Log in

View Full Version : To go 64-bit or not to go 64-bit


Hooch Tan
10-24-2009, 09:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/should_you_upgrade_64bit_windows_7' target='_blank'>http://www.maximumpc.com/article/fe...64bit_windows_7</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"What&rsquo;s that you say? &ldquo;Shouldn&rsquo;t everyone with a 64-bit capable CPU upgrade to 64-bit Windows?&rdquo; Well, not quite. There are some major advantages to a 64-bit OS, but there are drawbacks to consider as well. In this article, we&rsquo;ll describe the pros and cons of 64-bit Windows, so when the time comes to upgrade you&rsquo;ll know which version is right for you."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1256409698.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>One of the decisions you'll face when upgrading or installing a new Windows based computer is whether to use the 32-bit or 64-bit&nbsp; version.&nbsp; The most obvious factor in determining your choice is how much memory your system has.&nbsp; If it is 3.5GB or less, 32-bit Windows should be fine.&nbsp; If you're planning on going 4GB or above, the 64-bit version of Windows is pretty much your only choice if you want to take advantage of the extra memory.&nbsp; Still, the choice is not always so clear cut, especially if you have less than 4GB of RAM.&nbsp; Maximum PC has a quick article describing some other considerations, such as driver support and software compatibility.&nbsp; Check it out if you're stuck making the decision.</p>