Windows 7 64bit vs 32bit

[johnshaw1917]

I am currently running a 32 bit version of Windows XP Home Edition on a computer, that is less than a year old. I am considering upgrading to Windows 7 Professional and I was wondering if there was any reason I couldn't install the 64 bit version, rather than the 32 bit, like maybe with my system bios, or hardware. I'd appreciate any comments.

Thanks, John

[Anakey]

you will have to do a full clean instalation of windows 7 as you are going from xp so as long as the processor can support 64 bit then you can buy the 64 bit os and just do a clean install

[johnshaw1917]

you will have to do a full clean instalation of windows 7 as you are going from xp so as long as the processor can support 64 bit then you can buy the 64 bit os and just do a clean install

I am running the Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q6700 CPU @ 2.66 ghz, but I'm not sure if it handles 64 bit, or not.

John

[skism]

I am running the Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q6700 CPU @ 2.66 ghz, but I'm not sure if it handles 64 bit, or not.

yep it's 64bit!
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...ifications.htm

[johnshaw1917]

yep it's 64bit!
http://www.intel.com/products/proces...ifications.htm

Thanks skism! I figured that would be the case, but its nice to have it confirmed.

John

[brayden]

skism, that doesn't help that page, there are always different versions of each processor manifactured, the best way to guess is, was your home edition installs by a manufacturer? and how much ram do you have already?

[NinjaRicer]

The processor is indefinitely 64-bit. All Core 2 architecture processors are 64-bit. Well, the differences between the two versions of the OS are the way it runs. 64-bit is a bit faster, and it also uses more than 3 gigabytes or RAM. However, there are also cons to running 64-bit systems. 32-bit systems are much more popular, therefore more software is developed for 32-bit systems. Some developers do not make native 64-bit versions of their software, but Windows 7 can run 32-bit programs emulated. These will have the same performance, but it would be a bit better to find 64-bit versions of your program.

[johnshaw1917]

skism, that doesn't help that page, there are always different versions of each processor manifactured, the best way to guess is, was your home edition installs by a manufacturer? and how much ram do you have already?

I installed the Windows XP OEM software myself and I currently have 4 gig's of RAM installed. I also ran an identification scan on the processor and it does support the 64 bit architecture.

The processor is indefinitely 64-bit. All Core 2 architecture processors are 64-bit. Well, the differences between the two versions of the OS are the way it runs. 64-bit is a bit faster, and it also uses more than 3 gigabytes or RAM. However, there are also cons to running 64-bit systems. 32-bit systems are much more popular, and therefore more software is developed for 32-bit systems. Some developers do not make native 64-bit versions of their software, but Windows 7 can run 32-bit programs emulated. These will have the same performance, but it would be a bit better to find 64-bit versions of your program.

Thanks! That is very helpful.

[hellnoire]

By that logic, would a Core 2 Duo be 64 bit then? Reason being is that my laptop has that in it... and I would rather have the best performance....

[johnshaw1917]

By that logic, would a Core 2 Duo be 64 bit then? Reason being is that my laptop has that in it... and I would rather have the best performance....

It looks like it to me.

http://www.intel.com/products/proces...ifications.htm