Better for Gaming? 64 / 32 Bit

**Christopher7xii** · 11-01-2009, 05:00 PM

I have

3gb PC3200
AMD Athalon 64 3700+ (single core)

Would it be better for me to run Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit? I primarily game on this computer.

I know it's more forward thinking to move up to 64-bit, but I plan on just building a whole new rig entirely a year from now. Just wondering with my current set up if I should install Windows 7 32 or 64 for optimal performance?

**flutie98** · 11-01-2009, 05:33 PM

Unless you have >4GB or RAM or a 64bit app you know you want to run, there is no paint of doing 64bit right this moment. Know that which ever version of windows your buy you can use the Key for either version down the road.

**Nater** · 11-01-2009, 05:45 PM

Really no point in 64-bit for you, however, if you ever build a new system, definitely do 64-bit. Even at 4GB, 64-bit is not really necessary (say a system with four 1GB DIMMs). It's when you get into the 6-8GB range that you should really switch to 64-bit. Any new build short of a netbook should run 64-bit today. If you have applications that for some reason will only run in a 32-bit version of Windows, that's what VMWare is for.

**Spaceman Spiff** · 11-01-2009, 07:13 PM

Right now, with that system, no question 32-bit makes the most sense.

However, if you're into gaming (as you say you are), than chances are you're going to need to upgrade in the near future, in which case you'll probably buy yourself a system that can utilize a 64-bit OS.
Just something to keep in mind if you plan on building or buying a new system relatively soon. 64-bit definitely makes the most sense for the future.

**James** · 11-01-2009, 10:53 PM

64-bit.

**dimmy32** · 11-03-2009, 08:45 AM

I went from 32-bit to 64-bit Windows 7.
I can tell you in real-world usage, some apps run faster and some run the same.
Games dont really run any smoother, but some do load up faster. I have 4 gigs of ram.

Overall its worth getting 64-bit. I have no compatibility issues at all.

**monroeski** · 01-16-2010, 02:46 PM

Seems like I remember hearing a lot of stories a few years ago about a lot of driver incompatibility with 64 bit windows. Is that still much of an issue now that it's been in circulation for a few more years?

I also seem to remember a lot of stories about antivirus software not working with 64 bit, but I assume that got fixed pretty quickly.

**Nater** · 01-16-2010, 04:49 PM

I have Windows 7 x64 and I haven't had any problems with any piece of software made in the last five years. I think most of the 64-bit worries are left over from XP x64, Vista fixed most of those problems and 7 seems to be even better.

I kinda doubt that Windows 8 will have a 32-bit version, except for maybe Starter.

**Timman_24** · 01-17-2010, 02:05 AM

The only issue I've had is when I downloaded the ETS GRE practice program to try a practice test. They were using a program from the 90's and it would not run on the comp. This is very rare though.

**Spaceman Spiff** · 01-17-2010, 08:01 AM

I ran 64-bit Vista Business from about early 2007 on, and have been running Windows 7 HP 64 since release.

I honestly can't think of a single incident of incompatibility for any of my programs in that time. Even most of my old Win9.x games and apps run fine.
I have yet to find a free anti-virus program worth anything that won't run on a 64-bit system.

I wouldn't sweat it.

**kent1146** · 01-18-2010, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by Christopher7xii

I have

3gb PC3200
AMD Athalon 64 3700+ (single core)

Would it be better for me to run Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit? I primarily game on this computer.

I know it's more forward thinking to move up to 64-bit, but I plan on just building a whole new rig entirely a year from now. Just wondering with my current set up if I should install Windows 7 32 or 64 for optimal performance?

You will get absolutely ZERO BENEFIT IN GAMING between 32-bit and 64-bit. Zero. Nada. Nothing.

The only real reason for 98% of the people out there to go with 64-bit is if they have >4GB of RAM (since 32-bit can only see 3.5GB max). The other 2% of the people out there will go 64-bit because they have specific applications that are optimized for 64-bit (e.g. Photoshop). But again, this means ZERO benefit to you in gaming.

Having said that, there really isn't a reason NOT to go 64-bit, especially if you are considering Windows 7 64-bit. Just about anything will run just fine in Win7 x64.

**Geforce255** · 01-18-2010, 03:55 PM

Yeah, 64 bit Windows XP was pretty horrible. But Microsoft and the vendors have cleaned it up since then. Both Vista and 7 work fine in 64 bit, with virtually all drivers available. Basically, if a driver is out for Vista/7 - it will be available in 64 bit versions.

**Spank_Me_Hard** · 01-19-2010, 02:52 PM

As has been mentioned, no reason at the moment.

Though, my own theory is that it's important to keep upgradeability in the future in mind. And as such, I'd recommend 64 bit.

Who knows when games will start coming out that will start requiring or recommending more than the 3GB ish that the 32 bit supports?

It certainly doesn't hurt anything to go 64 bit at the moment and just be done with it.

**LordVampyre** · 01-24-2010, 08:32 PM

I found I didnt have enough 64bit programs to warrent using 64bit.. and I saw no change in them when I went from 64bit back to 32..

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