also of the opinion that 32 bit OS's are dead on the desktop. Netbook sales will keep them alive past their usefulness though :P
    Reply
  • tekk236
    64-bit absolutely. I'm not cutting my 8GB of DDR3 1600!
    Reply
  • NuclearShadow
    When (or if as I have Vista Ultimate and can't afford the ultimate version of windows 7 this time around) I decide to upgrade to Windows 7 I'll certainly stick with 64bit. The extra ram is well worth it when you can turn page filing off.
    Reply
  • geminireaper
    64 bit here. Have been running 64 bit since vista was released. Purchased a copy of vista 64bit ultimate. Will be buying win 7 64 too.
    Reply
  • 64bit Ubuntu :)
    Reply
  • IzzyCraft
    64-bit you have to encourage the change although not completely necessary as 32 bit seems to generally fill most people needs in system requirements and specs the extra push to 64 bit would fill everyone's needs although with a little extra cost of computing power but hey most problems with 64 bit anyways is finding the alternative or compatible 32 bit version to work on it anyways.
    Reply