Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Diqquad]

I have Intel core 2 duo @ 1.5 ghtz each on my laptop and 2 g's installed RAM.

I have windows 7 ulitmate pirate (is great, works like a dream and the w7 os is just the best yet bar far) running and it is a 32 bit operating system.

My laptop is 64 bit capable but am I right in saying I might as well stick with the 32 bit os as 64 is only neccesary if you have 4 g's of RAM or more?

Thanks

[wormholes101]

What is the most intensive work your computer does?

[Gaber]

The main advantage 64 bit has at this point is the ability to utilize more than 3.5gigs of ram. As you don't have that, I wouldn't bother. There're a few 64 bit versions of programs that run a bit faster, but it's nothing life changing.

[eamo]

64-bit is pretty standard these days......I don't think any major PC brand is still putting 32-bit OS on their machines as standard.

So, yeah. It would be a bit of a backward step to actually buy a 32-bit only OS.

RAM is quite cheap these days. $50 for 4GB is common. Why limit yourself?

[wesharris]

My new laptop came with 32-bit windows 7 mate.

[eamo]

[wesharris]

4 gigabtytes.
Although it does show windows as using all 4.
So I'm a bit confused about that myself.

[eamo]

Are you sure you have 32-bit Windows??

It should only show RAM as 3.2GB in 32-bit if 4GB is installed....

[vDroop]

Windows 7 system properties will show all the ram you have plugged into it. But only utilize what it is capable of.

Open your task manager and look there. It will show 3.5something...

[crossmr]

[Giant]

bottom line is you will not see any advantage unless you have more than 4GB of ram. So why bother?

[wormholes101]

A 64 bit system not only allows your to use more RAM, but it doubles the amount of data a CPU can process per clock cycle. Your computer can process information faster.

It pays off when you use programs that do intensive work such as audio/video encoding and games.

So, what is the most intensive work your computer does?

[shutterbugguy]

Remember that the low-cost video cards used today often don't have memory on them, and instead allocate part of the system RAM towards Video memory. Dumb idea in my opinion, but low-end PC/laptop makers look for every way to keep their price down to be competitive.

[Beeyee]

[wesharris]