32 or 64 bit windows in 1 gb system

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

I just received my copy of windows 7 ultimate. It has both 32 and 64 bit versions included. My processor is 64 bit but has been running spectacularly on xp 32 bit.

My system is a dual core Athlon, with 1 gb of ram. As long as I stay below 4 gb, is there any disadvantage or advantage to either one? There must be some difference, maybe even a small disadvantage to the 64 bit version in terms of speed. Help. I know that to address over 4 gb, a 64 bit data pathis required but I don't see a need for anywhere near that right now.

Ken

 

[Aastii]

the memory thing really is the only reason to choose 64 bit over 32. As you only have 1GB of memory, I would stick to 32 bit, and if you upgrdae to 4GB or more in the future, then reinstall with 64 bit

=EDIT=

Oh, and if you will ever be installing old, and I mean very old software (1995 or before) then you will be having problems on a 64bit OS as they will most probably have 16 bit installers, which won't work on x64 windows, but will work on x86