I am planning to get Windows 7 sometime within the next month or so.. This is a big thing for me, seems I am still on the antiquated Windows XP.

I do have a processor compatible with 64 bit computing.

So what are the advantages of going with a 64 bit OS?

Is there any disadvantages?

Thankyou!

When I changed from Win XP Pro 32-bit to Windows 7, I installed the 32-bit version to ensure compatibility with my zillions of older software and hardware.
It probably suits my present 2005 Tower Computer system better!
If you have a new computer, and new software and hardware, and lots of memory, the 64-bit version may be better for you in the future.

Paul....with lots of old stuff!... ;D...!

Most of my present software, hardware, and drivers, will only work on Win 7 32-bit version.

Fozzer wrote on Nov 15^th, 2012 at 12:21pm:

When I changed from Win XP Pro 32-bit to Windows 7, I installed the 32-bit version to ensure compatibility with my zillions of older software and hardware. It probably suits my present 2005 Tower Computer system better! If you have a new computer, and new software and hardware, and lots of memory, the 64-bit version may be better for you in the future. Paul....with lots of old stuff!... ;D...! Most of my present software, hardware, and drivers, will only work on Win 7 32-bit version.

I am planning to install windows 7 with a clean install, on a fully formatted drive... So I will be starting off with all new drivers.. (I will have them pre-downloaded on a flash drive prior to reformat)

So all in all, that shouldn't be a problem...

I am more worried about actual software problems.. I don't want it to limit my games library, because I do play a lot of old games (like flight simulator 98 old)

examples are Close Combat, Hunter Hunted, a few games made by Janes Combat Simulations, Armored Fist 3, and well.. you get the point...

So I don't want to loose the ability to play games like those...


But I am also wondering about RAM compatibility issues. Because I heard somewhere that I couldn't use more then 4 gb of ram on a 32 bit OS... Which I am planning on upgrading to 8gb of ram in the future. So is that a factor?


last but not least... Performance.... Is a 64 bit OS any faster then a 32 bit system? Does it utilize multiple cores any better? Etc?

Thankyou very much I know I am very curious.. please bear with me... I just want to make sure I make the right decision because it is something I am probably going to have to live with for the next 5 years... So I want to make the right choice!  ;D ;D

THANKYOU!!!

I believe that the amount of RAM addressing is the big bottleneck in the 32 bit version.
There is a restriction to the total amount of memory addresses available with 32 bit, , which I think is just over 3GB.

I only have 2.5 GB of system memory installed, so I am OK with 32 bit.
My Win 7 32bit version runs my old 1990 games OK (FS '98/CFS2/FU II, etc,) with some of them running in Win '98/XP compatibility mode, but I do have problems with some drivers for old hardware.
When worst comes to worst, I have 2 HDD's; one running Win 7 32-bit, and the other Win XP Pro 32-bit for my REALLY old stuff!
I boot up either one as required!
(I have crates of old games!)

Paul...with a boot on the other foot!...

Most things will work. Windows 7 allows you to run programs in compatibility mode (ie 32 bit, etc).

As Fozzer stated 64 bit will allow more than 3.5-4GB of ram to be utilized.

I would definitely recommend going with the 64 bit if possible but it's really your call.

Windows & 64 bit is good. cause if u plan to do some work from which you want to get extra support then you can install Window 7 64 bit. It gives you extra bit color support.