x64 for older PC?

ET3D · Dec 18, 2010, 05:30 PM

I remember someone telling me, perhaps Judas, that Windows 7 x64 works better than x86 for Atom PC's. I figure if that's the case then it would also be a good idea to install it on an older PC. I have a PC with a Core 2 Duo at 2.13GHz, 2GB of RAM which I'm giving to my brother in law and I'll install a copy of Windows 7 Home on it so he could run the latest games (up to the hardware limitations, naturally). Just wanted to make sure installing the x64 version was the right way to go. Thanks.

IvanV · Dec 18, 2010, 05:48 PM

For most intents and purposes, he won't see much of a difference. I've seen games (which are almost all 32-bit) run both a tad faster and a tad slower on 64-bit Windows compared to 32-bit and the differences are lmost always within +/-5%. When he comes across a 64-bit application, an archiver, codec, or possibly a game (Crysis Demo springs to mind out of the stuff I've played), he may see a small benefit.

I also remember that there are some under the hood things (but I no longer remember which, I think they were memory management and security related) in Vista and 7 which, for some reason, MS hasn't been able to do as well in 32-bit version as in the 64-bit one, so that's a small plus, yet on the other hand 32-bit OS would consume a pinch less RAM.

So I don't think there's an absolutely clear winner, but that also means that going 64-bit isn't a mistake either.

OldBuzzard · Dec 18, 2010, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ET3D

I remember someone telling me, perhaps Judas, that Windows 7 x64 works better than x86 for Atom PC's. ...

Not all Atoms are 64-bit. Here's a page that will tell you which ones are and which ones aren't
Intel® Atom™ Processor Specifications

Personally, I think that the ONLY time that anyone should install a 32-bit version of either Vista or 7 is if they only have a 32-bit CPU.

Not using a 64-bit OS with a 64-bit CPU is just wasting it's capabilities.

ET3D · Dec 18, 2010, 10:11 PM

Thanks. I also considered that installing x64 means he'll be able to make use of extra memory in the future (that is, when I upgrade my current PC and give him some of the memory in it).

Dec 18, 2010, 05:30 PM	#1
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	x64 for older PC? I remember someone telling me, perhaps Judas, that Windows 7 x64 works better than x86 for Atom PC's. I figure if that's the case then it would also be a good idea to install it on an older PC. I have a PC with a Core 2 Duo at 2.13GHz, 2GB of RAM which I'm giving to my brother in law and I'll install a copy of Windows 7 Home on it so he could run the latest games (up to the hardware limitations, naturally). Just wanted to make sure installing the x64 version was the right way to go. Thanks. __________________ ET's Place ET's Place competition list

Dec 18, 2010, 05:48 PM	#2
IvanV HH Assassin Guild Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 5,921 Rep Power: 336 System Specs	Re: x64 for older PC? For most intents and purposes, he won't see much of a difference. I've seen games (which are almost all 32-bit) run both a tad faster and a tad slower on 64-bit Windows compared to 32-bit and the differences are lmost always within +/-5%. When he comes across a 64-bit application, an archiver, codec, or possibly a game (Crysis Demo springs to mind out of the stuff I've played), he may see a small benefit. I also remember that there are some under the hood things (but I no longer remember which, I think they were memory management and security related) in Vista and 7 which, for some reason, MS hasn't been able to do as well in 32-bit version as in the 64-bit one, so that's a small plus, yet on the other hand 32-bit OS would consume a pinch less RAM. So I don't think there's an absolutely clear winner, but that also means that going 64-bit isn't a mistake either. __________________ If anyone has Portal 2 and hasn't played the co-op and wants to do me a favour, let me know (PM me or whatever).

Dec 18, 2010, 10:11 PM	Thread Starter #4
ET3D Hopeless Dreamer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dreamland, near the pool of infinite graphics cards Posts: 3,057 Rep Power: 105 System Specs	Re: x64 for older PC? Thanks. I also considered that installing x64 means he'll be able to make use of extra memory in the future (that is, when I upgrade my current PC and give him some of the memory in it). __________________ ET's Place ET's Place competition list