Windows 7 64bit on low specs computer

Hello everyone! Here is my question. Will Windows 7 64bit slow down an old computer with below specs: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 1.80Gb RAM: 1.50GB HDD: 80GB GPU: Nvidia 8400GS My specs really are not designed for 64bit performance, I only have 1.50GB RAM. Would you guys think that it would be faster with 32bit Windows 7? Thanks in advance.

You won't notice a performance decrease. If you notice anything at all, you'll notice an increase.

You'll notice it more if you install more RAM, simply because a 64-bit operating system can address over 4GB of RAM.

Speaking from experience though, you might find it difficult to get Windows 7 64-bit working on an old system. You also need to weigh up whether you need a 64-bit OS. Although it's getting better, you can't always guarantee that your hardware will have 64-bit Windows 7 drivers. Support for wifi cards in particular is somewhat lacking.

My advice is to try Windows 7 64-bit and see if it works. If it does, stick with it. If it doesn't, then switch to the 32 bit version.


I hope that helps,
Nahumi

Hi Jaydeee, Your system, regardless of the amount of RAM, would not run (intensive) applications that would benefit from 64bit. Your CPU would not be up to it for starters. If anything, you would probably end up with a slower system, not faster and with lots of software and hardware issues to deal with as well. You are probably running 32 bit compatible software and hardware. 64 bit is backward compatible with 32 bit software code, but it is not compatible with 16 bit software code (a 32 bit OS is) and lots of 32 bit software still has 16 bit code in it. As with everything else in life, an OS is only as good as it's weakest link, so excluding RAM ( a bit more needed) and possibly your VC as I think there is a 64 bit driver for it, your CPU if you want to run games and maybe lot of your software, will be weak links. The W7 is a good idea (make sure you can get drivers for your hardware first), but with a bit more added RAM. Unless you have have a defined need to run programs that will benefit from a 64 bit system and you have the 64 bit compatible software and hardware to suit, I wouldn't even contemplate 64 bit for your PC. It would be like putting a V8 motor into a VW to use for local shopping …a crazy idea. I'd be using the cost of W7 Ultimate to upgrade hardware instead. The belief that 'everything' runs twice as fast or at least a lot faster with 64 bit on ANY computer with ANY software and hardware is a myth and turning a slow PC into a speed demon, is another one Cheers, Lee Edited.

32-bit and 64-bit Windows: frequently asked questions

arTech

thank you very much every one! overall my pc is running better than when it has windows xp 32bit. Its built in sound controller are the only one not having windows default driver, good that the board has driver for it.