Windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit?

[thunda]

I need some help here. I just picked up Windows 7 and am not sure which to install (32 bit or 64 bit). I want to use the one that will be best for my system but I don't know much about computers.

I have an HP Media Center PC m8100n. It has an AMD athlon 64 x2 5600+ processor with a 500GB hard drive and 3 GB RAM, expandable up to 8 GB RAM.

We use the internet alot, have photoshop cs3, itunes, and will be using a video editing software pretty soon. And obviously use Word, etc.

Any ideas on which one I should upgrade to? I'm currently running 32 bit Vista and would have to do a "clean" install to upgrade to 64 bit Windows 7. I've never done anything like a clean install before and wonder how tough that is to do for the first time if I were to upgrade to 64 bit version. Any suggestions?

[DJ Manyak]

Originally Posted by thunda

I need some help here. I just picked up Windows 7 and am not sure which to install (32 bit or 64 bit). I want to use the one that will be best for my system but I don't know much about computers.

I have an HP Media Center PC m8100n. It has an AMD athlon 64 x2 5600+ processor with a 500GB hard drive and 3 GB RAM, expandable up to 8 GB RAM.

We use the internet alot, have photoshop cs3, itunes, and will be using a video editing software pretty soon. And obviously use Word, etc.

Any ideas on which one I should upgrade to? I'm currently running 32 bit Vista and would have to do a "clean" install to upgrade to 64 bit Windows 7. I've never done anything like a clean install before and wonder how tough that is to do for the first time if I were to upgrade to 64 bit version. Any suggestions?

64-bit FTW

[Polygon]

You're about at the max memory you can use with 32bit. I would suggest going with 64bit in case you decide to get more memory in the future.

[thunda]

Originally Posted by Polygon

You're about at the max memory you can use with 32bit. I would suggest going with 64bit in case you decide to get more memory in the future.

I do plan on expanding RAM fairly soon.

[thunda]

If I go the 64 bit route and do the clean install...How much time should I set aside for it and how difficult is the process? Remember, I've never done that before and am not the most computer literate person. (I've just never bothered to understand much of this stuff).

[DJ Manyak]

Originally Posted by thunda

If I go the 64 bit route and do the clean install...How much time should I set aside for it and how difficult is the process? Remember, I've never done that before and am not the most computer literate person. (I've just never bothered to understand much of this stuff).

400 formatted 100 un-formatted and if you need to repartition down the road for more space just get partition magic.

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by thunda

I need some help here. I just picked up Windows 7 and am not sure which to install (32 bit or 64 bit). I want to use the one that will be best for my system but I don't know much about computers.

I have an HP Media Center PC m8100n. It has an AMD athlon 64 x2 5600+ processor with a 500GB hard drive and 3 GB RAM, expandable up to 8 GB RAM.

We use the internet alot, have photoshop cs3, itunes, and will be using a video editing software pretty soon. And obviously use Word, etc.

Any ideas on which one I should upgrade to? I'm currently running 32 bit Vista and would have to do a "clean" install to upgrade to 64 bit Windows 7. I've never done anything like a clean install before and wonder how tough that is to do for the first time if I were to upgrade to 64 bit version. Any suggestions?

64 bit bud...

[caliblue15]

Originally Posted by thunda

If I go the 64 bit route and do the clean install...How much time should I set aside for it and how difficult is the process? Remember, I've never done that before and am not the most computer literate person. (I've just never bothered to understand much of this stuff).

If you don't want to keep any of your files or already have them backed up, I'd set 2 hrs away, and its easy as pressing a few buttons.

You will have to go into custom install of windows 7 though and reformat your HDD to do a clean install.

2hrs isn't just for loading up Windows 7, its to download all your updates, and programs you love, as the whole process only takes like 30 mins, from what I can remember.

[BDestroyer8418]

you got a 64 bit CPU go 64 even though yo only have 3GB of Ram right now.
Also I recommend using Windows 7 backup install everything that you use daily and or weekly and UPDATE it all and run the installed backup option to another HDD or EXT HDD if you don't have one I would go invest in one you don't need a huge one you could find a 250GB for cheap and will get the job done.

Good Luck - Windows 7 installs fast

Make sure you have all your data backed up already then doing a clean install is best. 2hrs would be the min to get you up and going again really shouldn't take that long unless you have alot of programs to install (like me) once you get it going how you want it. Do Windows backup I mentioned that way if your system crashes (by installing something/downloading) you can go back to normal. There's also more options in there for maintenance backup and etc