Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

64 bit or 32 bit?

Oct 26, 2009 4:30AM PDT

I am about to buy a new Windows 7 computer. I have to decide whether I want a 64 bit or 32 bit o/s. I will run Office, Photoshop and some not very demanding games along with Media Player. What is the difference? I gather that 64 bit will run faster and according to a post on this Forum dated August 2007 there will be endless problems with drivers. Is that still the case? Any advice would be appreciated.

Judesman.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
I would
Oct 31, 2009 1:37PM PDT

I would, since you don't have that much to loose, and the driver model didn't change between Vista and Win7.

You can also try and identify the manufacturer of every key bit of hardware in the system, and see if maybe they have Win7 drivers. At least worth a shot.

- Collapse -
Here's another problem: Win 7 64 bit and IE8 and Flashplayer
Oct 31, 2009 6:15PM PDT

I have been trawling the interweb and it seems that some are having big problems with Win 7, IE 8 not accepting Flashplayer because there is no 64 bit version. I gather that Win 7 comes with a 32 bit IE 8 but there still seem to be lots of problems out there including links in emails being directed to IE 8 64 bit although the 32 bit is the default. I am begining to wonder if it is worth all the hastle; perhaps it would be better to go for Win 7 32 bit. I don't think I'm ready for a 64 bit O/S I just want a quiet life!

Judesman.

- Collapse -
Not a problem really
Nov 1, 2009 1:06AM PDT

Not a problem really, because you shouldn't be using Internet Explorer in the first place. Well, unless you enjoy the constant threat of malware, and never knowing when that one wrong click may come that will loose the hounds of h3ll onto your system.

Just use another browser... Any other browser... And it'll be fine. Options include Firefox, Seamonkey, Safari, Opera, and Chrome. All of which are free, and none of which have the malware problems IE does. Not using IE alone is the cornerstone of the advice I tend to give people for a largely problem free computing existence. That one thing alone solves probably 50-60% of people's problems.

You also NEVER want to click on links in emails, because they could be booby trapped. You should copy and paste them into the browser's address bar, check to make sure that it matches what you saw in the email, and only then tell the browser to load it. That's regardless of browser, because most phishing scams rely more on user stupidity than browser exploits.

Finally, there is a 64-bit Flash in the works, just no real ETA on it's release. I know there's a beta version of it for Linux already out. I think right now Adobe is focused on Flash 10.1 for mobile devices, and then they'll get back to their 64-bit efforts.

- Collapse -
(NT) Thanks for that, Jimmy.
Nov 1, 2009 1:46AM PDT
- Collapse -
Yes
Nov 1, 2009 12:16AM PDT

Always try the Vista x64 drivers.

- Collapse -
More confusion
Oct 31, 2009 7:43PM PDT

When I go to device manager -> computer it says "ACPI x86-based PC"
Now what does this mean?

- Collapse -
Re: ACPI x86-based PC
Oct 31, 2009 8:00PM PDT
- Collapse -
Ofcourse..
Oct 31, 2009 8:06PM PDT

I confused it thinking that its a machine with 32 bit processor.

- Collapse -
FINALLY DID IT!
Nov 1, 2009 1:07AM PDT

Just installed Windows 7 Ultimate x64. Things are looking pretty nice at the moment. Will keep posted on issues if any.

- Collapse -
64 or 32 bit?
Nov 2, 2009 1:17AM PST

having had a hp with a 64 bit os i would advise you to go with the 32 bitos
the 64bit requires you to search for drivers for nearly any programm u want to use.i also have windows7 on hp and still went to 32 os
theere are just not the drivers available for 64 bit os
this is a down th line systen,like about 5 years down the line
right now it is a waste of time

- Collapse -
That is absolutely false
Nov 2, 2009 1:24AM PST

That is absolutely false. I've been using a 64-bit Windows for about the last year and a half with no problems whatsoever.

Please refrain from spreading complete falsehoods and misinformation.

- Collapse -
that is absolutely false
Nov 2, 2009 10:47PM PST

dont tell others that their response are false and mislleading.you yourself said no problems untill now,you also dont operate every computer on the planet,so you would not know

- Collapse -
Very true
Nov 3, 2009 12:59AM PST

Very true, but your statements are still false none the less.

You seem to have a misunderstanding about what drivers are for one. You say you need a 64-bit driver to run every program, and that is absolutely false. Drivers are for facilitating communication between the operating system and a specific bit of hardware.

You state that there aren't 64-bit drivers available right now, but I'm using 3 systems with Win7 x64, and the majority of new systems sold these days (with the exception of netbooks) are selling with a 64-bit OS. So once again, your statement has absolutely no merit.

Those are about the only two claims you make, and both of them are false, so I don't really see how one can reach any other conclusion. I haven't even touched on your spelling and grammar skills which do nothing to help lend credibility to anything you say.

If you want to make a statement that IN YOUR OPINION it's not worth going with a 64-bit OS right now, that's all well and good. But when you make factual statements that are false, I will point it out for everyone to see.

- Collapse -
Seems to be false.
Nov 2, 2009 1:33AM PST

I went with Vista 64 recently and now am on 64 bit 7 Pro today.

While I did have to update an install procedure for an embedded developer's system that's par for the course. Now that I'm here I can't advise people to go back to 32 bit if they can avoid it.
Bob

- Collapse -
Completely false
Nov 2, 2009 4:10PM PST

Well..things have turned out pretty well for me. As my Dell M1730 doesnt support Windows 7 (according to dell, which is insane) I went to the dell support site and went to the driver's section. In the option I didnt get Win 7 so I downloaded all the Vista x64 drivers and installed them. Not a single issue till now. Win 7 running really well and I am really happy with my upgrade. Win 7 is worth the hassles. Anyway I found all the drivers from the dell site itself. Only thing I had to look for was the Logitech auxiliary display which wasnt even on the Logitech site, so downloaded the G15 gaming keyboard driver instead. Works sweetly. No issues apart from that.

- Collapse -
The debate continues......
Nov 2, 2009 9:07PM PST

I appreciate all this input. I am buying a Dell from a local Dell Partner so I can actually discuss requirements with someone face to face and not over the phone. I am not committed yet but the Dell Partner is trying to persuade me to go for 64 bit.

Thanks for all your comments.

Judesman.

- Collapse -
Topic cleaned a little.
Nov 3, 2009 3:04AM PST

Name calling isn't allowed. If that happens again, this discussion gets a lock.

- Collapse -
32-bit or 64-bit
Nov 18, 2009 7:56AM PST
- Collapse -
Thank you very much for that, Tara.......
Nov 18, 2009 4:17PM PST

After much research I have ordered a Dell with Windows 7 64 Bit. I am lucky because we have a Dell Partner in my town and that means I get all the support locally. I have been able to look at the computers and compare monitors side by side up and running. I found the Dell helpline in India most unhelpful and could not understand what some of them were saying. I phoned the Dell UK telephone number at one point but was told that the staff in this country do not speak to the public. I asked what they do and I was told they are in marketing!

Thanks for you input.

Judesman.