It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussion (archive)32 or 64bit?(22 posts)solved(22 posts)solved
(22 posts)solved
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Posted December 29, 2009
I'm planning on getting Windows 7 through this offer, and I don't know which version to get.
I don't have a 64 bit computer right now, but I'm planning on building one in the next year or two.
My question is: do I get the 64 bit version and sit on it until I get around to building a computer that can use it, or do I get the 32 bit version that I can use now?
This question / problem has been solved by melchizimage
Posted December 29, 2009
Get the 32 bit. 64-bit, while really cool and utterly futureproof is still rough around the edges, so to speak. Things like the odd incompatible driver or game can really get you frustrated, and so sometimes I wish I had 32-bit 7. Also, Windows 7 is loads better than any Windows version so you should get the version that you can use right now anyway.
Posted December 29, 2009
Hmm... The problem is that my current computers are nearing the end of their lives, so I don't know that I'd get much use out of 7.
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
Kalas: Hmm... The problem is that my current computers are nearing the end of their lives, so I don't know that I'd get much use out of 7.

Well it's a matter of choice. If your computer is *that* old then go 64-bit. If your computer can live a little while longer then don't, get 32.
Posted December 29, 2009
According to your link, the offer is for the retail versions of Windows 7. Retail versions of Windows 7 have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions in the box.
Therefore, you do not need to make a choice!
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
melchiz: According to your link, the offer is for the retail versions of Windows 7. Retail versions of Windows 7 have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions in the box.
Therefore, you do not need to make a choice!

Huh? It says it's a download version. And being Digital River, I know that the download is EITHER 32 or 64.
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
melchiz: According to your link, the offer is for the retail versions of Windows 7. Retail versions of Windows 7 have both the 32-bit and 64-bit editions in the box.
Therefore, you do not need to make a choice!
avatar
michaelleung: Huh? It says it's a download version. And being Digital River, I know that the download is EITHER 32 or 64.

Exactly, but, because I have dial-up and don't download anything bigger than two megabytes, I'll be getting the backup disk as well, do you know if that has both versions?
Posted December 29, 2009
If you will get 4 GB or more RAM go and buy 64 Bit. If you don't just buy 32 Bit and use it now.
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
Kalas: Exactly, but, because I have dial-up and don't download anything bigger than two megabytes, I'll be getting the backup disk as well, do you know if that has both versions?

Just get discs for both. I don't see why this is an issue, because a retail license (if you read the FAQs at the student offer site, they tell you that you are getting a RETAIL license, not an academic one) allows you both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of the OS. If they make you pay a fee for backup discs of each one ($10-20 per copy), so what? If you think that you can use both, use both.
If, for some strange reason, you decide that you will only get one version, get the 64-bit version. There is absolutely no reason to upgrade your old machines. As for a newer machine you may acquire, you will find that 64-bit is the way to go.
Post edited December 29, 2009 by melchiz
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
michaelleung: Huh? It says it's a download version. And being Digital River, I know that the download is EITHER 32 or 64.
avatar
Kalas: Exactly, but, because I have dial-up and don't download anything bigger than two megabytes, I'll be getting the backup disk as well, do you know if that has both versions?

The backup disc isn't a proper retail disc... I think. So it probably only has one version.
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
michaelleung: Huh? It says it's a download version. And being Digital River, I know that the download is EITHER 32 or 64.

Yes, but you get BOTH editions with your purchase, since it is a retail license. You may download both as long as it is within the 30 or so days that Digital River allows.
I am trying to sign up for this to see if the above is true. They claim that this is a retail license, so if they do not allow you both the 32-bit and 64-bit version of the OS with your single purchase, they are screwing you. Only the OEM and volume/academic licenses of Windows are limited in that way.
EDIT: I looked over it, and it appears that Digital River is once again boning consumers. A retail license entitles you to both editions, not just one. Screw them.
Anyway, I say go with the 64-bit edition because there is no point in upgrading your old machines when you could instead put it on a new box, for which you should use a more future-proof version (64-bit).
Post edited December 29, 2009 by melchiz
Posted December 29, 2009
Definitely go for 64 bit. 32 is getting to the point of death now, pretty sure that intel & amd don't make 32bit cpus anymore, games are starting to come with dual core recommended (and that being a requirement isn't ever far behind) memory is getting cheap enough that soon it'll be assumed everyone has 8GB and one day 32 bit will stop being supported so you might as well make the change now rather than later. In all my time using 64bit OS' (Both Vista Ultimate and 7), I have not had a single driver issue that wasn't because of HP being cunts when it comes to releasing ANY drivers (or support at all) for their laptops
Of course if the disc you get has both then you're gold but my copy from digital river was an OEM and 64bit only so you may have the same deal as me. By the look of what melchiz just edited, you'll get one so go 64.
Post edited December 29, 2009 by Aliasalpha
Posted December 29, 2009
Thank you everyone for your input! :-)
I was leaning towards the 64 bit version for many of the same reasons it was recommended; I just wanted a second, more informed opinion.
Posted December 29, 2009
I just wanted to point out that I've been running 64 bit windows Vista for about 2 years and have not had a single driver malfunction - or any issues running any program so far.
This leads me to think that the 64-bit-won't-run-my-software is mostly some kind of scare that doesn't hold a lot of water.
Also, you can run 64 bit windows with less than 4 GB of ram. You will see a tiny drop in performance but its negligible, so there is no reason not to go with the 64 bit version.
As mentioned above though, you are entitled to get both versions.
Even if digital river screws you over - you can contact Microsoft with your legit key and get replacement copies which should contain both versions. Unless they are selling OEM version keys in which case: shame on them.
Posted December 29, 2009
avatar
Aliasalpha: Definitely go for 64 bit. 32 is getting to the point of death now, pretty sure that intel & amd don't make 32bit cpus anymore, games are starting to come with dual core recommended (and that being a requirement isn't ever far behind) memory is getting cheap enough that soon it'll be assumed everyone has 8GB and one day 32 bit will stop being supported so you might as well make the change now rather than later. In all my time using 64bit OS' (Both Vista Ultimate and 7), I have not had a single driver issue that wasn't because of HP being cunts when it comes to releasing ANY drivers (or support at all) for their laptops

All valid points, but the thing that has led me to seriously consider going back to 32-bit when I upgrade to Win7 (from my current Vista64), is that certain old games are flat-out impossible to get running on 64-bit OS's, because the executables are 16-bit. I must admit that I dont understand that OS limitation, but they only support the current and the previous "bitrate" (that's not the word I was looking for, but the best I could come up with) of executables.
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussion (archive)32 or 64bit?(22 posts)solved(22 posts)solved
(22 posts)solved