Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit?

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Krazyshank

New Member
Okay, I just installed 4 gigs of RAM into my computer (I had 2) and then I installed Windows 7 64-bit. The problem is, the operation system can only use 3.5 gigs of my ram because my video card has 512mb of ram and my computer only supports 4 gigs total. Meaning that when my memory is mapped, the 512mb of VRAM overwrites part of the normal RAM. SO now I am asking if I should stay with 64-bit or go back to 32-bit. (My 32-bit supported the 3.5 gigs as well). I'm asking this because people were pointing out that 64-bit software requires more memory and CPU in the first place making it slower compared to 32-bit if they have the same amount of ram. Please let me know which one I should use!
Thanks in advance!
 
I think you misunderstood. 64 bit allows you to install more ram, higher than 4gb. However, if your motherboard only supports 4gb then it really doesn't matter what OS you use. Are you using onboard video? That will take up some of your system memory.
 
Krazyshank said:
64-bit software requires more memory and CPU in the first place making it slower compared to 32-bit if they have the same amount of ram.
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64 bit processing is faster. But the processor needs to be 64bit capable. 7 x64 will run with 2gb of memory. It will use as much as your computing use requires, provided that amount is supported by your motherboard and is installed.
Check the link below to find out if your system is 64bit capable.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions
 
Okay let me rephrase me question and details.
I HAVE a 64-bit processor, OS, and everything else. I also have 4 gigs of ram. But my motherboard has a 32-bit bus so it only supports 4 gigs of RAM TOTAL (Including anything from the PCI slots) Since I have 4 gigs of my ddr2 on the motherboard AND 512mb of ddr3 on my graphics card, that is 4.5 gigs total and my comp supports 4, therefor, my VRAM addressing overwrites 512mb of my other RAM's addressing leaving 3.5 gigs of use to the OS and 512 to the Graphics card (the leftover 512 is "Hardware reserved")

I am asking, if a 32-bit and 64-bit OS has 3.5 gigs of ram total to use, which would be the best to use?

Oh and I also learned that a 32-bit OS can use a maximum of 2 gigs of ram for a single process. I think that might be a downfall for me since I do heavy gaming, and record games like minecraft and stuff.
 
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32 bit will see 3-1/2 gig. mine does. Im curious though. if you goto start, computer then right click properties does it say 64 bit operating system. and how much memory is it showing there.
 
tremmor said:
32 bit will see 3-1/2 gig. mine does. Im curious though. if you goto start, computer then right click properties does it say 64 bit operating system. and how much memory is it showing there.
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As i said....
I had Win7 32-bit, it said 4.00 installed and 3.5 usable, same now with 64-bit.
 
Krazyshank said:
Okay let me rephrase me question and details.
I HAVE a 64-bit processor, OS, and everything else. I also have 4 gigs of ram. But my motherboard has a 32-bit bus
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Tell me of this motherboard that has a 32bit bus but supports a 64bit processor,lol-make and model?

Krazyshank said:
As i said....
I had Win7 32-bit, it said 4.00 installed and 3.5 usable, same now with 64-bit.
Click to expand...

Are you using onboard video?
 
Krazyshank said:
Okay, I just installed 4 gigs of RAM into my computer (I had 2) and then I installed Windows 7 64-bit. The problem is, the operation system can only use 3.5 gigs of my ram because my video card has 512mb of ram and my computer only supports 4 gigs total. Meaning that when my memory is mapped, the 512mb of VRAM overwrites part of the normal RAM. SO now I am asking if I should stay with 64-bit or go back to 32-bit. (My 32-bit supported the 3.5 gigs as well). I'm asking this because people were pointing out that 64-bit software requires more memory and CPU in the first place making it slower compared to 32-bit if they have the same amount of ram. Please let me know which one I should use!
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

Depends on if you have shared vram or dedicated vram. If it's dedicated then yes, 512mb of your ram isn't mapped. If it's shared, that 512mb is mapped but it's being used as vram.

And the last part of what you said isn't true. 64bit does not require more ram or put more load on the cpu. Either you misunderstood someone, or they lied to you. So no, 64bit does not make anything slower at all. It's actually the other way around, 64bit is a little bit faster.

So to answer your question, if you have 512mb of dedicated ram you will see a benefit of a 64 bit OS, but if it's shared then you wont.
 
Motoxrdude said:
Depends on if you have shared vram or dedicated vram. If it's dedicated then yes, 512mb of your ram isn't mapped. If it's shared, that 512mb is mapped but it's being used as vram.

And the last part of what you said isn't true. 64bit does not require more ram or put more load on the cpu. Either you misunderstood someone, or they lied to you. So no, 64bit does not make anything slower at all. It's actually the other way around, 64bit is a little bit faster.

So to answer your question, if you have 512mb of dedicated ram you will see a benefit of a 64 bit OS, but if it's shared then you wont.
Click to expand...

Lol thakyou for being the only one to answer my question! And yes it is Dedicated RAM, my comp is a dell XPS 400 and I was told it has a 32-bit bus.
 
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