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Windows 7: 64-bit or 32-bit? Memory and performance
By Michael Pietroforte | 13 Comments | Permalink | Trackback | Previous | Next- Windows 7 x64 or Windows 7 x86? My experiences with Vista 64-bit
- Vista x64 vs. Vista x86 – 32 bit or 64 bit Vista edition?
- Windows 7: 64-bit or 32-bit? Memory and performance
- Windows 7 64-bit vs. Windows 7 32-bit – Hardware and software compatibility
- Vista x64 contra Vista x86? Does 64-bit offer better performance than 32-bit?
- Vista x64 vs. Vista x86? Is software compatibility still an issue?
- Vista x86 or Vista x64? What about hardware compatibility?
- Poll: Vista x86 or Vista x64? What is your choice?
- Poll results: Vista x86 vs. Vista x64
In my last post, I described my experiences with Vista x64. Today I will focus on two important topics related to the Windows 7 64-bit vs. Windows 32-bit controversy: memory and performance.
Memory
The most significant advantage of a 64-bit system is that it can use more than 4GB of RAM. One thing that has changed since I last concerned myself with this topic is that most new desktops and laptops now come with at least 4GB of RAM. The problem is that like Vista, Windows 7 x86 is capable of only using about 3 GB of RAM. By contrast, Windows 7 x64 cannot only make use of up to 16TB 192GB RAM, but is capable of using the memory remapping feature of modern BIOSes, which allows the operating system to really use the complete 4GB. Thus, if you install Windows 7 64-bit on a 4 GB machine you won’t waste 1 GB of RAM like you would with Windows 7 32-bit.
Moreover, it is only a matter of time until 3GB will no longer be enough for modern applications. One example is Windows 7’s XP Mode feature, which allows you to use legacy applications within a virtual machine running within Windows XP. This feature might prove to be useful for other purposes, for example running Office 2007 and Office 2003 on the same computer simultaneously. Since XP needs 512 MB-1GB to run properly, XP Mode is a RAM eater. As such, if you now deploy Windows 7 32-bit then you might be soon want to move to 64-bit, just because you will have to upgrade your machines with new memory. My own laptop has 8 GB of RAM and I can tell you that I need every byte of it. I’m lucky that my laptop supports up to 16GB.
Performance
In a previous article about Vista x64, I outlined how the 64-bit version will usually only perform better as it allows you to use more memory, rather than because of its computing capacity. Only applications that are optimized for 64-bit will run faster than their 32-bit counterparts. There are now significantly more 64-bit apps out there than a year ago, but don’t make the mistake of thinking that they will be faster than their 32-bit counterpart. Usually, there is only a special 64-bit edition because the 32-bit version wouldn’t run properly on a 64-bit Windows OS.
This is different only for some performance-dependent application types, such as mathematical software or video editing programs. Hence, if you have software whose vendor explicitly endorses 64-bit, then you might notice improved speed with Windows 7 x64.
On the other hand, Windows 7 64-bit won’t slow down your computer. There might be a little overhead in some computations because it logically takes longer to process 64 than 32 bits. However, in practice you won’t realize the difference. All performance tests I’ve seen prove that in most cases there is simply no noteworthy difference between 64-bit and 32-bit when it comes to performance.
However, this might soon change. There is no doubt that the future belongs to 64-bit. More and more software vendors will offer special 64-bit editions of their applications as time goes on. The most prominent software will be Microsoft Office 2010, which will also have a 64-bit variant. It remains to be seen whether Excel or Access will perform better in 64-bit.
In the next article of this series, I will cover Windows 7 64-bit’s software and hardware compatibility.
I had no idea that 32-bit architectures could only handle a maximum of 3 GB of ram.
Shocking that computer companies will allow you to build and ship a 32 bit system that has more.
Yeah it is really funny. Most 4GB machines you see in the shelves these days come with Vista x86. This false belief that 32-bit supports 4GB is widespread.
Your article contains a factual error: “Windows 7 x64 cannot only make use of up to 16TB RAM”. 16TB is simply one of the theoretical limits. In fact, no version of Windows 7 can address more than 192GB of RAM (not that it makes a huge difference).
Donald, thanks! I corrected the article. I think there is a huge difference between 16TB and 192GB.
Windows 7 x64’s maximum RAM depends on what edition you have. You can only upgrade to 192 GB on Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate. The other editions support less maximum RAM.
http://community.winsupersite.com/blogs/paul/archive/2009/04/25/revealed-more-windows-7-rc-details.aspx
can you have windows vista 64bit and/or windows 7 on a 32bit system or would it not work
email me asap
dave21raidrs@aol.com
We just bought 3 computers for our business and they all have Windows 7 Home Premium on them. It has a 64 bit and I tried loading our business software but when it wouldn’t load I called support and they told me the program only works with 32 bit. I’m guessing our only solution is to down-grade to XP so it will work. We hate Vista and won’t use that. I’m assuming we can’t change the windows 7 bit as I understand they have a 32 bit. This is just confusing and I’m really getting disgusted with the whole deal. I tried booting with our XP Professional upgrade but it didn’t recognize that we had a previous windows operating system. Any ideas? Of course microsoft support won’t help. On a new machine we should get free support.
You could use your software with XP Mode. Another option is to install the 32-bit version of Windows 7.
What happens if I load windows xp7-x64 not -x32 on a computer using only 2g ddr2 ram?
hello , the perfect OS for computer is MACINTASH snow leopard
Macintash? Thanks Mehrdad I’ll look out for that one. does it come with a spell checker?
I have Windows 7 Home premium x64 edition. My laptop has 4 Gigs of ram. I am a student and use it primarily for school and research and reading. I multi-task like crazy. sometimes 4 and 5 internet windows open receiving live feeds, word documents, pdf, downloads, etc… and i do this all at the same time split screen all that, and windows handles everything perfectly. I have no problems and have been quite shocked as to the performance level of windows7 x64. I am not the most computer savvy person however. Other than keeping lotsa junk off my startup programs, and not leaving millions of old applications installed, and clearing your internet files, is there other ways to maximize my use of ram so it can be more focused with performance.
In reply to mehrdad — December 18, 2009 about macintosh. IMO mac is the worst OS out there, hardly any progs work with it and having to mount everything is pretty bogus in my opinion….takes way too long to install programs. Mac is a minority and always will be.